Every Monday we take Ava over to the elementary school she’ll be attending for her dance class. Personally, I’d rather Ava had signed up for hunting or maybe the bobsledding team. Last Friday however, my opinion of dance class changed when I saw her on the stage with her team. It was an epic event for a 4 year old girl.

I’ve been to recitals before, and to be sure they’ve been painful. This wasn’t painful though…once you’re kid is up there you get it.

Even when the other girls were dancing, you could appreciate it because the understanding that their parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles were in the room. All watching – all proud – all rooting for theirs.

The other thing that made it enjoyable was just how terrible so many of the dancers were. Terrible in the best way possible of course. There’s something beautiful about un-coordination that the coordinated kids just can’t touch. This little girl on the far right was our favorite:

No matter what was happening, she was doing it wrong. If they went left, she went right. If they were laying down, she was jumping in the air. It was a beautiful mess and she was having a blast.

After the recital was over I got to tell her that she was the best one and that we loved watching her dance. She just grinned and said, “Thank you.”

Of course we told Ava the same thing…

My favorite part of the night was at the end when they were giving all the final thanks and announcements. This is the point where Ava decides to look for us in the crowd…

Even though we’re waving – the lights are bright and she can’t see us. Nervousness begins…

And the progression was priceless…

Oh…there they are…

Most of the experience can be summed up with this animation…

But for those who need more – video is the only way:

I’m glad it was enjoyable since it looks like I’ll need to be getting used to these sorts of things. They won’t be ending any time soon – we just found out from our ultrasound today that we’re having a baby girl. Here we go again. ♀