step up 10th anniversary concert

our little ballerina danced in her first ever concert this evening and wow was she amazing! we were so proud of her as she danced with her class in their "bluebirds" number. she was focused and tried her hardest all the way through.

i really didn't know what to expect, but i was blown away at how much work must have gone into the concert, especially for the opening sequence. the teachers and a selection of students had made a video that played on the digital screen on the stage prior to them starting their dance on the stage... it was epic. although this is our first year at step up, the dance school is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and had gone all out to make their anniversary concert amazing... and it showed. i can't wait to watch the dvd when it arrives.

the junior ballet "bluebirds." thank goodness for the other mums, last night at the dress rehearsal while i was trying to keep alex quiet when this was taken - and sent to me via sms.

dress rehearsal finale

the concert was very long, especially when you add in awards at the end and i was grateful every single minute for my friend emily who offered to be the "dance mum" for the evening so i could sit in the audience and enjoy the show with many others to help with alex, rather than being stuck backstage in a crowded dress room with a tiny baby. she was an absolute lifesaver!

we had the most wonderful surprise when the awards were handed out, our maddie won the class trophy for her ballet class! we were absolutely thrilled with this, considering she was a last minute addition to the concert and she'd been front and centre for nearly their entire dance. (she had spent most of the year not wanting to do it, then changed her mind at a time that we thought she could no longer be added in, only to have one of the dance teachers chase doug down one sunday and ask us to reconsider. maddie looked like she had won the lottery that day!) obviously their teacher has been really pleased with her dancing and we couldn't have been happier for her!

as you can see, she was loving life and was so so chuffed with her trophy. what a cutie! i don't think i have ever seen her that excited in her life.

me and my big little girl! i am so proud of how hard she has worked with her dancing. ♥

things just got better from there, when we found her ballet teacher miss georgia to thank her, she took me aside and said that maddie had great potential and had proved herself to be a great little dancer, then asked if she would like to join the lyrical troupe next year and do competitions!! oh my gosh! doug and i will obviously talk about it, but i we are so thrilled for her to have even been asked! it looks like she'll have a great path ahead of her in dancing.

doesn't she look like the happiest little girl in the world? i am so pleased that her first dance concert was such a success. 

maddie with her proud as punch parents ♥

and last but certainly not least... maddie with my lovely friend emily backstage. emily - i am so so grateful for you! thank you from the bottom of my heart!

♥

what a night!

some photos ordered from the concert - look at our sweet girl. she makes the most beautiful ballerina!