The Show

Emma feels rather shy around those she doesn't know very well, and especially when she is asked to perform in some way in front of others.  This always takes us back a bit because she is such a little performer at home!

When we signed her up for Dance Camp, I was a little unsure of how she would do having never been to anything like it.  I watch her twirl around like a little ballerina all the time so it seemed she might really enjoy this camp.  She was eager to get a taste of ballet, tap, modern dance, and jazz.

Each day when I dropped her off, she asked if I would stay for a while and watch her on the TV in the reception area.   I did... and I also came a little early to pick her up so I could watch again for a while.  It thrilled my heart to see her giving it 110% and participating in everything they did!  She loved it, and said several times that she wished it was more than 2 1/2 hours each day!  After the first day she told me she had felt very proud of herself while she was there.

As we neared the end of the week though, her fears about The Show they would do for family on the last day, began to surface.  We tried to help her feel better but this is the same thing we've dealt with before school programs... she is extremely uncomfortable knowing that people are watching her.  

(Her friend Julia giving her a little encouragement)

To make a long story short she got off to an extremely rough start.  Her teacher was so gracious and sweet about it.  We eventually worked it out and found a way to help her feel a little more at ease so she could at least participate in the last couple of numbers.  We were SO proud of her! 

Though you won't see the freedom I saw when I watched during her classes, these videos give you a taste of the camp experience.  Emma is at the far end of the room in all pink...   
(TIP:  Pause the music player on the right side of the blog in order to hear the video)

Sweet Daddy with flowers for the ballerina:

(Samuel was broken-hearted because he wanted to run around instead of sitting on Daddy's lap)