Dance Recital 2011

My girls had their dance recital earlier this month. Ellyn has been dancing since 1999, when she was 4 years old. Meggan's first recital was in 2004--she hadn't even turned 4 yet! The little ones are always so adorable at the recitals!
This is a picture of Ellyn's costume for her second recital. The skirt had a battery pack in the back that powered little lights all over it--of course, because they danced to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Meggan's costume her first recital:
(They had a fish headpiece that I had her take off for the picture. It was really big.)

Now, my girls seem so grown up in their dance costumes and make-up:

Things have changed a lot over the years of dance recitals...no fish on their heads or twinkling skirts.

This year, I did very little make-up and no hair styling before the rehearsals and performances. Just a quick run to the store for extra hairspray and bobby pins. (That never changes!)
They take care of it themselves, or Ellyn does Meggan's hair for her. They don't need any help getting dressed either. It makes things less hectic during recital week, but makes me aware of how much they've grown up.

I'm so proud of them. They did a great job at all three performances. I think dance has taught them so much more than how to be a good dancer--confidence, understanding of their bodies, fitness and strength, how to keep your cool in front of an audience--just to name a few.

And...
 as soon as the recital is over, the talk of summer dance and next year's dance classes begins! : )