The Recital

Even ballerinas get the blues.

But really…what a morning! Bailey had her first ever dance recital on Saturday and yes, I cried. No, I wasn’t overwhelmed with emotion watching my baby girl twirl on stage, I was devastated because I forgot a piece of her costume at home! After meticulously organizing, labeling, and pre-packing all of her costume pieces, the sequined pink tu-tu, (a ballerina’s crowning glory!) somehow fell out of the bag on our way to the car.

What’s a mom to do? Show time is in 15 minutes, but the sequined tu-tu is not required until the very end of the show. Yes, I could probably make the 25 mile round-trip journey in time…but I’d have to MISS 90% of the recital! Matt is working in Kentucky this month and I had carefully planned to film the recital for him. I felt completely helpless.

So I cried.

I cried as I decided to let her be the one tu-tu-less ballerina and slumped down in my auditorium seat, and I cried as I changed my mind, jumped out of that seat, ran all the way to my car and sped off toward home just as fast as my little Prius could take me.

I missed her tap dance – the one with the grass skirt and lei and impossibly cute maracas…but by golly, I was there for the ballet number and so was that sparkling pink tu-tu.

Apparently, however, this ill-fated tu-tu ensemble was increasingly uncomfortable for Bailey to wear, and by time the finale rolled around, my itchy girl was reduced to pitiful pouts.

Hmmm. A trophy provided a brief distraction from the misery.

When the show was finished, the tiny dancer was tired, staaaarving, and couldn’t shimmy out of that uncomfy costume fast enough.  (seriously, was 12 noon the best time they could come up with for a 2 hour recital for 3-year-olds??)

Photo ops be darned. Bailey was done.

After swapping some quick hugs with her adoring fans, we got the heck out of there and went straight for a little Sonic therapy.

(and some bonus big brother therapy, too)

What a difference some apple juice and a t-shirt makes!  I feel you, girl.

When we finally got home, I took advantage of her corn dog high and convinced her to costume up one last time.

Thanks, B, for humoring your mama.

Whew!  What a day.  What a Bailey.

I sure do love you, my ballerina princess, and I would drive a million miles for your tu-tu if I had to.

Nah, I’ll probably just start keeping a spare one in the trunk.

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MattMay 8, 2011 - 8:06 pm

Beautiful!
So sad i missed that. Thank you SO much for the pictures and video. Sure do love that little girl.

DaynaMay 8, 2011 - 9:07 pm

Janica – I admire your ability to find the humor in every situation. Bailey was absolutely adorable. I sure hope there is video of the Pineapple Princess – she was the cutest maraca-shaker up there!

MeenaMay 8, 2011 - 9:40 pm

I was exhausted for you reading that! Bailey makes a beautiful ballerina princess with or without a sparkling tutu! :)

MeenaMay 8, 2011 - 9:44 pm

LOL! I just saw the video – SO CUTE! I love the shoutout wave to her amazing mommy at the end while everyone was still dancing :)

Patricia FranklinMay 10, 2011 - 12:10 pm

Jan,

Your little angel is adorable! It is so great that you have the talent to document the things that your husband has to miss. Tom used to miss a lot of things that Matthew and Erin did, but I was not so talented to video them for him.

Little Bailey reminds me so much of you when you were little!

I hope Erin sees this on FB!

Hugs,

Patt Franklin

Rachael EarlMay 17, 2011 - 3:02 pm

She is the cutest EVER!

KedaMay 17, 2011 - 10:25 pm

OH.MY.GOODNESS. Your little ballerina is ridiculously adorable. What a face she was making at the beginning, poor sweetie. Thank God for Sonic, right? Beautiful work. Bravo, to mama & daughter, both.

(a fellow OSP’er)

JodiMay 18, 2011 - 9:42 am

That has got to be the cutest thing ever. I love your commentary. Shes one cute lil ballerina.. makes me a bit sad I hadn’t gotten Rylee into ballet sooner. I loved her lil wave at the end. Sweet lil Bailey nugget.

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