Irish Dancing Queen

I was hoping to get some pictures to put up with this post but for some reason my pictures did not turn out and I haven't received the pictures taken by anyone else yet, so I guess as soon as I get the pictures I will post them.

When Annie was 2 years old we went to Festival of Trees. Gracie was only 2.5 months old at the time and after a few hours enjoying all of the beautiful trees I needed to feed her. Luckily, we found some seats at the rear of one of the stages in between performances. Little did we know that the act that was about to take the stage was going to change our oldest daughters life forever. Soon after I began feeding Gracie, the Claddagh School of Irish Dance began to perform and Annie's eyes were glued to the stage. Within moments she darted up several rows to the front and began imitated the dancers every move. For the next 30 minutes while the Irish Company continued their performance Annie continued her imitation right along with them. When the Claddagh School was complete Annie was intrigued and wanted to know how she could learn to dance just like the girls she had seen on stage. Being that Annie was quite young at the time, I was surprised at her interest. I blew her off a little, thinking with time she would forget. Boy, was I wrong. Not a week went by that I didn't hear how much she wanted to be an Irish Dancer. I finally contacted the Claddagh Dance Company only to find out that she had to be at least 4 years old before they would accept her into classes, so we would have to wait for awhile.

The day finally came when Annie would be old enough to actually be able to participate and when I called the Claddagh Dance Company I found that there was another Irish Company closer to home, in Cedar Hills. So, Annie began her Irish classes in September 2008 with the Shelley School of Irish Dance. It has been a dream come true for Annie. One that I as her mother am constantly amazed about, because I remember so well the first day she saw and fell in love with Irish dance.

Last Friday, April 3, 2009 Annie had the opportunity to participate in her first performance in front of an audience. We were so proud of her. We invited all of our family and everyone that could come did. Annie did her dance so well, and didn't even want to leave the stage. After her dance was over she was able to come back out into the audience to sit with her family and enjoy the rest of the show and when she did she asked her dad, "Daddy, do you think I will be able to get one of those pretty dresses and wigs someday?" If you know much about Irish Dance you know that as they get a little further on in performing they actually wear a wig (full of ringlets -- much MUCH easier than putting their hair up with each performance) and a VERY detailed dress. She was so excited to be a part of Irish Dance and being able to showcase her new skills in her first performance obviously lit a flame within her soul for this sport. I shouldn't say just now lit that flame...because that is what amazes me about her. She has had that flame lit ever since she saw the Claddagh Dance Company perform at Festival of Trees when she was just 2.

I really have an amazing daughter. Her love of her dance is not the only thing that is amazing about her. She told me the other day that when Jesus comes back to earth she is going to have her daddy drive her around in the car until she can find Him so she can bring Him back to our house and she will bring Him up to my bed...because then He will make me better. Amazing, isn't it? She says things like this quite often and really makes me grateful for such a wonderful daughter!