Princess Dance Camp / Survivor Camp

Back in the spring, I won a raffle - the prize was a gift certificate to a local kids' gym, to be used for summer camp.  We used the gift certificate to send Mister J to a "Survivor"-themed camp and Miss M to a "Princess Dance Camp" last week.

The highlight of Princess Dance Camp was an end-of-week performance, though I daresay the actual purchase of tap shoes was an equally big deal for Miss M!  (Note to Grandma RL and Grandpa H - I'm sorry that my narrow feet were hard to fit for dance shoes, and thank you so much for 15 years' worth of assorted dance shoes!  Miss M needed wide tap shoes, so I'm starting to feel your pain.)

Here are several photos (I have loads more!) followed by a video of Miss M's first tap performance.

The Princess Walk

The princesses got to come out one by one, spin, curtsy, and blow a kiss.  My princess moved fairly quickly and my camera wanted to focus on the heads of the people in front of me - therefore, I have blurry photos of the Princess Walk.

The entire cast singing - with arm/hand motions - to "A Whole New World"

The older princesses dance to "Anything Can Happen" from Mary Poppins

I'm sure Miss M loved the long ballet skirts!

"You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray

for their jazz number .

(also known as the "wiggle, wiggle" song by Miss M!)

They tap danced to "Boot Scootin' Boogie" by Brooks & Dunn.

Miss M was so excited to wear her tap shoes that she was showing them to me - and making sure that I noticed them - before the tap number began!   

(Note:  I was holding the video camera in my left hand while snapping photos with a camera in my right hand.  Apologies for the camera sounds in the background and the wiggly video!)

One last photo of my Princess M at the end of the performance.  The girls did several crafts during the week, including their princess hats (see photo of the Princess Walk) and wands.

Survivor Camp didn't have an end-of-week performance, but I was able to get a few snapshots of the kids on one of their obstacle courses.  This one had water, quicksand, and a sneaky shark - plus plenty of balance, jumping, and tumbling activities.  

Both kids had a great time, and I'm sure we'll be back for camps again next summer!

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Miss M's first dance recital was this afternoon - and it was just too cute!  She did a great job!  After her number, we stayed and watched the rest of the show, too (she was dismissed at intermission). 

The theme of the recital was, "Celebrate!"  There were songs to celebrate holidays throughout the year, and Miss M's class did "Peter Cottontail" for Easter.  I can't wait to get the DVD so she can see how well she did.

I tried to get a few snapshots in the front yard before we left the house.  Miss M isn't looking at me because we were all trying to get photos.  Hopefully someone got a good one.  I wish I'd remembered to get a photo of her after the show with the rose she got from Grandpa R.  She was pretty worn out, though, and ended up falling asleep on the way home. 

Our beautiful dancer (looking at someone else for "smile!" cues....)

How Will Santa Come?

Oh, boy, do kids get clever as they get older. They start paying attention to the details.

We have gas logs instead of a traditional fireplace. And our gas logs are not open like a traditional fireplace, there's a glass panel in front. And Mister J is concerned that Santa will not be able to deliver gifts because the glass will keep him from getting into our house.

Rest assured, I have explained to the children (Miss M, upon hearing Mister J's concerns, also became quite worried) that Santa is magical, and will indeed be able to deliver gifts for Christmas morning.

One of the best gifts I'll get - seeing their minds at work. It might make my job a bit harder (they ask lots of questions), but I sure am proud of them!

Extra-curricular fun

The kids are having a blast at school - along with the regular 'stuff' of preschool and kindergarten, there are field trips, 'specials' like art, music, and visits to the library, and the new play park on campus. The kids also chose a special activity to do outside of school. It's dance for Miss M, which will last through June. Mister J chose soccer for the fall, he'll be taking an after school science class through early December, and will start basketball at our church in January. As I read that, it seems like Mister J has a lot going on, but we have chosen to keep their activities limited to one day per week, and we don't let the activities overlap (soccer ends before science begins, science ends before basketball begins).

Here are a few snapshots of my cuties all dressed for fun!

Mister J on the first day of soccer

Mister J getting his trophy at the end-of-season festival. This cold, rainy morning was his best soccer day so far!

Miss M on her first day of dance class - she was SO excited! She goes to her dance class right from preschool, so she wasn't in her dance clothes yet - they are in her bag!

Ready to dance! She picked out the lavender leotard the day we registered her for class!