Day 2

Two for two. Ballet solo. Might seem like "just another trophy". But she's learnt some major lessons this week and she's made me proud in ways that totally surpass the dancing. It's hard to put into words how much Katie worked for and wanted this. She's put hours of effort in, hours and hours, and spent the entire journey to the festival this morning listening to her music and visualising. She went on stage and was utterly stunning. She made a mistake in her new beginning, but she totally hid it and let it go. It didn't affect anything else. The rest was beautiful. She was gorgeous. As the adjudicator said "it was an absolutely charming performance, you have beautiful technique, you knew exactly what you were doing and it was delightful to watch". Her face was magical when she was called as first. And there on in, she delighted me even more. Because one of her besties didn't place at all and Katie handled it with such grace and dignity. I took her to one side for her overjoyed squeals and her photograph with her trophy, but the second she went into the changing room, she didn't make a fuss of it at all. She put her trophy & medal with Monkey by her case, flashed me little secret smiles and went to talk to her friend about what exciting things they were going to do this afternoon. I heard Katie later tell her friend how very gorgeous she'd been to watch. I was so proud of her. She's a beautiful, beautiful dancer & she totally owned that stage and lit up every inch of it when she came on. But she showed herself to be such a beautiful human being too. I love her even more for it. 

The extra photo is her before she went on. She just looks so grown up it's unreal. Her little girl looks have left completely.

I had to go to work today, so I quite quickly had to leave her after their section. I stayed long enough to get her changed, buy her photo and a chocolate bar then left her in her teacher's capable hands. Her crazy teacher had agreed to take all three of ours for the afternoon. They've had a wonderful time. They went out to do some pot painting, they've played extremely hard. She's not home yet, they're getting pizza then bringing her back as she's dancing at 9 again tomorrow morning. Last one for her! Plus a full day of being able to enjoy watching all her friendies. She's super excited!!