The Recital

 All of the girls at Olivia's dance studio have been working very hard this year, and their hard work paid off at the studio's recital last weekend.  I have to say that I was thoroughly entertained.  Although all of the recital participants did great, the three that I was there to see were Olivia, Ava, and Claire.  The first up were Olivia and Claire.  They are in the same gymnastics class and had a "circus" themed number.  After a few moves as a class, each girl got to show off their moves individually.  It was a really cute routine.  After the circus number, Ava's gymnastic class did a cheerleader-themed routine.  Let me take a moment to brag on my niece Ava.  She is an amazing gymnast.  She is one of the smallest girls in her class, and she can do more moves (well) than most of the other girls in her class.  There were even some girls in the middle school class that didn't look as good as Ava did.  Tumbling is definitely her "thing".

 

Once the gymnastics routines were over, the tumbling matts were moved, and the dance routines began.  Olivia had two routines: a ballet and a tap.   She is one of the girls who remembered the routine the best, so she was front-and-center for both dances. Both dance numbers used music from "The Little Mermaid" and were choreographed accordingly.  After Olivia's final performance, she was surprised by flowers from her daddy.  He's so thoughtful. 

I am very pleased with Olivia's progress in her dance and gymnastics this year.  It was rough going at first.  Back in the fall of the year, she would pitch a fit becasue she didn't want to go to her lessons each week.  I had to remind her frequently that she had put in to take these lessons and that we were going to finish what we had started.  Her attitude improved significantly during the spring, and she's recently been asking to go to lessons- even on days that are not her designated day.  I asked her if she would like to take dance and/or gymnastics again next year, and she responded that she'd like to take both and add baton.  I doubt that that the baton thing will happen, but it's good to know that she likes what she's doing.