the Princess and the Pea

Avery came home from school excited to try out for the play "The Princess and the Pea"  I was happy to see her desire to try something new.  She has never done anything like this before.  At this point the tryouts were still a month away, I wasn't sure her enthusiasm would continue.  Sure enough, on the day of tryouts she was ready and excited.  It would be a time consuming day with a long audition and I looked to Ellie to stay home and watch Zach.  Sometimes even the best laid plans go awry.  Ellie decided last minute to also tryout for the play.  I have to admit, at first I was frustrated.  There goes the babysitter.  Pack up Zach, grab some activities for a 3 hour block of time and off we go.  As I gathered my thoughts and pulled it together, I realized this would be a great experience for Ellie as well.  I was thrilled to have both girls to jump on this opportunity. It would be a valuable experience to stretch themselves and leap out of the comfort zone and I was eager to see them audition.    As we pull into the parking lot, I just finished my " be yourself and you'll do great" pep talk...Ellie burst into tears.  She didn't want to do it afterall, she was to frightened.  I decided at that point to make her continue.  Infact, I forced her out of the car (still beliving this would be a positive experience)  Luckily, she ran into a friend and quickly wiped away her tears. 100 children tried out for the play in a group audition.  I was in the auditorium and heard the girls tryout.  I was so impressed.  They both used expression when they spoke and obviously impressed the directors as well.  I was on pins and needles as they read the names of the children that would be cast.   First they read Ellie, she made it as assistant director (later was given a speaking part) After about 20 more names, they read Avery.  I was so proud of both of the girls.
    Play practiced started that very night.  Ellie needed to be at every practice, learning all the parts.  She would assist  the director in everything from set, makeup, lining up the characters, songs, dance moves and helping those who forget the lines.  She would run the show.  In the end, the character "tree barker" got sick and had to drop out.  She immediately stepped in and wore both hats, director and character.  Avery was a "dust bunny."  This was the group of young boys and girls who sang and danced 2 numbers.  At first she was disappointed in not being cast as the Princess or the Pea.  It looks like our  7 year old has big ambitions.  But, she was the cutest lil dust bunny you ever did see. 
They did it.  They learned that tough practices and hard work pays off.  They challenged themselves, learned new skills and battled their fears.  They felt the accomplishment of performing on stage.  Sweet reward of a job well done. 

Before the show.

Avery and her 2 best friends made the play.  I brought the girls back and forth each day.

Ellie was happy to see her friends as well.

The cast of characters. 

During the show.

Ellie in her shining moment.  She had several lines in the show.

Avery and the dust bunnies did several song and dance numbers.

After the show.