Real Life Smack Down

Whew!  It is done! 

And, thank the Lord for COFFEE!!!

The culmination of the Week from Hell was this weekend, with dance recital rehearsal and then show on Father's Day!

The rehearsal day was the usual, very long, very drawn out.  A lot of work goes into a show with about 300 kids and 45 acts. 

Pumpkin had three performances, and therefore 2 costume changes.  First was hip hop, followed by tap, then ballet.  The shows theme was broadway, but for hip hop the songs were just popular hits. 

I did the changes at the rehearsal, but on Sunday, my sister came up and did it with Pumpkin.  She did that last year to help out and it was really nice because it let's me really relax and enjoy the show, and the fruits of running her around all year to three dance classes.  Plus she gets time really bonding with Pumpkin.

It is hard for me wrestling those stocking on and off sweaty legs and doing it awkward positions with my rheumatoid arthritis.  Thanks Kathy - you are a lifesaver!!!!  And, Pumpkin loves that you do that 'just for her' wink wink, nudge nudge!!!

Pumpkins hip hop song was Hollaback Girl (the clean version) by Gwen Stefani.  The dance was great both days, but the day of the show it was phenomenal!  Pumpkin was actually center stage leading the group at times, it was very cool!

Tap was Pinball Wizard from Tommy!  They actually had the girls perform as if they were mad and annoyed and there were 3 girls mouthing the words, and Pumpkin was one of those!  She mouthed, 'How do you think he does it?' and it was great... it looked so over exaggerated with hand movements at home when practiced, but on stage.... perfect!!!  The tap steps were also much harder this year than last...you can see that the girls really have advanced!

Last but not least, was ballet with Pick a Pocket or Two from Oliver.  It was adorable, Pumpkin was one of Fagin's pick pockets as were all the older girls in her class, and they were teamed up with younger girls playing the orphans that they were trying to convert!  Adorable and well acted and well danced!

The show was about 3 hours long!  A long day! 

We went out afterward to a nice dinner for Father's Day!  My dad picked the restaurant and the choice was excellent!  I had the best Chicken Cordon Bleu I have ever had.  Mmmmmmm, I will be remembering it for a while! 

My Hubby and Dad were great sports about the day being mostly not theirs!  They both enjoyed seeing Pumpkin so much, I think it made up for it! 

Pumpkin was very sweet and at dinner she made everyone stop for a minute and listen to her and then she thanked Daddy and Grandpa for sharing their day with her.  Very sweet... she is a special little girl!!!

As for me, well, I have been smacked down!  lol  Not surprising, after the crazy ten days and having to cope with chronic disease and pain, true.

I am tired and sore but trying my best to keep up with the kids today!  They let me sleep until 11am... very generous of them!

I am so terribly behind on reading journals!  I am so sorry and I promise to try to catch up later this week!

be well,
Dawn