State Ballroom Competition

Yesterday Aubrey and her friend, Keneisha, competed at the State Ballroom Competition, which is one of the largest events of its kind for our area.  Competitors from surrounding states also come to participate. 

Like most other competitions, it means having to wait around awhile before your turn actually comes up.

In the meantime, it gives the adults a chance to make sure all of the final touches are taken care of - sequins, hair pieces, makeup, bobby pins, tucking stray ends, and...

These two didn't seem to be nervous one bit.

Aubrey and her partner, Isaiah. 

Isaiah's also had to learn to put up with me and my camera.  You're a good sport, Isaiah, thanks for all the smiles!    :)

 

Keneisha and her partner, Mickey.

It's time!  On deck and waiting in line with about 35-40 other couples for the exact same dances.  Aubrey and Isaiah competed in the Tango, Swing, Mambo, and Rumba categories. 

Competition Results: Aubrey and Isaiah made it through to the quarter-finals on every one of their dances and also made it to a semi-final or two (can't quite remember - she danced a lot so it was hard to keep track.)  Aubrey showed a great deal of improvement since last year and had a great time competing.

A Few After Shots:
It's not very often I get a chance to take pictures of Aubrey where she is all dolled up like this, so I had to seize the opportunity when I had the chance.

Aubrey and her Grandma.

(Grandpa was there too, he just happened to be out getting the car started, it was freezing outside!)

 

Ballroom Dance Night

Tonight Aubrey attended a dance held at the ballroom studio for a large group of home schooled kids.  The group had been taking classes throughout their school year and this was a chance to show what they've learned.  Even though Aubrey attends public school, she had been invited to join in anyway by her partner, Isaiah, and his family.

Which is great because it gives these two more time to practice before the competition next week.

The ages at this dance ranged from 6 to18 years old - with the first hour mainly for the younger ones.

The boys were taught how to escort their lady partners on and off the dance floor (I love seeing that kind of stuff.)  I believe every guy needs to learn how to be a gentleman.  On the flip side, every girl needs to learn how to be a lady too.

Does it get any cuter than this?:

My most favorite song of the night is the second song our my blog music list - Dark Waltz.  It's absolutely beautiful to listen to, especially when you are watching a couple dance so eloquently to it - which for tonight it was Isaiahs' parents.  They danced so beautifully together to this song, it made me get a little emotional just watching them. They were completely together in their steps and in their expression of the waltz.  It made me wish Jed was here with me tonight so that I could dance with him in the same kind of way.  To be in his arms and waltz around the floor like that- to feel and be as one with him.  It makes me miss him.  So sappy, I know, but I can't help it.  

Aubrey's friend, Keneshia, had been invited as well so naturally they hung out together.

The TANGO!!!

The Tango is one of the harder positions for girls to hold.  Her head must be held (uncomfortably) to the side and back throughout the whole dance and the knees kept bent very low.

I love this one:

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I love watching Aubrey learn and grow - she's truly turning into a beautiful dancer. 

Keep it up, Aubs!  Keep it up!

Ballroom

It's crunch time in ballroom for Aubrey and her partner, Isaiah.  They are getting ready for a competition next weekend. 

I must say, they are looking pretty good.

Aubrey's estactic about the fact that I brought my camera to her class.

Isaiah didn't seem to mind:

One of Aubrey's best friends is in the class too.

Aubrey's little cheerleader.

Swirling Around the Dance Floor

I love watching my two older kids in their ballroom class.  It's so much fun to see them learning how to dance as a couple with another person. 

In today's world where school dances are riddled with kids who either don't know how to dance, just dance in a circle (that would be me) or do a whole lotta grinding with each other, I am glad to see my kids learning that there is a whole different world of dancing out there....ballroom dancing.  Ballroom teaches kids a respectful way of dancing together and there are so many varieties too: waltz, cha-cha, tango, swing, paso doble, and on and on.

Pic above: Aubrey and her partner, Isaiah, learning a waltz variety where you have to stay low in the knees because this waltz really glides and cruises.

Connor is in the class too...

...mostly because of his mother's wishes instead of his own.  But boys are always needed and I think it is good for him since this kind of dancing teaches him to be a gentleman and a leader all at the same time.  I say leader because in ballroom it is the boys who are in charge and are to lead, not the girls.  Boys have to learn how to give cues and direction to the girls so they know what to do.   

 Arica, their teacher, knows her stuff and has a wonderful way of teaching.

Changing up partners.

One of the best dates that I've ever had with Jed was when we attended a Friday date night ballroom class and learned the East Coast Swing.  We had an absolute ball!!!  I discovered after many years of marriage that Jed is a really good dancer and better yet, leads very well.  It made me wonder why we didn't do more of this sooner.  I look forward to more of those date nights with him when he gets home.

Aubrey's Stayin' Alive Ballroom Video

Connor's Ballroom Recital Video

Connor's Cha-Cha Dance to the music: Sway.
Sorry for all of the shakiness, I was holding my two-year old and trying to record at the same time. I cut out a part of the dance because some people decided to walk around during the dance right in front of me and I couldn't see a thing, so I thought I would spare you having to watch that part.

Aubrey and Connors' Ballroom Recitals

April and May have been crazy months in regards to our kids' activities. Another ballroom dance year has come to an end for Aubrey and Connor and they both just finished up their recitals. Here are a few photos from each one.

Aubrey with her instructor, Arica. She's awesome!

Connor's "Sway" Cha-Cha for the recital.

Connor and his partner, Maia.

Aubrey's Jive to "Stayin' Alive." Aubrey really liked being able to wear black slacks for this one.

Rehearsal.

The hairdo.

For recital, not only did Aubrey have to go all out with hair and makeup, but this year fake eyelashes were part of the requirement. Man, can I just say Aubrey was not fun to deal with when trying to get her ready for the rehearsal. She was so upset with having to put on everything that she loathes -makeup, eyelashes, tons of hairspray, and a dress. She was near tears at one point and then I told her if she cried we would have to start all over with the make-up. That got her to stop real quick. Anyway, recital night went much smoother...no meltdowns. Thank goodness.

Aubrey with her friend, Keneisha.

Aubrey's Class Photos - click on the photo to see a larger version.
Partner photo: Connor and his partner, Maia.