ballet recital ~

I thought there couldn't be anything cuter than 3-year old ballerinas when Zoe and Ella were three -- then they turned four.  That year I thought there couldn't be anything cuter than 4-year old ballerinas -- until they turned five.  The year they were five they were adorable Russian Dancers in their first 'official' recital, on a real stage with real lights, in front of a real (and large) audience.  And again, I thought they were the cutest ballerinas ever.

This year (Mother's Day weekend) they were Bluebirds, they danced to music from Cinderella, and they STILL were the cutest ballerinas!  All of the girls in their group did a super job -- they made their mama's (and lots of other family members) proud!!  

*This is the only photo I took at the end of their tech rehearsal -- I didn't get any pictures during their dress-rehearsal or their actual performances, it was just too busy.  Zoe far right and Ella in the back row two over from Zoe.  My niece video-taped their dances though -- so cute, but I can't figure out how to download them onto my blog.  It's on my list of things to get at.*

After the final performance Tom picked our Bluebirds up from the front stage (he was just a little happy and proud) ....

and headed outside .....

.... for LOTS of photos (probably picture overload but each one makes me happy).

Ella and Zoe with their student leader, Tasha .....

They loved the beautiful flowers they received -- and the special roses from their auntie Jen ....

.... and posing with their Dad ....

.... and me, too .....

of course we got photos with Grama ....

.... and with Elise .....

.... and friends they've been friends with since they were all 18 months old .....

Their friend from Kindergarten was in the recital too .....

.... and another pal from our ECFE days (I love the sequence of these photos) ....

Tom took the girls exploring around the theatre ....

.... where they found dirt to dig in .....

.... and pill bugs too ....

Before dinner Tom ran back to our house to pick up Jack -- this is what happens when you skip the recital,  fall into a deep sleep on the sofa, and Tom has the camera ....

Dinner was at Ole' Mexico, a favorite and lots of fun ....

We also celebrated Mother's Day with Grama Dianne -- the girls made her a card that tied in with the gift ....

.....  that she loved SO much (a flying pig for her garden).

Once home the girls still had energy to burn, and would have slept in their ballet outfits if we would have let them .....

I love my silly and sweet, fun and funny ballerina girls so much.