Showstopper Regionals

One of our annual regional competitions has always been Showstopper and this year was no different.  What was different was the location.  Showstopper decided to split Houston into two different regionals this year.  Lucky for us, instead of the usual drive to the other side of Houston we only had a 10 minute drive across the highway!  Not sure which I like better - being close to home or staying in a hotel for the weekend - but the stress of "Did I forget anything?" was not missed at all.  This did make the competition smaller than usual though. In Junior Large Groups there were only 10 groups in our level and seven were from our studio.  Makes the results look great on paper, but it's nice to see how you stack up against other studios.  Somehow it didn't make Teen Solos any smaller, we still had to sit through 6 hours of them.  My daughter should never question my love for her! 💖

One major issue from the weekend was the set-up of the two rooms.  They were next to each other and instead of closing off each room, the last two sections were left open.  Yes, that means you could hear music, cheering, and announcements from the other room.  It was horrible when watching a beautiful lyrical in your room and there is a thumping jazz number going on in the other.  To top it off the merchandise and photo tables were located inside room 1.  That only added to the movement in the room and since the lights weren't dimmed you saw everything.  I hope that if they keep this location in future years, these things are corrected.

Groups went well and all three of hers placed in their respective top 5.  Trio started off really good, but got off somewhere - I've seen them do much better in the studio.

Where I have seen the most growth is in her solo.  As you can read in my last post, she ended last year on a sour note and doubts were steadily creeping in again.  The night before her solo I asked her if she was nervous.  She said "Not really, I figure there are only 4 people who are there to judge me and the rest are there to support me, so no need to be nervous."  She blew me away with that!  Her confidence on stage was awesome, her timing was the best I have ever seen from her, and I could not have been more proud.

Next weekend we are off to Starbound.


Click here for the video of her solo "A Million Years Ago" choreographed by Dawn Dippel, North Harris Performing Arts. 

"Wasting My Young Years" trio

One of my favorite still shots a friend captured.

Big Brother there to support his little sister.

Prevue Show 2017

With the first competition coming up this weekend, I wanted to take a bit and reflect on the Prevue Show, the recital for all of our studio's competition pieces.  I love the Prevue Show!  The first look at all these pieces in full dress with hair and make-up, these goofy kids turn into seasoned professionals right before our eyes.  

In the first half Emily performed in her three groups - one lyrical, one jazz, and one tap.  She loves her lyrical and jazz and they are great dances!  Tap is where she struggles most, and she was placed in a group where she is the oldest, so she feels it is "kiddish".  It's been a struggle, and I keep hoping she turns her mindset around, but at this point I'm not optimistic.  I have to say the Junior Tap costumes are so much better than the Teen Tap costumes, so that is a win for her!  See, cute costume!  

Her groups looked great, I think my favorite is her lyrical group to "I Found".  I am amazed at the growth I have seen in Emily this year and her groups really show that.  She is 13, and this is her first year as a Teen.  She has really stepped up and embraced it and it is showing on stage.

The second half of the Prevue Show is when Emily performed her solo and trio.  Trio went on first.  It was a good run. Her trio partners are brand new to the Company and they look and dance well together.  After Trio, I left the theater to make a quick hair change for her solo.  She thought it was a good run also, but focused on a bobbled triple pirouette.

Solo was up next. Another good run.  I have to admit that I was holding my breath the entire time - last year at Nationals, she left the stage during her solo due to a blank out.  She expressed that this was on her mind the past few weeks.  Her teacher has been working with her on overcoming this stress and lack of confidence and I think it is working.

Below are some photos from the Show.  I rely on other parents to share photos with me.  We are lucky that we have a handful of parents who shoot almost everyone at recitals and competitions (where allowed).  What struck me most about these photos is how much Emily has grown!  She really hasn't stopped growing the past four years - look at those arms and legs!

Shot from "Wasting My Young Years" Trio

Her solo is "A Million Years Ago" by Adele. I wanted a sophisticated costume, something Adele would wear, and I think we achieved that.  Best part is, this is a hand-me-down and when I asked the mom how much she wanted for it, she said just take it. 💙

First competition in three days!

The French {Twist} Revolution

I'm not quite sure if anyone will die, but there is sure to be an upheaval today.  It is Company Hair and Make-Up day at the studio.  

The hairstyle is once again a French Twist with a left part.  I CANNOT get this style at all.  When I finish my DD's hair, if I can even get it finished, it resembles a sideways mess, usually with no part, and not smooth at all. I have watched numerous tutorials - twist up, twist down, use a ponytail holder, don't use a ponytail holder, start in the middle, twist and stuff, make a line of bobby pins up the back of the head...I have practiced until both myself and DD are in tears.

Now, let me tell you, I rocked the low bun!  So smooth, perfect spirals, no fly-a-ways, rock solid.  I don't know if that is my problem, that I am not achieving the success I had for several years, or what, but this has got me down and frustrated.

Since no one reads this I am probably not going to get any tips, but if you do happen to be reading this and have any suggestions for how to do a French Twist on REALLY thick, straight hair that is longer than shoulder length - please share!  In the meantime, I will be in the corner rocking back and forth. 😖

Choreography and a Bat Mitzvah

Lyrical and Jazz groups are choreographed, tap is in progress, and solo was completed last week.  She was hesitant about tap the first week, but after two more rehearsals says it is getting better.  She LOVES her lyrical and jazz!  They perform their group dances at the Company sleepover.  When jazz was over the rest of the dancers went crazy with applause and cheers. I cannot wait to see it on the stage! 

I am so excited about her solo.  She is working with the teacher she dreamed of working with, and loves her choreography.  Her song is "Million Years Ago" by Adele.  When we were making suggestions for songs, her teacher really liked this one.  I asked the teacher for her suggestions also, but DD said she could envision dancing to this song.  This is the first time she has been invested in a song, and I am looking forward to seeing the difference it makes on stage.  We have also found a solid potential for her costume.  Best part is, it is something that was worn for a trio a few years back, so we borrowed it.  It is sophisticated, something Adele would wear if she were performing.  DD tried it on last night for the first time and said, "This is it". 💙💙💙 

In non-dance news, I was able to successfully create the largest cake I had ever done! It was for a Bat Mitzvah and served 150 people. Thanks to a fellow dance mom who referred me!

Not Exactly What She Wanted, But

Final results for all groups were posted last week.  For some reason it takes longer to post the tap groups.  She is in three large groups, which is the same amount as the past two years.  My daughter was hoping to add another group this year, but it doesn't look like it is in the cards for her.

They began choreography for the lyrical group this past weekend and she loves it so far.  Funny story, in the beginning they are split into an outer circle and an inner circle.  Their teacher messed up and taught the inner group the outer choreo and vice versa.  It wasn't until they ran it 45 minutes in, that someone asked a question that triggered the teacher's "A-Ha" moment. Probably not funny for the teachers/choreographers out there, but it amused me.

The next major announcement is solos.  She really wants to work with one specific teacher, so I am hoping she gets that chance this year!

Visited a university with my son this past weekend.  He is so ambivalent when it comes to anything dealing with his future.  Now he says he doesn't need to visit anywhere else because it will probably be the same.  People tell me that it will click with him soon, let's hope.

The Results Are In...Hopefully

Today is the day that Company results are to be posted at the studio.  Actually some were supposed to be posted last week, but due to "unexpected variables" they had a round of callbacks this past weekend.  DD was not involved in those, but did take part in unofficial callbacks in class last week. Like a lot of the other moms I have been speculating as to how groups would be divided this year.  We all have our thoughts, but also know that ultimately it is up to the teachers.  DD seems prepared for any possibility, so I have to be as well.

Results to follow soon...as long as there are no more "unexpected variables".

213.6

One month until 40

So I have not been following my meal plan.  With the kids on Spring Break this week it was not easy.  Now I have been sick the past 2 days, so eating wasn't a priority.

Here is my dinner meal plan for the week:

• Monday
• Baked Chicken Fingers
• Homemade Baked French Fries
• Veggies
• Tuesday
• African Style Turkey on couscous
• Veggies
• Wednesday
• Pasta and Veggies with Shrimp
• Salad
• Thursday
• Kids are with their dad
• Friday
• Kids have a half day and Brendan and I are going to go see the Hunger Games.
• Saturday
• Emily has her dance competition

Hmmm...writing this out makes me think that I need to plan those 3 days.  I am going to need to pack some snacks for Saturday because I do not know how long we are going to be at the competition.  Grocery shopping is tomorrow, gotta be smart about it.