Dancing queen

Last fall we began thinking about putting Sammy in an extra-curricular activity during the school year. We had heard from friends about a little dance studio called Heart and Sole which was run by a Christian woman who integrated Christian music as well as appropriate dance moves and costumes into her classes and recitals. Sammy also had a friend named Arnae who had taken dance lessons from there, and her mom, Christina and I signed the girls up for the same class so that the girls could dance together, our sons could play together, and we would be able to chat together each week.

It was a fabulous idea!

We signed Sammy up for the Tap and Tumbling class...mostly because that was the time slot that worked best for both our families.

Sammy loves her tap shoes...and the sounds they make!

She looked forward to dance every week. Her teacher, Cindy, did a great job teaching basic moves as well has having a lot of fun with the girls.

At Sammy's CHRISTmas recital, she was a little "Suzie Snowflake" (3rd from the left). She and I cut out all the tool for her skirts (that was one way of keeping the cost down for costumes...which I really appreciated) and she loved wearing the snowflake headband.

During the dress rehearsal in December, I vividly remember Sammy's face as the curtain opened. Her smile could not get any wider! After her class was done practicing, she told me...as her eyes moved across the parents and other dancers in the auditorium..."are all these people here to see me?"

Yes, Sammy was made for the stage!

Sammy's friend Arnae wasn't able to be at the spring recital, so we took some pictures of the girls in their costumes one evening.

Then we went outside and took some more of them.

Is this not the picture of childhood innocence?

Love her!

Posing...

Yup, not sure where this pose came from!

At the spring recital, Sammy danced to a song called, "God Takes Care of Me." I've had that song running over and over through my mind the last 5 months and it has been so appropriate for the season that I have been in. As she would practice the choreography each week at dance class, I would be reminded that God is going to take care of us today, tomorrow and in the future.

Sammy was so excited for her spring recital.

One of her moves included kicking her foot out, tapping, kicking her foot behind her and stomping. It was a pretty difficult move for these 5 year olds.

My dear Sammy... I love your spunk and sweet spirit! You are truly my dancing queen and a gift from God!