A Girl of Many Talents

I've fallen way behind on my blog because our lives are just all kinds of CRAZY right now, but I've been anxious to get these pictures from Kyndall's Spring recitals on here.  It just so happened that her dance recital and her piano recital fell within the same week which worked out well to allow some of our family members to stick around during the week between the two.

We took Nonie and Poppie to lunch at one of our local favorites, Woodstock Bakeshop

Kyndall was in FOUR dances this year, which is a huge leap from our usual ONE.  I felt like your stereotypical "dance mom" toting my garmet bag full of costumes, along with enough hair and make up supplies to accommodate the entire dance studio.  But if you know me at all, you know my need for organization and this was no exception.  Not to mention, a few of the dance numbers she was in were nearly back to back so there was no room for error since we were in a time crunch to get her changed and ready to go for the next dance.  In fact, I didn't sit down much of the recital because I was running back and forth between the dressing room to the back of the stage and back to my seat again.  If her love of dance continues, I will be happy to see the day when she can change her own costumes and touch up her own hair and make up!

Dress rehearsal was on Saturday and the recital was on Sunday.  Since I knew recital day would be kind of hectic, I took many of my pictures on the day of dress rehearsal.  That would simply be one less thing to think about on recital day.

Thanks to my sister for this fabulous shirt!!

My parents didn't arrive until later that night but Matthew's parents were already in town so they graciously sat through dress rehearsal with us.

 Kyndall and Alyvia are the sweetest friends!  She's one of the many that we will miss when we move.

First up was ballet.....

Kyndall is in the middle here

Now she's on the far right....

Kyndall really looks up to the older girls and I love that she has such good role models in her life.

Next up was tap, which was performed to the song "Splish Splash".  This was my personal favorite!!

Then it was time to practice the Daddy/Daughter dance which would be performed at the very end of the recital.  (Side note--Kyndall did not wear this silly looking costume for the Dadd/Daugher dance on recital day!  I made sure to change her into something much more elegant.  Ha!)

Her Jazz dance was to "Dear Future Husband" and this is the same dance that they took to competition in Memphis a few months ago.  They earned first place in their age category.

Kyndall is far left

She's been working so hard on her leg stretches but still has some work to do!

So much sass!

In her very last dance she was a "mini" for the older girls as they danced to "Work"

Kyndall is far right (side note--get it, Harper!)

Kyndall's absolute favorite friend at dance is this sweet girl, Kaysey.  When we told Kyndall we were moving to Dallas one of the very first things she said was "but Kaysey won't be there!"  Broke my heart!

A little bit of fun outside once we returned home from rehearsals....

I like to drive this thing as much as she does!

My side of the family arrived later that night which made for a full house.  

Having the whole family here was such a treat!  I especially loved seeing Kyndall and her cousin Wyatt spending sweet time togehter.  We had a little down time the morning of the recital and they enjoyed hanging out on the back porch.

By lunchtime this girl had her hair and make up done and we were off to the big recital

Backstage with a few of her friends

Practicing positions with sweet Darcy

Recital time!

This was the Daddy/Daughter dance at the very end of the recital. It was done to "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman and I'm pretty sure every single person in the room was crying by the end.  SO sweet!

It was really hard to see Kyndall and Mathew but you can see a small part of Matthew here, just right of the center

Here's the video I took--It's a must watch!  Just as the Dads pick the girls up to spin them, you can see Kyndall up in the air first.  You'll know it's her because she gives us a little wave!

Awards....

Mrs. Kim recognized the "Dear Future Husband" girls for their hard work at competition.  Look at that big cheezy grin on my child's face!  She was so proud.

We are so proud of our tiny dancer!!

Kyndall's fan club.....

Goofy girl!

A gift from Nonie and Poppie before we headed home

A few more pictures at home before we retired the costumes to the dress up bin in the playroom....

We just received her professional pictures last week and here is a picture of a picture.  I'm happy with how they turned out.

My Dad made Kyndall feel extra special when he asked her to sign her autograph on his program from the recital.

After a busy afternoon it was nice to spend some quality time with the whole family while we had everyone together.

More gifts for our dancer...this time from Aunt Kelly, Uncle Michael and cousin Wyatt

For the girl who is obsessed with Paw Patrol, this gift was perfect!  

Personalized popsicle koozie!

She had quite a collection of flowers!

Because she never gets tired of dancing, later that night Kyndall wanted to put on a dance show for us.  Wyatt joined her and together they gave a great performance!

Monkey see, monkey do!

She'll have him made into a prima ballerina in no time!  Ha!

Sister, sister

More gifts from Nonie and Poppie

And a few belated pre-school graduation gifts from Aunt Kelly since she wasn't here for that

Aunt Kelly definitely knows the way to this Paw Patrol loving girl's heart!

Monday morning came and we had to say goodbye to Nonie, Poppie and G-Daddy.  Aunt Kelly, Wyatt and Grammy stayed behind to enjoy the week with us and to be here for Kyndall's piano recital the following Thursday night.

This week didn't exactly turn out like I had hoped because it was around this time that I finally admitted how awful I was feeling and things started to take a turn for the worse.  BUT....I was determined to push through as long as I could and fit in as many fun things as possible.

First on our agenda was lunch at our FAVORITE local restaurant, Dumplins

Then it was time for a good HAIRCUT.  I kept my promise and held out until after the recital, but I couldn't wait for her to get a good trim!  It was beyond time.

I promised her a frozen yogurt treat if she cooperated for the haircut

One of my not-so-wise decisions came when I insisted that we make a trip to the Memphis Zoo.  We had a really good time but it was seriously 974 million degrees outside and I really wasn't sure if I was making it out of there without an ambulance escort.  My failing liver (which I didn't fully know about at the time) in combination with the heat and the walking was simply not a good mix.  We saw pretty much everything but by the end of the day we were all beat!

This is always our favorite part of our visits to the Memphis Zoo--Having lunch with the monkeys!

I love that you can see the reflection of Kyndall belly laughing in the monkey's chest.  She was so amused by this little guy.

We took a train ride...

Watching the reptile show

I had more fun watching the expressions on her face than the show itself!  She's my little animal lover.

SO excited that she got to touch a teeny tiny baby turtle!

We ended the day with a ride on the carousel

I was DONE at this point!

We took it easy the next few days, keeping close to home since I was feeling worse and worse.  I still wanted to make it fun for the kiddos so we pulled out the water balloons and the sprinkler and had a water day.

She chose this swimsuit at the store and I think it sums her personality up perfectly!

Thirsty, Wyatt??

Wyatt isn't as fond of pictures as Kyndall is, so quite often I end up getting the stank eye!

See....

We won't be able to do this much longer!

The week got crazier as it went along, as you may have read in my previous posts.  My liver was not doing well at all and despite the wishes of my family and medical team, I chose to fore go a procedure in order to be in Jackson the night of Kyndall's piano recital.  There was nowhere else I would've been except right there watching her play her little heart out.

She picked this dress out at the store months ago

The recital was in our church sanctuary and Kyndall was so thrilled to be on the "big stage"

She played two songs, both of them from memory.  She did FANTASTIC and has improved so much since her recital last Fall.  We were so proud of her!

Here's the video of her playing....

Kyndall and Lillian---sweet friends!

Mrs. Molly presented Kyndall with an achievement award for completing her lesson book this semester

Once again, Kyndall's fan club....She has quite an entourage everywhere she goes!

Looking and feeling like death but so proud to be there!

Kyndall has the best teacher, Mrs. Molly

My Mom and Kelly stayed until Saturday before heading back to Tallahassee and taking Kyndall with them.  This worked out well because little did I know, I was about to be hit with some serious health issues and it was best for Kyndall not to be here for all of that.  

It was a busy, hectic, joyful, but FUN week and we loved having so much family time.  I just wish I had felt better so that we could have done more, especially since we now know that this was their last trip up here considering the fact that we'll be in Dallas in just a few weeks.  

To our amazingly talented girl---We could not be more proud of you and your love for the arts!  You dance and sing and act your way through life and you bring us SO much joy in the process.  You may never be an accomplished athlete or a reigning beauty queen,but your love for dance and music and art will take you so much further in life than any of that.  As your parents we hope to do everything in our power to cultivate and harness the gifts that God has given you so that you may use them for His glory and honor.  Keep on singing and dancing, sweet girl and continue spreading love and happiness everywhere you go.  Your zeal for life is infectious!