I don’t know about all of you, but we’ve had a fabulous weekend!  This summer-like day has been a long time coming and I hate to see it end…it’s sure to be followed by rain, cold and misery….it is after all, Indiana….I wouldn’t be surprised if we get another freak snowstorm in the next two weeks as payback for the sunshine we had today!

While today was spent outdoors, yesterday I spent the day with my daughter in Fort Wayne at her last dance competition of the season.  This was our first competition experience so we weren’t sure what to expect.  Well, we are both hooked.  It can be summed up as a lot of glitter, bobby pins  and waiting around for  awards while the performances are over so quickly!  But what I am hooked on is the look on my Evie’s face when she’s on stage.  She is pure joy and excitement.  And I am always overwhelmed with emotion of how proud I am to be her mom.  To see her so thoroughly enjoy something and to succeed at it…it’s worth far more than the cost of the costume, eye glitter and time spent waiting on scores.

So, since I am a mom…a little bragging seems in order!!!!  Here is Evie’s very first competition in Indy, where her group earned a High-Gold (for those of you who don’t know the scoring, think of it as the silver medal).

These girls are GOOD!  Below was her second competition where the girls earned Platinum!!!! (Translation:  Gold.  The best you can get!)  I was shooting a wedding that day and during a break, I asked if they would mind me making a call to find out how she did….when I heard thy had received a Platinum, I was so thrilled for them but also a bit sad that I wasn’t there to witness it (Grandma was there at least).  On the other hand, I was surrounded by a group of girls and bridesmaids who all shared in my excitement :)  Here she is at home that afternoon with her now most prized posession.

And that brings us to yesterday and her last competition at the Embassy.  Evie was as excited as ever and felt like a “super star” as soon as she saw the marquis ;)  It was definitely a treat for her to perform at such a beautiful venue.

The girls had another perfect performance and after, Evie got a little tour of the building.  She was so in awe of the place!  The girls received another High Gold to end their season with a bang.

Ugh.  Looking at her…how much she’s growing up…it’s bittersweet.  Having a daughter is like looking in a mirror sometimes.  You feel all of her pain and emotion and joy all the time.  You see her growing and maturing and it makes you proud.  You see her struggle and sometimes fail and you want to make it OK.  You see her acting just like YOU and you hesitate…because you want her to be better than you and not have to make your mistakes.  It’s the greatest gift to be given.  It’s also one of the most challenging.

So, while I’ll always remember her first competition season as a great success, mostly I’ll remember the day we spent yesterday.  Just the two of us laughing and talking like friends.  Going out to dinner.  And tucking her tired little glittered face into bed.