Ellison Reese: Ell's First Dance Recital

It's showtime! We felt like the Griswold's trying to get things around for the recital. Before you read the following lengthy description, keep in mind that I know I could've been more chill about the day. I'm just writing it all down because we were all laughing about it later. It was just a "red light" day. You know, when you seem to just hit every red light known to man when you're driving. It turned out a little crazy because:

1) I had to wake Ellison up from her nap, which always spells disaster. She cried while I tried doing her hair, and I had to keep wiping her tears so I could get make-up to stick, as I was trying to do a rush job. Not fun. While this is ensuing, the following progression starts...

2) The plan was for Jonathan to go early to save seats. He had to run a couple errands first, though - get a bouquet of flowers for Ellison, get gas, etc. I told him to get the bouquet from the florist where we got her little corsage for the Father Daughter Dance. When it was near the time for us ALL to leave for the recital, and he wasn't home yet, I became very tense. He tells me the florist wouldn't have her corsage ready until 3pm. "Um, corsage? What dancer do you know that gets a corsage?" "But, that's what you told me to get!". "No, I told you to go to the place where we got her corsage in the past to get her a bouquet!". "Well, I'll go get it and then go save us seats." "It's kinda pointless to go save us seats if we're gonna get there before you! Forget it. We'll just all ride together." "We'll get the corsage on the way." "There isn't any time to get the corsage! She has to be there now! Just forget it! I'll call the florist and pay for it over the stupid phone and tell her we aren't going to be able to pick it up after all!". Thank God for the sweetest florist ever. I insisted we pay for it, but she insisted we didn't and said not to worry about it. Go to Botanica on New Garden if you ever need a florist. They're sweet as pie, and do a beautiful job!

3) The parents are supposed to leave the kiddos upstairs in the balcony with parent volunteers during the whole show, except for costume changes. As I tried to leave Ellison, she screamed! I was upset from all of the previous events, I was hot and feeling faint on the high balcony with a clingy sequined-clad critter stuck to me, and I just wanted to watch my baby's first dance recital from the audience! After tersely calling Jonathan and letting him know I'd be staying up there, she starting crying for Daddy. So he came up to relieve me, then we decided we'd switch places between dances so we'd each get to watch at least one. By then, mega guilt washed over me, and I became teary-eyed thinking what a wretched mother I was. She's only 3 for the love of Mike! Who cares if she wants her Mama or Daddy with her! I should be happy to comfort her and be smiling about the situation! This is the stuff that dreams are made of!

4) Do you think we ever got to sit together? Nope. Had to separate since we didn't have anyone saving a seat.

Thankfully, Ellison became a happy camper once she knew one of us would stay with her.

We couldn't take any pics or videos of the actual recital, but she did awesome!!! Not that we would've cared one bit if she just stood there - that's adorable, too, when they're only 3 & 4. She danced through both routines like a little trouper and loved it! She even waved to Grandma during one. :-) It was the most precious thing to watch, and my slightly damp eyes went from guilt and shame over my frustrations to total joy and adoration watching her up there. I can't believe my baby girl is old enough for her first dance recital...

Our little star with her bouquet of flowers (bought in the lobby ;-) ) and her new little Webkin as a treat from G & G, whom she named Seraphina, after the cat in "Barbie as the Princess & The Pauper".