A Twirling, Whirling Mother's Day

What a busy, special Mother's Day we celebrated!  Ned got up with the kids for the 2nd morning in a row, always a treat, and fixed cinnamon rolls, eggs, and bacon.  He and Avery then went to Sunday School and I enjoyed some quiet time while Sam napped.  We were not able to attend 11 a.m. worship because of Avery's dance recital, so when Sam got up, he and I were able to spend some time together with just the two of us.  We played and I made a pasta salad while he cooked on the floor.

Once Ned and Avery got home, we were able to play a little more before lunch and getting ready for the recital.  We were all dressed with Avery's hair in a bun ahead of schedule.  Ned's aunt kept Sam for the recital, which was a huge relief.  I've had many gripes about the recital on Mother's Day, but the biggest one was finding someone to keep Sam.  Mimi came with her to put him down for a nap before coming to the recital, which eased my mind.

I was pretty worried about how Avery would do when I left her in one of the school classrooms to wait until her performance.  We had talked about it a lot, and she sent me off with a big smile and kiss.  Each room had a helper so that moms didn't have to go back for costume changes.  Luckily Avery's group only changed skirts and shoes.  She and Camden had snacks and watched a movie with the other girls in their class.

Since my mom's stroke in December, it's been her goal to see Avery's dance recital.  She initially was supposed to go home a few weeks ago, but her hospitalizations increased her rehab time.  It is about an hour drive from where she is to here, and between that and it being the first time my dad took her out, it was going to be a lot on him.  He made sure it all worked out, and both of them were able to see Avery's tap performance.  I was pretty stressed thinking my dad was stressed, and also about seating, but it all worked out perfectly.  Avery's tap performance was the 2nd of the day, and I told them to go on after that.  The day was enough on both of them without sitting through all 2 hours of the recital.  Avery sadly didn't get to see them, but she talked to them both on the phone afterwards.  Prayer certainly made it all possible and it was wonderful for them to be there.  Two days before Mom's stroke we all watched Avery steal the show as a sheep in the Bible Zone Christmas performance, so it was so nice to be together again watching our favorite little girl.

Just as in the rehearsal, Avery did her moves plus a few extra, fixed the booties covering her tap shoes, and stopped cold as one of her classmates had to leave the stage for a potty emergency.  Maybe one day I'll be the mom who doesn't cry each time her child performs, but today was not the day.  I teared up during her first dance and then as I watched the big girls dancing.  I am so proud of my little girl for being fine without me and dancing her heart out on that big stage in front of so many people.  That probably means she's not such a little girl anymore.

The recital went really smoothly and 24 performances were done in 2 hours.  Smartphones and texting other parents helps to pass the time when you've seen enough dancing for a few minutes.  I texted with Anna and Ned texted with Caleb so that worked out quite well.  I didn't realize the lighting was good enough for pictures until the curtain call.  Perhaps my Mother's Day gift next year will be a snazzy new zoom lens.

We came home to a happy Sam who had napped and played well.  I wanted a few pictures with my babies, which meant I had to check my settings with Ned and the kids first.

We got changed then headed out to pick up some dinner.  Avery was fading fast after no rest but made it through dinner and some play time.  The kids were in bed early after our big day.

My two sweet children are my life's biggest accomplishments, and they have made me the one thing I've always wanted to be.  I am so blessed and proud to mother them each day.  I am beyond thankful that my mom is here today and was able to be with us.  We should have been celebrating her but she had no problem passing the spotlight to Avery.  We are looking forward to some special time with Yaya at home soon.  The day was definitely my favorite kind of stressful day, the kind that goes perfectly and leaves you feeling so blessed and happy.