Sparkle On, Sister

Sophie, I hope I never forget what it was like to experience your dance recital weekend this first year you were on a dance team. To say you were in your element is something of an understatment! Part of your team's [Sparkle Sisters] commitment was to dance in all FOUR recitals over the weekend. You were in 2 numbers [one tap, one jazz] in each recital, plus the closing number with all teams together. After we added in the dress rehearsal, we logged MANY hours at Chaska HS! I thought you'd be wiped out[I was]. I thought you'd need a break [I did]. I thought you might even--gasp!--be tired of dancing by the time the weekend was done. Not quite!

Love that team name and love that you really do 'sparkle' when you get onstage, Soph. You girls even spent the time between recitals learning each other's dances and goofing around--onstage. Must have heard "Little Suzy ___, walking down the street, couldn't find a partner so she stopped in front of me!" a hundred times in the hallways. I asked you what it felt like when you were up there dancing. You told me you could see the audience, especially those in the front rows, and you liked to get them to smile and look at you. A few even pointed you out and you told me you could tell they thought you were a good dancer! :-) Another thing that made me smile was how much you loved wearing your stage makeup. I thought you'd be soooo ready to get those false eyelashes off, but nope. You asked me if you could just keep them on "just a few more minutes, please!" So very glamorous.

Love, love, love seeing your passion for dance! You worked really hard and learned a LOT. Remember, we're you're biggest fans no matter what, sweetheart!