Just Dance!

When I was little my parents put me in dance classes – ballet and tap, once or twice a week.  I loved those classes.  And when it came time for our recital, I was super excited to take the stage.  We were dancing to “Put on a Happy Face” and had rehearsed for ever.  And ever.  And ever.  But back in June 1983, when I took the stage, I didn’t dance.  Not one step.  I can’t really tell you why.  I don’t remember freezing or being particularly scared…I just didn’t dance.  Instead, I talked to the girl next to me.  Because, let’s face it, I needed a friend while I was not dancing.  It didn’t matter to me at the time that we hadn’t spoken a word to each other in class the entire year, we were friends in that moment up on the stage.  My parents weren’t thrilled (although in a funny twist, all my mom recalls about that recital is how hard she laughed while I was on stage).

So when I saw that Greenleigh’s costume for her recital was called “Put on a Happy Face” – although she actually danced to a Winnie the Pooh song, that was the name of the costume in the brochure – I was sure it was a sign.  That this was karma coming back around to kick me in the ass for my 4 year old self’s actions.  Or rather, inactions.  A fear that was only compounded when I saw how big the venue was at dress rehearsal last week.

I promised myself I wouldn’t freak out if she didn’t dance.  That I’d still hug her just the same and tell her how well she did, no matter what.  But I knew that she knew the dance and prayed that she’d actually do it up there on that big stage in front of hundreds of people.

And sure enough, she did!Greenleigh is 3rd from the right.   Okay, so they aren’t all doing the same thing at the same time, but they did pretty well.

And can we all just take notice that I actually did my daughter’s hair and makeup for this event?

Yes, me, who can’t do little girls hair!  Okay, it’s just a high ponytail with ringlets and a ton of hair putty, but still.  Please see this as a huge step forward for me.  Oh, and putting make up on a 4 year old officially tops my list of “Things I Hate”.  Especially eyeliner.  Ugh.

But none of that seemed to phase her, because when the whole thing was over, we went out to celebrate and she told us that she wants to go on the big stage again.

I have a feeling there are more recitals in our future.