Emmy and the Chipmunks...

Emersyn has been rehearsing for a special performance for the past several weeks in dance class and this past weekend, we finally got the chance to watch her in action.

** Ps. I tried to shoot these pics as if I knew what I was doing and once again - I don't. Y'all, photography is HARD... and I totally suck at it. It's like I keep getting worse instead of better. ** 

But, even through the grainy picture you can see that she shines on "stage."

As an added bonus, her bestie is in the same class and they were right next to each other. 

My heart just bursts to see her so happy and confident. I am amazed by how much progress she has made since her first class two years ago. 

She really just has so much fun and that is the most important thing for me. 

Each of these girls did such a great job and now I can't wait for their recital in May!

Big thanks to Gigi and Pops for making the early morning drive in the rain for the 3 minute show!

And in a crazy turn of events - Ryan was able to make it, too! Christmas miracle, folks!

And for your added pleasure, here is the dance. (Not sure why it uploaded so horribly - it's clear on the phones!)

And that wasn't all the fun we had planned for the weekend... 

Adventures in Neverland...

 **Disclaimer - I somehow managed to change my shooting mode to Raw. Y'all I don't even really know what that means - so I clearly can't take any responsibility for the quality of these pics. I really think I should just stick to my iPhone. Filters are my friend. Now for regularly scheduled blogging.**

Gigi and Pops once again gifted Emersyn a week of dance camp for her birthday. And at her request, Landry got to attend as well. They picked "Adventures in Neverland" and y'all - it may have been the cutest thing I have ever seen. It was a hip hop class and on the last day everyone got to dress like a character from Neverland. My girls clearly picked fairies - but they didn't want to wear their Tink dresses because that would mean they couldn't be in "dance clothes."

The struggle is real. 

The big kids got to lead us all in their verse from the week which was centered around

 Matthew 6:21...

For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. 

Suzanne's is a great studio because among all the fun and frill of dance, they really do a fantastic job of teaching our kids to glorify Him in all that we do. Whether that's dressing up, dancing, or searching for gold - God should be the center of all our actions. 

The littles started us on our adventure through Neverland with a celebratory dance.

(And I need to add that we asked the girls if they wanted to be in the same class and they were super brave and decided they could be alone. Landry was like a dance all-star... hip hop may be her gift.)

And then the real adventure began... but first, pirate face.

ARGH!

They spotted land...

they walked the plank...

they scaled a mountain.... 

and crossed a bridge...

and finally got to dance around their treasure!

And then Emmy's class went on a surprisingly similar adventure... 

And I missed most of it because my camera kept saying it was full which is when I realized I was in the wrong shooting mode because, well... #momwithfancycamera

But I was able to make room for the two most adorable fairies in all of Neverland!

And she danced...

Last Saturday was a big day in the King household - it was RECITAL DAY! Emersyn was just beside herself at the thought of putting on her costume, doing her hair and getting to wear makeup. We somehow managed to get her to nap through all that excitement (and no it had nothing to do with my, "if you don't sleep, you don't dance" statement as I kissed her forehead. I mean, come on) and when she woke up Gigi and Pops had a very special gift waiting for her. 

A ballerina bracelet - that they spent much too much money on - but that she ADORED! Thanks, Gigi and Pops!

Then it was time to get ready and y'all - this part made me more nervous than her falling off that giant stage. Have I mentioned that I fall in the "lousy at hair and makeup" category of motherhood? Good, then I won't repeat myself. Except that I AM LOUSY AT HAIR AND MAKEUP. Praise the Lord for that ridiculous full-costume run through the week before. 

If you notice, her hair has bumps and that bun is a bit frizzy over the sock that I made it with. But you know what, she didn't care one bit. She just loved the time spent making her "beautiful" and I did too. 

We snapped pics before the show because we knew after the show would be chaos. She was so excited Gigi and Pops were there and she picked out Gigi's shirt to wear. 

Landry was by far the most excited to watch her Emmy dance and Radley is just the best big brother around. 

And Mom and Dad were pretty excited to see her shine, too!

And then the story gets interesting... Y'all. Hwy 6 is crazy cakes right now - we have had exits closed down for a year because they are redoing how they run, meaning where you get off and on the highway. And I know this. So the exit you would take for where the recital venue is closed which means you have to take the exit before and stay on the access rode. And I did that, except that I went into "cruise" mode and turned at the wrong light. And then freaked out because it was graduation weekend, every rode was crowded and I wanted a good seat for the show. (Because I'm the mom that likes to sit in the front). 

So I freaked out calmly decided to bust an illegal uturn. I mean who doesn't do that? Then I proceeded to time it so that I could zip around the front car turning left and make better time. Again, who doesn't do that? I think it's just fine. 

But you know who doesn't think it's just fine - the kind Bryan Police Officer that was invisible to me while on this mission. The one that then pulled me over and caused me to cry because "WE WERE GOING TO MISS THE WHOLE THING!"

(Have I mentioned my tendency to over-react?)

(I'm on over-reacting Mom that can't do hair.)

(And then that totally made me think of the line Brittany Murphy says in Clueless - "You're a virgin that can't drive." Classic.)

Anyway.

I was in the parking lot of a gas station explaining to the kind officer that I was indeed in an actual hurry because my darling daughter needed to be at her recital check-in in 10 minutes. So you know what he did?

HE KEPT MY LICENSE AND FOLLOWED ME TO THE CIVIC CENTER.

I was all, "can you at least give me a police escort?"

Ummm. No.

So we make it to the venue, I illegally enter the parking lot to get a closer space (because why does it matter at this point?) Ryan and crew head inside to grab seats. I keep Emmy with me (mercy factor) and the dear Officer says, "Do you know why you were pulled over? You turned an illegal turn."

I then explain that yes I realized I did that - I did it on purpose because I was in a HURRY. And no one was moving fast enough. 

And you know what?

I got a warning.

#honestyisthebestpolicy

So, we finally got to watch the show!! And Landry was practicing her twirls... 

And then it was Emmy's class' turn.

(Please note that these were taken at her REHEARSAL since no cameras were allowed during the actual recital. I know.)

She did so GREAT! Her entire class was on pointe! (pun intended)

And I just love watching her love something so much!

She had such fun this year and I know that she wants to take dance again, we just have to figure out how it's going to work in this crazy routine of ours. 

We are so proud of you Emersyn!! 

You are pure beauty, inside and out and we love you so much!

And next time we are leaving the house an hour early.

;)