In it for the snacks

I think we have figured out Macy's motto: in it for the snacks!

Really, this statement describes her personality, her motivation, her passion to a "T".

She is always saying that she's hungry. Well, that's because she doesn't like meals. She'll eat a few bites then want to be done...unless it's something she loves like pancakes, chicken noodle soup, mac and cheese, or cheese quesidillas. When I pick her up from school I get a hug, then I get: "Mom, did you bring me a snack?"

She is perfectly content to not be playing soccer this season - until the end of the game comes and the snacks get handed out. I feed her right before we leave just so she won't be hungry. If I bring along her own treats, she can't wait until the end of the game to eat them, and then she's sad to not be eating with Kennedy (who always shares with her anyway.)

Friday night was the big opening show for the girls' dance performance. I helped them get all ready at Grammie and Pamp's, taking out the sponge curlers they had worn all day at school and putting on makeup before heading over to the theater. The girls looked so cute in their curls, costumes, and makeup (not to mention grown-up!) I met our family and friends in the lobby and found some seats in the sold out theater. I was so exited to see the production of The Wizard of Oz and especially my beautiful dancing girls! Macy's class was doing a ballet to "What a Wonderful World" and was about the fourth number. Seeing those tiny little girls skip out on stage was so cute. I scanned the line, looking for Macy - I had seen the dress rehearsal the day before so I had an idea of where she was supposed to be standing - but she was not there. At least I didn't think so. She really did look different with her hair all pulled back and curly. But, how could I not recognize my own daughter? Maybe it was that one? I don't know. Finally Jake and I were certain that she just wasn't on stage! I was so sad, a little mad, and a tiny bit worried. What had happened to Macy?

Kennedy's class came out a few songs later, doing a jazz dance as munchkins to "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead." Very cute! Kennedy was well prepared and looked great up there! Her class had a quick costume change in the hallway (not even enough time to make it back upstairs to the dressing room) before coming back out as Lollipops for a tap number. This one seemed to be every one's favorite, but Kennedy and I couldn't decided which we like better. She really seems to love performing, and it was a treat to look out into the audience to see her friends Amelia and MaeMae sitting with their moms in the front row!

By the time the show had ended, the girls had been there over three hours. When I made it to the dressing room to pick them up, Kennedy was in tears and the volunteer moms looked a little panicked about her distress. I guess she was just wanting me to come get her and was feeling lonely, tired, and sad. She tried to come into the theater after her dances, but was turned away - kids had to stay in the dressing room until picked up by a parent. Where was Macy? She was happily sitting in the hallway eating the snacks I'd packed for them, of course. Macy said she didn't dance because she was afraid of the mannequin backstage and also afraid that she would fall off the stage. We joined up with Grammie, Pamp, Dad, Aunt Beth, Eliza, Grandma Sue, Sara and her mom, Amanda, Caitrin, and MaeMae, and Misti and Amelia in the lobby. The girls were so happy to see everyone and get flowers and more treats! There was some funny discussion about if Macy had actually been dancing - I wasn't the only one who wasn't quite sure.

Both girls danced beautifully for the remaining two shows. It helped that I volunteered in the dressing room and could go backstage with Macy before her number. I also brought along some Wizard of Oz coloring pages and bingo with skittles candy to pass the time. Macy is already looking forward to the performance next year, and has decided that she won't be afraid of the mannequin anymore.