Show stopper

You know how there's always that one kid in the school play or the church concert that's just hamming it up, oblivious to the audience, having a great time for a great time's sake? I've always wondered what that kid's parents were thinking as they watched, helpless, from the front row.

Now I know.

Abby definitely surprised us with her enthusiasm at her inaugural ballet recital and dress rehearsal. I fully anticipated coming home with a video of my precious daughter in her precious tutu standing frozen on stage, too distracted by the lights, the audience, and the parental paparazzi to recreate any of the routine she's been practicing for the past six months. Much to my surprise, she did just the opposite.

Not only did she and the rest of her small troupe of 2- and 3-year-olds actually remember the steps of the routine, Abby got so into it that she almost twirled herself right off the stage.

The routine started out slowly, with the girls calmly waving their scarves in front of them. But the very next move--a series of twirls--really got things going. Abby spun once, then again, and when she spun back to face the audience, the look on her face told me that she was loving her few minutes of fame up on that big stage. She proceeded to do the rest of the routine--the hand motions, the jumps--all while continuing to spin. She twirled so long and so fast that she lost her place in line and twirled dangerously close to the edge of the stage before her instructor caught her and brought her back to her spot. Unfortunately, by that point she was so dizzy that she couldn't have stood in one place if she'd tried.

I certainly can't say she was the most graceful one on stage. Nor was she the most composed. She was by far the cutest, though, and our little ballerina had a blast at her first performance. In that regard, I'd say the recital couldn't have gone better.