Annika's 1st Irish Dance Recital

Annika had a rather big day on Sunday... her first Irish dance recital with Tara Academy. Not a surprise, she loved EVERY minute of it.

Back in kindergarten, her teacher (hi, Meghan!!) made a comment to me about how Annika was born to be on the stage. She wasn't kidding!! Annika loves an audience and entertaining people... she always has and (probably) always will. She's my girl, what can I say???

Getting ready to leave for the performance space

Annika was incredibly fortunate to have quite the cheering section in the audience. She had Daddy, Conor, Bestemor and Bestefar, Auntie Suzanne, Uncle Troy and Auntie Staci, Kat, and Ian. WHEW!! Talk about it taking a village to raise a performer/dancer/child!

One neat takeaway from the day was how the dancers put a decorative pin at their shoulder on the cape. Her teacher generously shared many of her pins with the dancers, and I suggested that Annika look for a pin to use in the future when she goes to Ireland later this month. (Side note: Bestemor, will you please help her find one or two as souvenirs??)

Ms. Erin attaching Annika's cape

The students danced their hearts out ... and showed what hard practice and kind teachers can help them achieve. Thank you to her teachers for their kindness, patience, and willingness to share their knowledge.

Annika was recently told that she has been promoted from the beginner level to the 1st intermediate level class. Talk about a feather in her cap! I can only image that Annika was jig even more than she does now ... which means she will probably dance in her sleep before much longer!!

Post-show with her flowers and certificate