Hurricane Harbor

Fortunately for us, Camryn only danced on Tuesday and Thursday, so that left us two days to do what we wanted. On Monday, we just played in the pool at the motel. Although, it was a bit foggy (Camryn said it was green and dirty) in color we still gave it a shot. Camryn was not too happy about it but she finally got in since the rest of us did. Then on Wednesday, we spent the day at Hurricane Harbor...a huge waterpark that is affiliated with Six Flags. It was a lot of fun, although Camryn was afraid to go on most of the slides or fun stuff. She loved the Wave pool and just wanted to stay in that the whole day. Of course Andrea would hear none of that...so the fight was on.......again. Finally, her Papaw got her to go down one of the slides with him..she loved it. So, she did it one more time by herself. I can't say that I blame her for not wanting to slide because the lines for all of them were so long and it was so hot while you waited that it was not that appealing especially when you could be in the wave pool the whole time and stay cool. Later in the day Norman ventured around the place and found Captain Hooks Lagoon for younger kids that was a lot like the kids place at Silver Dollar City. This was right up Camryn's alley. She loved it. We stayed there the rest of the day...that is until they made everyone get out and they closed that section down. Evidently some little kid had pooped in one of the pools at the end of the slide. So, they had to get the floater out and re-chlorinate the pool. By then it was so near to closing time that we decided to call it a day because we were pretty wiped out from all the sun and swimming. All in all, though, we had a super time at the water park.
Also, kudos to Coppertone 30 spf sunscreen, none of us burned!
Enjoy the pictures of our day!

Camryn and Andrea at the motel pool.
You can tell the water is not clear because you can barely see Camryn's legs.

Doing a hand stand.

Here they are in the wave pool at Hurricane Harbor

This was Captain Hook's Lagoon...an area for the younger kids. That big huge bucket fills up with water about every 5 minutes or so and then tips over spilling water on those standing below. They also have slides that go off the play house. Camryn loved this place.

This is what it looks like before the bucket tips.

They also had this area where kids could walk across the water on logs and rocks while holding on to the net. Camryn is watching how the boys are doing it and planning her tactic for getting across. I might add that all the boys in front of her fell into the water before making it across. But our little dancing girl...dogged em, because she made it all the way across without falling in. Go Girl! Show those boys how to do it!!

Away she goes!

The stomach muscles she has built up as a result of her dancing proved to be a great asset to her in being able to accomplish this task.

Look at that determination...she is almost there!

Success!!! Way to go, Camryn!

That is Andrea with her hand on her head...Camryn is behind her.

They got completely soaked, but loved it!

Momma and daughter

Nanna and Camryn

And finally....Papaw with her.

This was a great place and we had a super fun time at the water park!

Showbiz National Dance Competition in Arlington, TX

On July 5th we traveled down to Arlington, TX for a week of dancing at the Showbiz National Dance Competition. This was Camryn's second year to perform a solo. She has really improved so much in this second year of working with Ms. Marisa. It is amazing the things she can do at the tender age of seven. She also has a duet with a little girl who is a year older than her. They are like dynamite together...one spurs the other on to do better and the enthusiasm they both have for their dance routine is infectious. It has been a great year and Nationals should prove to put the icing on the cake for our little dancer.
Below are some pictures of our room and the first day of competition.

Camryn and Andrea playing in the room.
Our rooms were not what you would call plush, but they were comfortable.

Norman unloading our ice chest.

Camryn doing a little stretching while watching TV.

Time to apply the makeup for the first day of competition.

The pictures don't really show it but the tension runs high about this time between Andrea and Camryn...lots of whining on Camryn's part and irritation on Andrea's.

You can tell by the looks on their faces...they are not too happy at this point.

Camryn is in a stare while her hair is being rolled.

All dressed and ready to go!

Dance Mom and daughter

What a beautiful face and smile!

Camryn, sporting her cool shades, is ready to rock!

Walking in to the convention center

Ready for a run through of her routine

Practice before she hits the stage.

A kiss for luck from Momma

Camryn enjoys chatting with the other MKDS dancers while waiting on the awards to be given out.

Camryn gets High1st place points.

She ranked 7th overall! Woo Hoo!!! We were so proud of her!

Here the announcer was asking her who choreographed her dance. Of course she said in her sweet southern drawl...Ms. Marisa Kirby.

Here she is waiting on the duet/trio awards to be given out.

She and Callen received High1st place points on this dance as well.

Way to go, girls!

And they were ranked 4th overall...just one place away from receiving money!

Again, she tells the guy that Ms. Marisa Kirby choreographed their routine!

Here they are with their plaques...all smiles!

Ms. Karen is loving her little "Holly Rockers!"

And here they are with their awesome teacher, Ms. Marisa Kirby. She was so proud of them!

The long hot walk back to the car...this ends day one of the National competition.

This has been an awesome year for Camyn. I am really a little sad to see it end. I have loved her dances and it will be hard to get used to a new routine. However, next year we are going to let her add another solo (totaling two) and a duet as well as the two large group dances she is required to do. She will be working with a new teacher, Ms. Kristen Sadler, this year on a lyrical solo. She is really excited to be working with Camryn and Camryn is excited to be doing another solo. She really loves being on stage with all the people watching her!

Now, I just wonder where she got that trait....hmmmm????

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

I am proud to be an American and very grateful today for the privilege of living in the United States of America. I am grateful to those who both past and present have sacrificed unselfishly to give us our freedoms. I am thankful that I have "certain inalienable rights" that are provided for and guaranteed by the Constitution of this United States. I love this country and pray that God will continue to show us grace and mercy. I pray that we as a country will turn from the wicked path we are headed down and back to God. Although, I feel sure we are living in the end times and I know what the Bible says regarding that, it still frightens me as to what we will all face in the near future before God sees fit to take home with Him.

May we all find time today to reflect on how God has blessed us and to thank Him for the opportunity to live is this great United States of America...home of the Brave and land of the free!

Below is a link to a wonderful video. You will need to pause my music before watching. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdInwZQ2eFA

MKDS Dance Recital...June 26 & 27

Camryn danced in her 5th recital with Ms. Karen's Dance Studio on Friday and Saturday....wow, that is hard to believe. It is amazing how far she has come since that first dance class. She is now doing her second year of a solo, a duet, and two large group dances. I had the opportunity to get her ready for Friday night's performance because Andrea would not have had time when she got off at 5 PM. When I look at these pictures of her in full makeup, it takes my breathe away at how beautiful she is...(I can say that because I am her Nanna) and how grown up she is. When I watched her dance on stage Friday night in her large group tap and then later in her solo, I was amazed at how much older she is looking. She is an amazing little dancer and I feel we will see great things out of her for many years to come. We have been approached by one of the teachers at the studio about putting her in another solo next year. This teacher (Ms. Kristen Sadler) does most of the lyrical choreography and has choreographed and danced with a company in New York. She was basically saying she would love the opportunity to work with Camryn. Talk about making a Momma and Nanna's hearts swell with admiration and yes, pride...it sure did. We have talked it over and plan to let her do a lyrical solo next year. This style dance will enhance her technical abilities and will strengthen her core for all dances. Camryn has always wanted to do a lyrical dance and in fact according to her mother, makes up lyrical dances in her room all the time. So it should be an exciting year for her next year.


I have to share a little funny about Camryn. She was talking with our friend Hannah (who is also a dancer at MKDS) at the pool the other day about the recital and Hannah told me that Camryn said, "Yeah, I am pretty confident about getting lots of points on my solo at the recital because I have added a back-bend walk-over to my routine."

Hannah told her that they do not give points at recital, just at the competitions.

To which Camryn replied in a disappointed tone, "Well, they could at least say something nice about it when I do it." LOL She has not quite got the whole concept of competitions yet.

She asked me the other day what the National Competitions were. I told her that it was when lots of dancers come from all over to do their dances and this is the time to try to do your very best. She thought for a minute and then said, "So, I need to do the best I can so I will get lots of points and maybe win something." I said, "Yeah, that is it." She said, "Well, I will just try my best and that is all I can do." I said, "Exactly! That is all we want you to do."

We have purposely not talked about what competitions are so she will not put pressure on herself to win. We want her to continue to enjoy dancing and not feel that she has to score a certain amount to win! So, far she has done very well and has been totally oblivious to how she has done.
This is her large group tap costume. The dance is "We Rock!"

Striking a pose for me.
And again....

A closer view

Such a pretty smile!

I love this one even though it is a little blurry.

This is her Hip Hop large group costume. They dance to "Boom! Shake the Room!"

Here she is in her hip-hop costume...no lipstick

And another shot...look at that little belly.

Camryn did awesome on all her dances at the recital. It was so much fun to watch her because she loves what she is doing. We are really looking forward to the National Competition in Dallas/Arlington on July 5-10. Should be a great week for MKDS dancers!