The Shows
My kids' last day of school was June 17, which is much later than we were used to in Oklahoma but not as late as some nearby districts in Maryland and Virginia.
Gracie ended the year with two performances: her spring show with the Washington School of Ballet and her school talent show. They were the first two shows she's been in that she's had to audition for.
In the spring ballet performance, Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, Gracie had the small role of a dandelion in Mary's garden, which Mary is trying to rid of pesky weeds. The larger roles were danced by older, more experienced dancers. At first Gracie was disappointed to have such a small part, but she ended up enjoying the experience, complete with costumes and makeup. She beamed from the stage.
Class Performance
A couple weeks later, she played two piano pieces in her school talent show. She picked the songs and practiced them until they were perfect. She didn't seem nervous at all--unlike her mom!
If you have kids in your life whom you've watched perform, you know what a thrill and a joy it is. You see the gifts God has given your child, and you watch her work hard in practices and rehearsals. You see that work pay off in an excellent performance. And you see in your child's eyes how much she's enjoying herself. You want her to be better than you ever were, and you realize that she probably is. And you're proud. And you're extremely grateful and you know it's nothing of your doing but all a gift and a blessing. And you see her potential and wonder what God will accomplish in her as she grows and develops those gifts. I'm assuming we all feel this way about the children in our lives and it's not just me. Right?
I've had these feelings about all my kids at different points and for different reasons. Gracie's shows just happen to be the latest example. For now I'll enjoy the break from all the activity that led up to them: the practices, lessons, and rehearsals. And I'll cherish watching the kids fill their summer days exercising their gifts and talents by creating and performing dances and plays and movies--on the stage of our living room rug.
Gracie ended the year with two performances: her spring show with the Washington School of Ballet and her school talent show. They were the first two shows she's been in that she's had to audition for.
In the spring ballet performance, Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, Gracie had the small role of a dandelion in Mary's garden, which Mary is trying to rid of pesky weeds. The larger roles were danced by older, more experienced dancers. At first Gracie was disappointed to have such a small part, but she ended up enjoying the experience, complete with costumes and makeup. She beamed from the stage.
Class Performance
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
A couple weeks later, she played two piano pieces in her school talent show. She picked the songs and practiced them until they were perfect. She didn't seem nervous at all--unlike her mom!
If you have kids in your life whom you've watched perform, you know what a thrill and a joy it is. You see the gifts God has given your child, and you watch her work hard in practices and rehearsals. You see that work pay off in an excellent performance. And you see in your child's eyes how much she's enjoying herself. You want her to be better than you ever were, and you realize that she probably is. And you're proud. And you're extremely grateful and you know it's nothing of your doing but all a gift and a blessing. And you see her potential and wonder what God will accomplish in her as she grows and develops those gifts. I'm assuming we all feel this way about the children in our lives and it's not just me. Right?
I've had these feelings about all my kids at different points and for different reasons. Gracie's shows just happen to be the latest example. For now I'll enjoy the break from all the activity that led up to them: the practices, lessons, and rehearsals. And I'll cherish watching the kids fill their summer days exercising their gifts and talents by creating and performing dances and plays and movies--on the stage of our living room rug.
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