Gabbi's first day of dancing

Today Gabbi got to make her dancing debut!!

I rememeber this time a year ago, when these two "big girls" were having their first day of dance too! Dontcha love this sister love in this picture?! I sure do!

When I brought home the new tap shoes and ballet shoes, and Gabbi Girl was trying them on, Ellie could hardly keep her hands off her. She would hold her shoulders and direct her, "Now watch Sissy. Do it like Sissy, ok?! Can you do it like Sissy!?"

For the record, no one calls her Sissy but herself!

I warned Linda Lou that she would have an "assistant instructor" on her hands today!

Look at Linda Lou's face when she saw Gabbi Lou come in the dance class. We have all been waiting on this day for a year. Gabbi has patiently waited for her own debut! She had to sit in the waiting room and watch Ellie and Madi on the tv screen for a year, always wanting to go in the class with them.

And finally, the big day arrived. Can you believe my BABY is in dancing?!

I had a pretty good time buying new leotards and tights and shoes for this big day.

Meredith, another dance instructor, commented on my Facebook, that Ellie whipped around, showing them the back of her leotard and said, "Mine has an open back". That kid!!

JinJin made sure Gabbi had a new pink tutu for her first day. She is out of town, so she missed this debut, but we were sure to wear her tutu, and texted pictures right after class!

And to Pops and Kimie, and Pammy and Nicole, and Paula and Daddy, and DeeDee.....

Ok, so look closely on these monitors! See that little one in the pink tutu? She is typically a little out of line! But sho nuff having FUN!

There she goes again... like a little Pied Piper!

And there's Miss Linda sitting in the front, letting it all play out. Letting her little spirit SOAR!!

When I texted Paula the picture, she responded,"How did she like it?" I responded..."Her face could hardly contain her smile. And my chest could hardly contain my heart!"

And that's how I felt! I was just so proud of her! So happy that BOTH my girls are happy! Paula thought maybe it was my "baby" growing up. Maybe it was. I can't imagine kindergarten if that is what that feels like! I'll be in a fetal position in the guidance counselor's offcice at school! I may get a job serving lunch in the lunchroom just to be near them. It's gotta be an "older" mama symptom!?

Gabbi was one of the smallest kids in her class! But that's OK.

She has one of the biggest spirits!

And like that, I survived Day one of what I am sure will be many, many, many days of dancing in our futures.

All three of them... I can't wait to see what they choose. Where their interests will lie. At present, Ellie loves art. Madi loves gymnastics. And Gabbi Girl is showing a preference for balls. Who knows?!

So maybe Madi will be our cheerleader. Ellie our artist. Or journalist?! Or fashion designer!!

And Gabbi Girl may just want to play ball. (SOMEBODY MUST play ball! That was my thang!)

And not that Miss LInda Lou was playing favorites or anything, but she DID bring a whole thing of grapes (Gabbi's fave) to dancing to entice her if needed or reward her when finished.

As it turned out, we only needed the reward!!

It was a good, good day!

MO