Day of dance workshops

Today was all about taking dance workshops.  Zoe did a ballet, a hip hop and a tap class.  Fun to be able to learn from different teachers and learn some new moves.  It was a busy morning!  This afternoon there is a big thunder and lightening storm with pouring rain and wind.  Perfect for taking a nap prior to getting ready to watch Jackie compete in the Miss Dance of America competition tonight.  Will try to blog again late night to let you know how Jackie did but expect we will be out until way past midnight.  The competition goes from 8pm to 11pm and then we plan to go out with Jackie, Ms. Shely & her parents to celebrate! And now, the pictures and a few short videos from hip hop and tap class. 

Writing a good luck card for Jackie!

Off to dance classes

Taking a break between classes

Some more pictures from competition

Here's a few more shots from Zoe and Jackie's duet performance as well as a few from Zoe's solo.

Another amazing day of competing!

So I realized I never explained how the scoring and awards work here at Nationals.  Well let me explain.  Each number in the competition gets an individual score.  And that score translates into a Bronze, High Bronze, Silver, High Silver, Gold or a Platinum.  Then based on your score, they give a First, Second & Third Place for each category.  Categories are based on the number of people in the routine (solo; duo/trio; small group numbers; large group numbers), the type of dance routine it is (lyrical; ballet; jazz; tap; musical theater, acrobatics, contemporary, hip hop, pointe) and then the age(s) of the dancer(s) in the routine (and ages are divided into 6 divisions).  So Zoe competed in Solo Lyrical Division 2.  And Zoe and Jackie competed in Duo/Trio Lyrical Division 5 (and it was Division 5 cuz Jackie is 18 yrs old so they were in a higher division then Zoe was for her solo).  So anyways, on to the news for today.  Zoe and Jackie got a Platinum individual score (only 3 given in their category) and 3rd place overall in their category!!  We were thrilled!  For Zoe's first time to Nationals this has been amazing.  So once again, some moments from our day in addition to a few cool shots that were taken from the professional competition photographer during their duet performance.

Ready to go in my fully stoned costume.
(that's dance lingo for glued crystals on a
costume which took me many hours to do!)

Girls get Platinum!!

Time to celebrate with a rootbeer!

Zoe's substitute dad for the week
(aka: Don who is Jackie's father)

Shely joined us for lunch to celebrate

Let them eat cake!  And ice cream, and tiramisu, and.........

Now it's time to watch the video of the performance and get
the teacher's critique.  Always more to learn and to do better!

Performance pictures. 
Number was called: Angel Standing By

Beautiful shot and perfectly synchronized!

The routine was gorgeous! 

Running leap.  Nice height girls!!

Prepping for Duet Competition

Thought I'd blog this AM prior to going down to compete.  Found out via a call from Jackie's mom at 8am that Zoe and Jackie will be competing their duet this morning instead of this afternoon.  So our day begins- eat breakfast, brush teeth, hair and make-up and stretching.  Both Zoe and I are getting this routine down (no pun intended).  Our morning routine is choreographed and synchronized to perfection.  Ok, pun intended this time!  They will be competing between 11am and 12noon ET and then awards will be at 12:30pm.  Will post again later today.  Wish them luck!!  And of course, the pictures.......

Hair and make-up once again!



Nice job Lisa if I do say so myself!



Bow to match the costume of course!

Perfect balance of slicked and curls. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, do not try this at home!

United Airlines found my wallet!!

Oh and I forgot to mention, my ID, ATM and credit card was found and is being Fed Ex-ed to me at the hotel!!  Yippee and hooray!!  Now I can actually pay for our hotel room and expenses on my own like a big girl and get us back on the plane to fly home on Sunday.  All is good!!

Zoe's Day of Relaxation!

Today we just chilled.  After having an exciting day yesterday and a great visit (and a late night!) with my friend Dustin from Jacksonville, both Zoe and I needed some downtime.  And by downtime I mean 5 hours at the pool!  Of which Zoe was in the pool 4 hours and 45 minutes of that time.  She didn't stop swimming the whole time.  So much for relaxing!  I on the other hand, swam a little, read a book, took a nap on the lounge chair and even drooled a little.  But don't tell anyone about the drooling part!  Now that's what I call relaxing.  Tomorrow will be back to the competition excitement.  Zoe and Jackie will be competing their duet in the finals.  And Great Uncle Mitch and Aunt Pam (who we didn't even expect to see here in Orlando at all) had such a great time watching Zoe compete her solo yesterday that they are coming back to see her compete again tomorrow.  Well that's all for today.  Here's some pictures from our chill-lax day.

I even point my toes when I jump into the pool!

Now this is the life!

Ice cream break!

Hotel has some amazing wild life right in the middle section
of it in this huge enclosed atrium area.

Proof that I am here too!

Ready to go watch the Junior Miss Dance
competition this evening!

4th of July Solo Competition

Today has exceeded all of my expectations.  My dear friend Dustin came from Jacksonville and my Uncle Mitch and Aunt Pam came to see Zoe perform.  And I must say, Zoe was amazing!!  As a matter of fact she got a special judges award that was titled "You Are Amazing".  She got a Platinum score which is only given to the top 3 to 5% or so of all entries (of which there are almost 1100 total entries in the competition).  I never expected this.  Very cool, very awesome, very amazing!  Zoe got second place overall in her category!  Wow!! And we ended the day w/ Zoe and Dustin going on the SlingShot.  Crazy ride man!!  Here are some pictures from our day.

Getting ready in the morning!

Practicing some moves- so smooth!!

Great Uncle Mitch and Aunt Pam came for the competition!

Talking to Memere before competing. 

Zoe got Platinum!!!  And a special judges award!!

Aunt Dustin and Zoe after the competition

Dustin and Zoe Sling Shot!!