This is a long and overdue post.
As many of you know, KC and Pherry attend dance school. KC does the traditional ones---ballet, tap and jazz and modern hiphop, Pherry does hiphop with her. So, on Wednesdays, they go for 1 hour class with about 30 minutes drive to their school. Kc does her traditional dances on Saturday, she goes for 2 hrs. for those 3 dances. They attend
Gold School in Brockton MA. It is one of the most respected dance schools in the South Shore. Their recitals and performances are really worth it. Why do you think we drive 30 minutes everytime just to attend the school? Simple---because it is the best! From their receptionists (they are sweethearts), to the teachers and the parents.
But as any other event, the dance recitals are stressful. The Gold School always slate their recitals on Memorial Day weekend. So, they had dress rehearsals the day before the performance, which parents can take videos and pictures. This is really frustrating, why? Well, they say it is your chance to do so, but then someone's yelling, stopping the dance, some kids are missing... and such. I understand it is a rehearsal but then they should at least allow a "no announcement-no interruption" after all those major corrections. Why does this matter too much to me? Because they do not allow you to take pictures and videos on performance day---which is rather good---but.... they sell DVDs and pictures that are way too expensive and so general--- like who want to watch an overpriced DVD for 2-3 hours to see your child dance for 3 minutes and may not even be focused? More so, because KC and Pherry's hip hop performance were in the second show... I have to buy 2 DVDs! Isn't that a joke? First of all, I have to buy 2 sets of tickets for family and friends to watch both performances ( KC and Pherry dance only the hiphop on the second show---nothing else) and now, I need to buy 2 DVDs---all for a whopping $60.00!!! Second, because they are put on the second show for the hiphop, we were basically there for a whole day! Hopefully, they can fix the schedule better next time. I stress--- no 2 sets of tickets and no expensive DVDs---please!
Ok, so now the venting is over. We went to the dress rehearsals with my "mommy arsenal". Ponytails, costumes, shoes, makeup, bobby pins, safety pins, gloves, fans, hats, bodysuits, nylons and the school checklist. All set to go! We arrived there a little late because I was not familiar with the place---am not used driving there because Mr. Hubbs usually brings them--- which that day for some reason he decided to go fishing!
If you are surrounded by little girls and boys in beautiful colorful costumes, it is very destressing for me. Those little bumblebees and ballerinas are just too cute.
Here's me doing my "mommy-is-not-stressed" job.
She missed the tap dance rehearsal. But here she is with the Spanish Nutcracker ballet. If you ask me, they are live dolls. The girl in the middle would be a star! She is an awesome ballerina!
This is a video of their Spanish Nutcracker ballet
Here she is in her jazz costume. They have this boy in this class that is awesome! I think he is a star!
Here's a video of their tap dance performance. Watch out for that little boy.
Isn't he a natural?
While waiting for her dance routines as well as their hiphop dances, I took some photos which I believe describe the chaos and beauty of parenthood.
I have to ask 4 times to take this picture. They are such happy girls they can not stop talking to each other and like they have not seen each other for a very long time.
Needless to say, I do not want to be their teacher. Teachers are the most patient.
Despite the high cost of their costumes, I truly love seeing the girls so beautiful.
... and how could your heart not be happy when you see this?
For our lunch, we went to McDonald's and scoured the townsquare to get those silly bands. Nothing! Good! They are way too expensive. We went back to practice and waited for their hiphop. I think is is more tiring for me to wait than to actually do my mommy job. I was so glad I did not bring Joshua with me because then he would have been bored and driving me nuts. After all the craziness, we got our second wind by late afternoon. We did a little "happy pictorial". Here are the photos:
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Then, we went crazy looking for tap shoes. KC has the superb ability to lose everything, in a moment. I kid you not. We went to 2 dance stores and unfortunately because of the upcoming holiday, they closed early. My last shot was at the mall for Payless Shoes. They carry dance stuff but I was very sure they did not carry tan tap shoes. I tried and of course they did not have any at all. They offered to order it for me but the performance is the following day. Since I was at the mall already, I went for a quest of the "Magic Bun." It's this little gadget that makes making a bun so easy. I saw it on one of the girls and her mom said I could find it at Claire's.
Boy, they have different kinds. I got Hairagami brand which turned out to be very difficult to work with specially with KC's long limp hair.
Here's the hairagami one.
But this is the easier, more user friendly one.
These are my new bestfriends. Putting KC's hair is a breeze. No more fighting. Hahhaha.
Here's how it looks.
We went to Justice ( KC's favorite shopping destination) and got a few bargains. I love this bag and hat with the scarf.
We got this flower print blazer. Since it is with hint of greens and blues, KC loved it. The dress is chiffon and so soft. I think we got them both for only $10.00. Yes!
I did not find any tap shoes. I contacted Margie ( one of the nice receptionists in school) if she can find me on the lost and found bucket. So off to rest and sleep for the big day tomorrow.
Recital day is a family event for us. As with other families, it is the culmination of a year long dancing, practices and the saga of beautiful art. For my family, I am always excited to see them on stage, whether it is something they accomplished in school or extra curricular activities. I try to let my kids participate in activities but not to the point where they are so exhausted. I invited family and friends to come watch with us. Even my mother-in-law who had a stroke recently came. My close friends came too. The show as always is very impressive. I loved how they only let late comers enter in between dances. Of course there are still "divas" who insist to be seated when they wanted, but the volunteer parents and students were very good in telling them not to disrupt everyone just because they were late. Over all the show was great! Here are the pictures we had AFTER the performance.
My in-laws Good friends Sol and Stephen Tita Sol and Tita HG congratulating Kuya Pherry Vinceter is the sweetest. He always take time to take beautiful pictures of my family. My beautiful princess My first born is growing up so fast. Here is ChristoPher ryan KC is always irritated when her hhair is up. She likes it down and loose Mr. Hubbs may not say it so often but he is more excited and proud than me, everytime
I cherish moments like this
Proud parents, yes we are
... and proud little bro. This Fall, Josh will be doing hiphop too
Here are random pictures I took during the chaos.
... and the day ends in barbecues and beers with family and friends. I believe everything is more fun and enjoyable inspite of the chaos and body aches when you are with friends. I do this every year and yet it seems to be a new thing everytime. The chaos, the missing bobby pins, the unironed dress, the missing hair accesories, the missing shoes------ and on and on...
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