Look how cute and little Olive was at her first Ballet recital in 2011! Little did I know how many buns-to-come there would be.
Her heart's grandest wish since she started dancing was to get en pointe. Those hard shoes that make your toes blister and callus and hurt? Yes. That's what she wanted. She'd make every birthday, Christmas and holiday-in-between a request for her beloved pointe shoes, as if I could magically make her ready for them.
She auditioned earlier this year, but wasn't quite ready. Her ballet instructor thought that she might be ready early next year. When I picked her up and she told me the news, she was heart-broken and I held her in my lap, just like when she was so little. We mourned together.
She spent 5 weeks doing ballet summer intensive classes. 10 to 5, Monday through Friday. Every night I would ask her if she was still enjoying it...and she was. She was happy. She was living her passion.
By the end of the summer, she had worked so hard and developed her turn-out (is that what it's called?) that her instructor deemed her ready to be en pointe. Miss Mindi called me the weekend before she told Olive to make sure we were on board as well. It was so hard to keep that to myself! She said, "You knew all weekend long?! And you didn't tell me?!"
We are looking forward to seeing her dance her solo in the Nutcracker next month as the doll. She makes me so proud.
photo credit: Mindi Mende
Great photos! That's amazing. I can understand how unbelievably proud you are of her hard work:)
ReplyDeleteYes, she's really stuck with it through thick and thin. I can't wait for the Nutcracker!
DeleteHow wonderful Olive! Your patience, poise, passion and talents are inspiring! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI wish you could come and see them!
DeleteShe worked hard and received her reward. What a beautiful lesson! Congratulations, Olive!
ReplyDeleteYes, such a wonderful life lesson to learn at this tender age, right?
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ReplyDeleteAwesome! Congratulations Olive.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteWhat a blessing! Olive and I share that passion for dance, though I think she's much better than I am! Nice work, dancer!
ReplyDeleteDancers unite! :)
DeleteSo happy for her...and for you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :)
DeleteOlive is: gorgeous, thoughtful, determined, graceful, passionate about her dancing ... all this shows in how she holds herself, her graceful demeanor, her lithe poses, her studious concentration and, finally, her glorious dancing and being en pointe ... she is beautiful, glorious and pure ... her mom's caring, love and concern show in this delightful young woman of virtue ..... darlene
ReplyDeleteWow, beautiful photos and what an amazing accomplishment! It's so great to see them put their heart and soul into something, setting goals and working towards achieving them! You have every reason to be a proud mama! Well done!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet and so special! I'll never forget my daughter's first pair of pointe shoes. Now, at 16 years old, she hauled 6 pairs of pointe shoes to the theater this week. 2 pairs of pink for her flower demi-solo, 2 pairs of red for her Chinese solo, and 2 pairs of white for snow corps. Start saving your pennies! We pay as much in pointe shoes each year as lessons! Congratulations to Olive!
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