Death by Tutu

Yay! It's ballet recital time! For most families across America, this is a fun time, getting a cute costume and getting to wear make-up (boys too--and let me tell you they are cute). But wait--do you hear that sucking noise--no, it's not your Romba. That's the most anal dance school in the Western Hemisphere making a fun event into a stressful, need a drink NOW, sorta event :0

Before I go on, let me first say I have been going to the most complex, Type A dance recital in America  at the most anal dance school in the Western Hemisphere for almost seven years. So you'd think I would not get all glassy eyed when they pass out the 16 page booklet of rules for each dance during the mandatory come-unless-grandma-just-died-or-you-are-on-your-deathbed parent meeting. But I do. I sigh as I glance through the page after page of requirements like the full page of make-up guidelines or the specific type of tights or the way you need to polish your ballet shoes. And then I get my pen ready for the numerous additions I need to know for each and every dance my daughters are in. I need to trim the wrap around Sara's bun to go exactly ten inches below her low bun; I need to buy special bobby pins to fix the feathers around Miley's high pony tail; the belt buckle on Miley's jazz costume needs to be tacked right on the top of the loop and at the bottom (they'll test it at dress rehearsal).

So you may ask why the heck do I subject my kids to this (have you tried to slick a very tiny girl's hair into a high bun with absolutely no whispies?). Easy, I do it because they love it. They see the months of hard work and constant dedication to do their very best creates a show that the audience will remember forever.  It's a lesson I try to teach in school (get your math facts down and you will find things easy) but is much more vivid to them on show day. And I love how perfect the most complex, type A dance recital in America is. It really is perfect ;)

Tonight I get to attend my mandatory come-unless-grandma-just-died-or-you-are-on-your-deathbed parent meeting for the ballet dances--I have already attended jazz and tap. I will smile and remain calm. Then I will come home, carefully hang the tutus upside down and steam them. Then I will have a lovely glass of Dynamite Merlot while listening to Handel's Water Music. And I will be happy if only until tech rehearsal!