Ballerina girl.

Yesterday saw the much anticipated Ballet Show that Niave has been looking forward to all year. We were a bit apprehensive as to how she would cope on the day after the less than enthusiastic sports day a couple of weeks ago.

It wasn't a concert as such, more a display of what they have learnt through the year.

She had to be there 45 minutes before her time slot to have her hair done etc.

We were encouraged to drop them off in the "dressing room" hall to make the separation easier. Niave still has trouble separating at school so I thought we were in for tears but she was absolutely fine - they'd been well prepared by their teacher.

When she appeared on stage I hardly recognised her!She looked so different with her hair in a ballet bun and a little bit of make-up on. I had to double check that I was in fact photographing the right child!!

She did really well, they were on stage for quite a while and she kept it together for the "entire performance"! Of course there was the time (about 5 minutes into their display) that she suddenly got this look of absolute desperation and urgency on her face while hesitantly grabbing her crotch!! She needed to wee. Yes, of course she needed to wee, Niave needs to wee everywhere. At the beach, at the park, on almost every shopping trip so why should a stage appearance be any different!!

(It is captured at the end of one of the video clips but it is too big to upload)

Anyway, Linda (her ballet teacher) was very calm and took her off to the loo and then it was on with the show.

It was very sweet and took me back to when Abigail had done a similar display at the same venue when she was about 5. She wouldn't be caught dead in a ballet tutu now!!

I love this picture. It's the last "move" of the display, it was supposed to be only the Barkly House girls (there were 2 schools represented in her slot) but the little girl in the middle (on Niaves right) is not from her school. She didn't seem to notice that she wasn't dancing with her friends but Niave was thoroughly unimpressed and kept glaring at her! She was in her way and cramping her style - in more ways than one! But she didn't push her out the way or yell or shout, she just quietly (but grumpily) carried on with her cramped dance! Another moment of better self control, we're getting there - baby steps!