Fiesta Dancing

Each year the princess' dance studio performs at the South Park Fiesta. Lots of games, great food, entertainment, and a classic car competition. It's always held the last week of July, and it's always about 1000* (yes, 1000*) outside!

Last year they danced on the road and she ruined a pair of ballet slippers with the tar and gunk. Plus it was just darn hot! But like I said, it's a great venue so off we headed yesterday. And this time they weren't performing on the street but on a sidewalk instead.

I had nixed the idea of her wearing her cool purple outfit that she does her solo in because I didn't know where they'd be performing and I didn't want her rolling around in it on the tar. It's too cute! But the dance director lent her another outfit so it was all good.

And hot...about 97* when she was dancing at 3:00! Yikes! You can see by the photos how red her cheeks are. And you will see also what troopers they all are. They performed their hearts out, smiled, danced, and then RAN off the "stage" to the cooler grass!

I was at the side of the "stage" so got some good shots that I wouldn't normally get from this angle.

She knew how hot the pavement would be so wore her jazz shoes for this dance. She usually wears "paws" which just cover the ball of her foot. I vote that they all wear jazz shoes next year!

SWEET!

After her solo, it was time for the group dance...but only after she had to try to get her tights on her already sweaty body inside a sweltering hunter's tent!

Okay...off to a good start.

No Jazz shoes. Only Paws.

Look at the princess and Val. You can see it on their faces--especially Val's.

Holy Mother of Jupiter, Mars, and Venus...this pavement is HOT!

Okay, we'll get through this, but we'll take this moment with our backs turned away from the audience to look miserable.

Nice splits on the hot pavement.

Nice lift, and Taylor is thrilled to be away from the pavement for a moment!

Plus she's really glad they aren't dropping her because this is not the way this lift is supposed to go!

Another nice lift. And almost done.

And finally the "Please, God, let it be done now" pose!

They did a great job, really!

I'm very proud of them all.

On the way home we were talking about how tough you have to sometimes be to be a dancer.

"It's not for sissies," I said.

"Yeah, if it were any easier, they'd call it football," the princess replied.

Good one!