She took gymnastics classes. {Twice}.
Before that there was soccer. T-ball. There was even a year of chess club.
Nothing stuck though.
Nothing stuck, that is, until she started dance this year. Hip hop.
Every Thursday afternoon she donned her black workout shorts and low-top Converse.
She came home after school and ate her healthy snack quick as could be, so as to ensure she wouldn’t be late.
Two classes in she decided that, yes, she actually did want to be in the recital after all.
A costume was ordered. A song was downloaded to the iPod so that she could practice at home.
And practice she did, while her younger brother and sister sat nearby in the mushroom chairs, watching her every move.
The practicing was so frequent that by the time rehearsal finally came, both little brother and little sister sat in the audience, doing the same dance moves as big sister on stage, having learned them by heart.
Sunday was recital day.
There was more practicing. There was the application of make-up. And the arrival of her dad, who flew in for the occasion.
There we sat together–little siblings, dad, step-dad and I–in the audience. Waiting. Watching.
The curtain rolled back.
She couldn’t find me, in that sea of expectant faces before her. But I looked on. Waiting. Watching.
And then those first familiar notes ripped through the auditorium. She exploded into movement–unbridled confidence beaming in her eyes.
She nailed it. NAILED. IT.
The best part though?
As the curtain closed–and she stood frozen in her posse pose–there was no mistaking the look on her face.
She nailed it alright.
And she knew it.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
She’s got personality…and – oh my! – she is so pretty with her blue, blue eyes and her red, red hair.
She looks great! So glad that it went well. I am so glad she “nailed” it. Now, I can just hope that Cate will “nail” her little ballet routine at her recital on Friday night!
Aw, I feel so excited just reading this. Good for Kennedy! Wish I could have been there to cheer her on myself.
Ahh! Look at her!!! She looks amazing! Wish I could have seen it :)
OMG, makeup, amazing beauty that she is, I am so glad for her, she looks a little more like you
I know you have “never” heard this about your girls before, but in that first pic she looks so much like you…
So excited for her! Congrats K!
I LOVE THIS POST! Seriously it brought tears to my eyes. It’s so wonderful to watch your kids do well and more importantly for them to KNOW that they did well themselves.
She is looking so grownup in those pictures. What happened to our litle girl? I wish we could have seen her as well.
AWESOME! It is so exciting for us moms to see our girls achieve something that means a lot to them. We were enjoying dance recitals this weekend as well – 5 dances for 3 dancers. In fact, that hot pink leo looks pretty familiar!
That is awesome!!! She is beautiful!!! What an accomplishment!
Geoff thought she was you, and David said she was hot (not really but I know he was thinking it)! She looks so grown up with that make-up, and probably because I haven’t seen her in over 2 years.
Way to go, Kennedy!
AWESOME! That is really great that she found what she likes, and that she’s good at it.
We have gone through a similar trail of activities with our Kate…ballet, tap, jazz; Then there was soccer. And cheering. Now she is taking riding lessons, and she LOVES it. I hope she still likes it in a few months. So far, so good. This just might be her thing!
She is beautiful – and you are right, they grow up so fast – wish we could have seen a video…..that would be something.
Darcie. She is GORGEOUS. I mean, really. Lock that girl inside the house! LOL.
That’s awesome, don’t you LOVE it when they find their thing? My son has found his (baseball). I can’t wait to see what my girls find.
Good for her! She is beautiful and talented and her personality shines through too. How proud you must been watching her discover and achieve her own path. So very excited that she nailed it! Way to go, Kennedy! Wish I could see you dance!!
she has the “performing art’s gene” for sure :) KENNY, you did so great!