The Recital

Lilly has been going to the St. Cloud School of Dance and Gymnastics on Tuesday nights for the past few months. Even though we've been dealing with a little separation anxiety, it is something she truly enjoys doing. She has a bounce in her step, and her personality is quite bubbly, so this extra-curricular activity has been very fitting. Lilly is as "girly-girl" as they come. She's been waiting to put this princess costume on since the minute it came through our front door. In fact, it's been neatly hanging in her closet for close to a month...and just about every night she'd ask me how much longer until she could wear it.

Lilly was so proud and felt so beautiful the minute she stepped into it today. In fact, I didn't even have to deal with the tights rubbing wrong, or the tu-tu begin itchy, or the tag scratching her in the back. (On a typical day, if one thing...even the tiniest thing feels uncomfortable, off goes the outfit! Some mornings it takes three pairs of socks until she finds a pair that is comfortable. I've actually had to give up on matching outfits some mornings, just to keep the peace.) Anyway, she was in ahhhh over the whole outfit. Even if something was bothering her, all she could think about was how beautiful she looked and felt.

She picked out nail polish and had me paint her nails, put on her own eyeshadow, and insisted on curling her hair. (I usually have to beg to fix her hair!) After she felt put together, she looked me straight in the eyes and gave me the sweetest, most innocent smile I have ever seen. It truly melted my heart! My heart swelled with love for my sweet little princess. She wore this pride on her sleeve and skipped over to the mirror and said, "I can't wait to show my daddy. He is probably going to cry when he sees me." That alone brought tears to my eyes.

She pranced down to the kitchen and called for her dad. Like a little angel she stood waiting for his approval. I could tell by the look in his eyes that his heart was overflowing with love and pride too.

Lilly told Nolan that he was not allowed to bring any toys to the recital, because he had to make sure he was paying attention. She didn't him to miss any part of her performance. With confidence, she told him that she was going to dance like a "Rock-Star" when it was her turn.

The Cathedral High School gym was packed with proud parents today. Close to 200 dancers took their turn out on the dance floor, and Lilly was one of them. She followed her class to the front of the dance floor without a single tear. She spotted us in the audience, smiled, and slowly, but surely did the routine (or parts of the routine) that her class had practiced.

We are so proud of you sweetie!