Mikayla had her dance recital this past Saturday. And, just like any other mom proud of her little girl...I took A LOT of pictures!! She just looked so cute in her dance outfit!
Before heading out to her dance rehearsal on Friday night, we went in the backyard so I could snap some pictures of Mikayla "all dolled up" for her big performance. I knew Saturday morning would probably be a rush (and it was), so I am glad I took the time to take pictures the night before. Most of the poses you see below were all by her! It was like she knew exactly what to do!
{click on picture to view larger}
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqUyUeDf77MGhyphenhyphene5whB40sl1qdCU9aqV5ycALBwoh84M8qehqru8H9UgZZ_Z8cmR_iYzk2O0cbgeqmjT7zmXblxpBXn8YYlnyspmGrxrUueNsNJa4dYb7cDffZgMHbZVNSPnhWLKBTAA/s400/Mikayla%2527s+pre-dance+COLLAGE.jpg)
Technically we weren't supposed to take flash pictures during the rehearsal or performance, but I couldn't figure out how to take the flash off my camera, so I broke the rules
(shocker for me, I know!) and snapped some with the flash. And, I must say...I'm glad I did! I loved being able to capture these moments of her in her "element". Since I was able to capture some pictures during rehearsal, I was able to just sit back and enjoy the performance on Saturday. Her class performed a tap and ballet routine and it was ADORABLE!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfNGWLfgKzwqYrZ1Kzd_kGWlLQKHejYbDW1Do3T_P67bPkz28aKHuVZFSsfORpjgMIPTiB7LUCJhH0sakScKAzKjyIiPEL2AQoZm-8NOU01ilhxLeXjpT1iG-Y8XZ-17qjJowZ2OBJ7c/s400/Mikayla%2527s+Dance+Performance+COLLAGE.jpg)
Mikayla's dance teacher Miss Jenny (whom she LOVES) is leaving the dance studio and we will definitely miss her! She has been Mikayla's teacher for two years and has been such a light for Mikayla. Her sweet personality and caring heart towards her dancers makes her a very special person! At the performance each of the dancers gave Miss Jenny a single rose. It was a really special moment and I actually got choked up!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyObojULXpJQewjrHl0I4pF2O0Z_NZVnqkSF2nodglGQzfULqDhrPttXUNj7pC32Ajj5C9k5iMQqTTTCBHXASt_t1jKHBGHNeiCR0l1bTWgxqXRQRGyKe8qVGvoCzQNSQ8VQTaaSJs-kE/s400/IMG_5958.JPG)
I normally don't post blurry pictures, but I just thought this moment was precious. Mikayla had already given Miss Jenny her rose and then went to sit back down. All of the sudden she gets up again and I see her give Miss Jenny a hug from behind. I wasn't prepared for that, so I didn't get a great picture. Later, after the performance, Mikayla said that she had said to Miss Jenny, "Thanks for being my teacher." Mikayla really has such a tender heart!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjZAHfDY4fE2OBipqO4qgsFdHP8_Puh5V4XLNiuTGWtRtViB4vXfaviPLNnP8biJKcCNgAQ72H-IsSP3BkGlMfdIqxYZOmTKzkdzPYNmCfdYlKFl3S7uvdwnnOKBD4lv6QoyZmYLXt6g/s400/IMG_5959.JPG)
After the performance!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVPreVKyMFJFyH51kxodu_ZJlpwiN3CoJioP3C5uXDuG4cbbWrFDJpApTrGguTjchzNJF2CuiIJdMKEs5-xMufDWj3ElIkT2Jdj6suA1qLoEwQortv6rko2Fti-VkoFcGPbnCvFvyJwI/s400/Mikayla%2527s+Dance+Performance+after+COLLAGE.jpg)
My beautiful daughter is a beautiful dancer!
(I'm a little biased, of course!)