Frozen Again

Tonight we returned to see the Gainesville Ballet once more, and once more it was to see their production of "Frozen."  The dancers were largely the same, but it's a school of ballet so there were a few notable absences, some having graduated last year.  But again, we find that there are some graduating this year, and we always ask the same question, "How are they going to go one without this dancer or that?"

The answer is right here, actually.  These younger dancers come up, and every year there are some that are so impressive and talented that you are left with the question, "How can we go on without them?"  Yet, next year, there are more that are equally talented, and the cycle continues.  Still, some of these faces are so familiar that it is hard to say goodbye each year.

This year was easier for us, because we weren't a part of the system anymore, as Madison has left the school to be with the taekwondo, a decision she is still quite content to have made.  We ask her from time to time, and let her know it's okay to go back.  But she doesn't miss ballet as much as she misses her friends.  She enjoys ballet, and wanted to support her friends who were dancing.  And she loves dancing on stage with them.  It's just not as enjoyable to her as taekwondo is.  And so here she was, going back stage afterwards to see her friends - it was a reunion that was a bit overwhelming to her.

She was in tears from time to time, just because she was so happy to see everyone that she had missed so much.  So it goes without saying that we're probably going to the spring recital too!

You can see her here with her former ballet instructor, Mrs. Jocelyn.  This is all backstage - you can see the black area behind is the actual stage, and the doorway prop there to the left.  If you want to see more pictures of the production itself from last year, click here.

It was a great night to go out and do something, and it was a sweet experience, although a bit on the late side.  We had an enjoyable time, sitting in our usual seats at the front row of the upper balcony.  But I think that the reunion afterwards in the "Black Box" backstage was the most memorable thing for her, seeing her friends in person backstage after their performance, congratulating them and sharing stories.  We might be sharing more stories soon, as our Spring Breaks are coinciding, and one of the girls may be down in Florida at the same time.  We'll see how that works out as we get closer, but it goes without saying that Madison would love to meet up once again.

So the rest of the day was largely a day for us a day indoors.  There was plenty of work-related material to go over, and Madison was playing her piano some, working on her recital pieces and other items on her practice sheet, along with a few songs from "The Greatest Showman."  Speaking of which, Mrs. Pam's theme this year is the circus, which is something Madison actually guessed.  To that extent, we might be helping with some props, possibly.  We've done that in the past, and had some great things to contribute.  These usually turn out really well!

Today we were reading about Gambit and Rogue's first big date, returning to our comic books.  We had a super sad one to read through, and then there is the hope of Gambit and Rogue, although that goes back and forth for a while.  Ultimately, Daddy's last comic with them has a bit of a reunion - Madison has a soft spot for those two, as did Daddy when I was reading the comic for the first time more than twenty years ago.  We were collectively "shipping" those two a long time ago.  Coincidentally, Madison was surprised to discover who Rogue got her powers from, the hero that we all just went to see in the movies recently, "Captain Marvel."

It was a quiet day off, although we were all a bit busy in the house, typing and playing keys, and cleaning, and even some packing for an upcoming trip.  Lots to do, but there was a balance too - we were playing some games, reading comics, and sleeping in too.  It was a nice day together.