Backstage...

My friend Nicole was not only was backstage taking pictures...but she took a dance class this year and performed in the show with her two daughters.  Here are some pictures she took from backstage.  This was one of my favorite dances.  Their costumes were great...they were "crooked trees"

Avery backstage playing "rock, paper, scissors".

 Love how these sweet girls were holding Avery's hands.  Good thing they fixed her hair backstage.  There was a long time between when I dropped her off and she appears on the stage!

 Avery is on the very far right...playing sharks and minnows....

 I just love this pic of this dancer reading while waiting for her number.

Thanks for sharing these Nicole!!

First Dance Recital

Avery started dance class last fall.  We signed her up for a 30-minute gospel class once a week.  They dance to inspirational music and can use props like candles, ribbons, or tambourines.  A few months ago the studio started to prepare for the end-of-year recital.  They took measurements and ordered costumes.  There were a lot of practices just before the rehearsal.  

The dress rehearsal was from 5:45 until 10:30 p.m.!  Avery was such a trooper.  She was a trooper on the opening night too.  She was there for four hours each the next two nights.   In between events during the day, she was falling asleep.

Her class warming up for their Wednesday night rehearsal.  

All during the year, the parents could not watch practices except through a little monitor in the studio lobby...so I was surprised they let me stay for this first 30-minute practice at the big theater.  I about died because it was so cute.  Avery didn't have her costume because I thought she only needed her practice for the big dress rehearsal the following night.  But another teacher said they only need a few students to be in costume to check the lighting.  Look at how cute her belly is below. 

On the opening night of "The Maidens and the Well" we went over to a friend's house to get ready.  I needed to borrow some lipstick and bright blush...!  I had trouble getting lipstick on her tiny lips!  She wouldn't let me get any pictures of her and wouldn't get in pictures with the other girls.

Luckily, Heidi captured this one for me.

Let's do this!

There she is!

My friend Dani's daughter Andi was amazing.  I think she was in three different numbers.

 Look at Avery's friend Haley.  She was in Avery's preschool class, soccer team, and dance class.  I love this pic of her.

This is Bexley.  She was one of four in this adorable number.  They were tap dancing fleas.

 My friend Heidi's daughter Marley was a "Fire Pit Child":

...and a toad.
  She did so great and looked like a doll.

 Andi's sister, Tatum.   How cute is she?

During the wedding scene, the music "Ave Maria" starts playing and Avery's class walks out on their toes holding candles.  They walk under an arch made of ribbons and out to their spot on the stage.  

On Friday night, we were sitting in the center audience.  Avery did so good!!!  She did even more than I saw her do at her rehearsal.  She didn't miss a move.

She didn't get to bed until 11 p.m. so she was in a daze Saturday night.  I went myself the second night and bought a ticket as close as I could get to the stage.  I told her beforehand to look for me and smile and she said "I can't look at you, I am supposed to look at the blue light."  When she did walk out, I realized I was directly in front of her.  When she came out and saw me she just kept looking at me and smiling. 

 She missed a good part of her dance but who cares?!  It was so stinking cute.  

For the finale, everyone in the production comes back on the stage for another number set to "Amazing Grace".  

Then the main instructor came on the stage and announced it was their 30th year.  I can see why they had such a successful show.  Bravo, Avery!!!

Vikings and Preschool

The day before the last day of preschool...

 She has grown 2.5 inches through the school year and a full shoe size.  :)  I wonder how many inches her hair has grown??

 She has a heart of gold and makes me laugh all the time.  

Here is their class pic from a few weeks ago.  From left:  Ms. Tammy, Dalton, Avery, Kellan, Serenity, Jack, Kat, Lincoln, Haley, Dane, Livia, Ryan and Ms. Mary.  At least four of them are off to kindergarten next year.

The LAST day of preschool...the big performance day!  Jack rode with us to school that morning so I took a pic on their last day.  It was so cute when he wrapped his arm around her and was smiling away.

For their final program, the class was performing an internationally-themed program. The room was decorated with Mrs. Pare's (the music teacher) items she has collected from around the world.  Here is Ms. Mary starting off the program.

Every kiddo picked a country to represent.  Everyone dressed up and made a flag for their country.  We picked Finland since Geoff was just there but he had trouble finding an outfit there so I ordered one online.  I was so impressed with costume...especially for how little I paid for it.  I might start buying our Halloween costumes every year in June.
The kids walked out singing "It's A Small World" and everyone looked amazing!

Ryan - Scotland, Livia - Holland, Kellan - Norway, Avery - Finland, Jack - Finland, Kat - Japan, Dalton - France, Haley - Spain, Lincoln - Japan, Serenity - Mexican Indian, Dane - USA.

 They sang "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", "God Bless America", "The Continent Song", "We all Sing with the Same Voice" and more.

 I love Livia's wooden shoes!  The teachers put a pink headband (sweatband?) on Avery's head to keep her helmet from falling off...it was a little big.  If you look close, you'll see a ton of safety pins in Avery's costume too.  It was the smallest I could find but still really big on her.  

The cake says "Have a World of Fun this Summer."

Ms. Mary and Ms. Tammy present all the kids with their portfolio from the year and art work.  Here are some of my favorite pics that were in her portfolio.  I am taking a picture of the printed pic on my iPhone so excuse the glare.

Avery washing apples before they made applesauce at school.

 Scooping out pumpkin seeds.

Painting!

Christmas pic for the Christmas ornament she made.  I love this one!

 Circle time.

 Cute spring picture.

 A painting of flowers she brought home on the last day of school. 

Avery got out of her viking costume and put on her shirt she tie-dyed at school.

What a great first year of preschool!