Tiny Ballerina

Emily started taking ballet/tap just before Elinor was born. They have been working toward yesterday's recital since the beginning of the year. While I have my complaints about the studio, Emily's class has been great. The teacher is fun and patient and there are only three other girls, so Emily has been able to become good friends with them.
The recital is a big event, so before leaving we took some pictures of Emily. Rather, we asked a friend to take pictures of Emily for us with her nice camera and sweet photography skills.

Here's the lineup of little girls on the stage (Emily's class combined with another bigger one). I did record it, but between the darkened auditorium, my unfamiliarity with the camcorder, and Elinor's constant jostling of my arms, the movie ended up pretty shaky and sea-sickness-inducing. Plus I might have filmed another girl for most of the time because I thought she was Emily. But we won't delve into that issue. She is furthest to the left, just so you know.  Anyway, the video mostly showed a bunch of girls staring out at the audience vaguely remembering that they were supposed to be dancing. So we will settle for a picture.

 Here's the little starlet after her big number. I am the tiger mother hovering behind. Afterward we went out for donuts to celebrate. Fun times! I am going to be singing the recital song, "Animal Crackers," for weeks, I'm sure.