Lael's first dance recital!

Friday night was a special night for Lael -- it was the night of her first dance recital! There were 3 classes of little girls sharing ballet and tap dances. Fifteen family members and friends attended to support Lael, along with close to 200 other people.

Lael's class did two numbers -- one tap and one ballet. The song they danced to for ballet was Steven Curtis Chapman's song Cinderella. The song begins like this:

She spins and she sways

To whatever song plays

Without a care in the world

And I'm sitting here wearing

The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day

And there's still work to do

She's pulling at me saying, "Dad, I need you!

There's a ball at the castle

And I've been invited

And I need to practice my dancing.

Oh please, Daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something

The prince never knew

Oh I will dance with Cinderella

I don't want to miss even one song

'Cause all too soon

The clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone . . .

For those of you that know Lael, the song describes her well . . . there is always a song on her lips and she frequently dances around the room when music is playing.

Anyway, here are some snapshots from the dress rehearsal as well as the recital . . .

Lael really grew this year in dance -- she went from knowing nothing at all about ballet or tap to really being a leader in her class.

Our little girl is quickly becoming a graceful young lady!
All the girls from her class waiting backstage to perform their second song . . .

One of the special gifts of this dance class was a new special friend - Grace!

And Lael's beloved teacher - Miss Lea! You will always have a special place in our hearts because you introduced Lael to dance and shared your love of dancing with her . . . thank you!

Our little ballerina

Here's our sweet ballerina! Her ballet class was asked to be part of the Christmas musical this past weekend at the church where the ballet class meets.

There are 11 girls in the class, but two of them have become special friends.

And this is "Miss Lea" -- her wonderful teacher. Lea is a senior at a performing arts high school, and she is doing a fabulous job teaching the girls ballet and tap dance.

I know these pictures are a bit dark . . . but they were the best we could do! Lael is the fourth girl from the left -- she was in the second row.
The girls really did a fantastic job, especially since they only had four weeks to work on the choreography! Lael told us afterwards that she was nervous until she stepped out onto the stage, and after that it was just fun!