The greatest show

We have this amazing friend who uses her spare time to organize incredible productions for her daughter and friends. Isn't that the coolest?

This was Layla's third time participating. Each time she grows in big ways. Mandi truly blesses these girls with a gift of self-confidence. They put on a pretty magical version of "The Greatest Showman."

We were so lucky that they used our house for the performance in June. Here they are at a rehearsal in their matching circus shirts.

Mandi had a vision for the stage and it was so cool to see it come together! anyone with skills to create an atmosphere like this impresses me so much.

At the dress rehearsal, Brinna learned the hoops.

The night of the performance we got our little actresses ready and then the moms got ready. Mandi had the moms perform the opening song! hahaha, it was so funny. Especially since I got to help Mandi choreograph it.

 







Check out the circus in my living room! Eric hung up the lyra hoop so that Layal and Brinna could perform a little pre-show.

Brinn kept sneaking her way onto the stage before the show...she can't wait to be old enough to participate.


Then the show began!

Our little Layla took on the part of "the bearded lady" who was more of a sel-conscious unicorn/rainbow lady in their version. She sang the anthem song "this is me'' in her pure, sweet voice.

I was SO SO proud of her.

All of the girls did a spectacular job.

Such big smiles after the show!! brilliant girls!!

We ended the night with a dance party!

I love both of these dear friends so much.

Shrek the musical

Layla tried out for another play at Queen Creek Performing Arts Center and got to be a Duloc/Townsperson in Shrek the Musical, Jr. She had a blast being part of this cast!

We took the kids to see the matinee performance. It was so well done!

Layla is there next to Macie on the end on the right.

We got lucky because the girls came right next to us to sing their part of “I’m a Believer” as part of the finale.

We took all the pictures with all the people at the end of the show.

On her last performance, I got to volunteer backstage.

I love the energy of the cast backstage. Watching them get all pumped up for the performance was so fun.

I’m glad she enjoys theater so much. She’s already looking forward to the next play she will get to be a part of. 

June performances and accomplishments

June was filled with two little girls competing, performing on stage, and creating. 

Layla found a little thrill in the ribbons she earned at her swim and dive meets each week.

She got nervous to do her flip dive and so went with the "watermelon" dive instead.

Layla also did a week of beginning sewing classes in the neighborhood. She followed that up with two workshops to create pillows and a lunch box. She loves sewing now.


Layla had a little piano recital at our house in front of a small audience of her adoring fans. We loved her piano teacher this year!

We got quite the treat when Brinna chose to play us her song, too. 


Layla and Brinna both performed on the big stage for their dance classes.

Layla grew a lot by taking these classes this year. She developed in grace and confidence. So proud of her!

Brinna spent half of the year telling her teacher she was only go to tap and not do ballet. And she stuck to her word for most of the year.

Thankfully her number on the stage was a tap dance. So she was willing to perform. You just never know what you will get with Brinna. She was actually doing great during the performance--tapping, bopping, and rolling her hands on cue. Everyone stepped to the right for a little dance move. They were supposed to return to their designated spots on the stage. However, a little boy in her class got confused and went back to Brinna's spot instead of his own. That didn't go over so well with Brinna. She stared at him in disbelief. She put her hands on her hips. She folded her arms and pouted. He still did not move. So she didn't either. She stayed there mad for the rest of the show. And oh man did she tell us all about the injustice of this boy taking her spot after the show!

Still mad about it all. We were so glad to have jacqui and macie come and watch the girls!




Our friend organized an amazing garage theater and Layla got the part of the Witch in Into the Woods. It was an incredible show! The kids (and dear Mandi) worked tirelessly for three weeks to create back drops and practice songs and it was such a great show. Layla's confidence sky rocketed and her love of theater grew exponentially because of amazing Mandi and such kind, supportive kids.

Layla's witch faces were spectacular!

The performance definitely deserved some treats at Jeremiah's.

Layla and Brinna both spent a week of mornings at a Frozen camp. Little Brinn was not feeling it on performance day and just bawled. 

So we snuggled while her friends sang.

Layla was not shy during her performance.

June was clearly a very busy, theater heavy month. I'm glad they could participate in so many things and develop their little talents.