Days 437-438: Closing One Chapter and Opening Another

This weekend was spent closing one chapter and beginning the next. Ten years ago to the day Issa had her first dance recital at To the Pointe:

Here she is in her last:

It is amazing to see how much she has grown as a dancer. She has always loved it, but she has gotten so strong...and she has a bit more stage presence:

Ballet is still her favorite, and she loved dancing with Ms. Kathy this year:

And she still had her usual cheering section:

Although Dad is now learning to strike her poses:

After ten years, though, it is time to make a move. We will always be grateful for the technique and foundation she gained at TTP, but the increased focus on competition just isn't for us. The good news is some of Issa's dance friends are moving with her:

And Sunday we officially became Monarchs, so we celebrated with butterfly nails:

 

Issa will be part of the Kaleidoscope Team, and we are so excited! She will compete, but only three times and only one group dance and a solo. The focus will be more on community performances--some that will be designed for specific spaces. Their first opportunity will be designing a piece that will be danced in the sculpture garden of the Nasher Art Museum. It will be recorded and become part of their collection, too!

Issa is so excited to get to continue dancing but to be able to focus more on the art and joy of it again. And we are all excited for this next chapter to begin...