The Dance Competitions Begin!!!! First Up, Chicago!

February marks the beginning of competitive dance season around here. We spent the weekend in the Chicago area watching Alyssa's dance troupe compete. We have many more competitions to look forward to this year. It was fun to kick off the "season" as a family of six. Grace really enjoyed watching the dancing. I lost track of how many times she asked if she could go on stage. She tells us that she is "ready" to go on the stage...unfortunately for her, she doesn't actually go "on stage" until her recital in May. Doesn't Alyssa look beautiful? She is such a great girl and dancer! She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
Before heading to the theatre to watch the competition, we made a stop at Cracker Barrel for lunch. Doug told the kids they could pick out a little something sweet for desert to eat in the car as we drove the last hour of our trip...this was what Bryce came up with...umm, nope.

How about a little Sugar Daddy? Umm, nope. Try again. Grace seems to be really lovin' on her Sprite, doesn't she?

After lunch, we had enough time for Grace to catch a tiny nap before we made it to the hotel.

Then it was time for the three youngest to swim while I got Alyssa all dolled up for her first number.

Don't they look great? This is their costume for a really cool "production number" called Be Italian. They did a great job!

Thank goodness for technology. Without ipods, and DS games, we would have been in a whole lot of trouble. The boys were good sports, but we have decided that the next few competitions will be great mother/daughter get-away weekends (no boys allowed) :)

Grace after watching about six hours of dance...

Great job dancing girls! We are so proud of you Alyssa!