Eloise the Ballerina

Our little prima ballerina Eloise started doing ballet classes last year in the late Winter/early Spring.  Of course, she loved the outfits and quickly perfected her leaps and twirls.  Last weekend was the culmination of her "training," as she had her 1st Ballet Recital.  She was all decked out in her costume, ballerina bun hairstyle and some special makeup.  I had tons of fun being her personal glam squad by doing her hair and makeup.  She loved every minute of it! 

When I was putting the makeup on, she said to me "Will my friends recognize me?  They might think I'm a Mommy because I've got your makeup on."  She was so worried about her makeup that she had a mini meltdown with fake tears about the rain ruining her makeup.  Lord help me when she is a teenager!

Who knows if Eloise will continue her ballet "career" in the coming years but at least I can say that I was able to have my moment as a Dance Mom or a Stage Mom.  I was armed with extra bobby pins and hairspray while we waited back stage for her number.  That moment that I left her with her classmates and teacher to go take my seat in the auditorium made me a little emotional.  I'm that Mom who gets teary-eyed at the drop of a hat.  Don't worry - I pulled it together by the time I got to my seat.

The Dance Studio will not let parents record of photograph the actual recital so the best thing we have is a video that Grandma Sandy took at the Rehearsal. The actual performance was just as "entertaining" as the rehearsal.   

Following her performance, Daddy was armed with a dozen red roses for his princess.  While we were waiting for him to pull the car around, she was semi-struggling to the hold the bouquet and said, "Why did Daddy get me such big flowers?  I can't ever hold them!"

We are so proud of Eloise for performing in the Recital.  It was 2 shows in 2 days.  Many kids did not show for the 2nd show so I appreciate that she was willing and able to follow through on this commitment.  It's been fun watching her progress over the past year or so and we can't wait to see what she does next.