Day 4: Big Day of Competition

Today was a very exciting day.  Jordan's group got Gold with Everyone Wants to be a Cat.  And they also got a special judges award called "Simply Irresistible".  And Zoe's group numbers Alice, Got No Strings and Skaters Waltz also all got Gold awards.  And Alice got a special judges award called "Great Performance".  But the big excitement of the day was Zoe's solo. She competed in Division 2 Lyrical Solo.  And the competition was amazing.  The talent was incredible and the girls in the division were doing all kinds of acrobatic tricks. I was a nervous wreck and just hoped Zoe would be make it through and be happy with her performance afterwards.  We had 12 family and friends there- Granddad, Grandma B, Memere, Pepper, Aunt Donna, cousins Noah and Andrew, Dwayne and Mary, Pat and Helen and my great friend Elise.  Zoe ended up getting one of only 3 Platinum solo awards and she got 2nd place overall.  And she also got a special judges award titled "Look Out World, Here Comes Zoe!".  Zoe was thrilled and we were all so proud of her.  She has worked so hard this past year.  It was an awesome day!  Now, some pictures.

Zoe stretching for Alice

Girls getting a group shot with the photographer after their Alice performance.

Junior team before competing "Got No Strings".

Yeah- Aunty E is here!!

Memere, Aunty E and Granddad

Dwayne and Mary sitting w/ Pepper and Grandma B came to see the girls perform.

Zoe rehearsing her solo in the dressing room.

Zoe, Kira and Callan before their lyrical solo competition.

Close up of the girls.

Day 2.5 plus 3: Opening Ceremony & Competing

                               

Zoe ready for Opening Number performance.

Last night's Opening Ceremony and Party was awesome!  Zoe performed in the opening number of the show w/ girls from all over the U.S.  It was a fast paced upbeat number to Footloose and it got a standing ovation!  Pretty amazing for them just learning it the evening before.  Zoe had a blast doing it!  Then the girls danced the night away to a DJ at the party w/ all their friends.  Today Zoe did a ballet and then a jazz dance workshop in the morning an then Jordan and Zoe both competed one group number each this afternoon.  Zoe and Jordan's Memere and Pepper and cousins Andrew and Noah, along with Granddad and Grandma B were all there to see them perform.  This evening Jasmine (from Zoe's group) competed for Petite Miss Dance of America.  She did amazing!!  Competition still not over yet so not sure how she did yet.  Had to bring Jordan and Zoe back to the room before it was over so they could go to bed.  Jordan could not keep her eyes open any longer.  We need to be up at 7:30am tomorrow for a big day of competing.  Zoe competes 3 group numbers as well as her solo and Jordan will be competing her second and final group number for the week.  Gonna be a busy day for sure!  And of course, the pictures.....
          

Jordan ready to boogie at Opening Party.

Opps, not quite ready yet! 

Gabby and Jasmine- our Teen and Petite Miss Dance of California contestants!

Girls having fun at the party!

Grandma B's good friend Joan was in So Cal. & came to see Zoe in the opening number!

Jordan's group stretching w/ Miss Grace before the competition this afternoon.

All the family was there to support the girls!!

Now time for awards.  Both numbers got a Gold award!!

Zoe and Jordan going to see Jasmine compete this evening for Petite Miss Dance of America

And here she is proudly representing Chapter 13!!

And here she is again.  This girls can jump!!

Picture from yesterday.  Ending pose from Cat routine w/ my little Jordan pie in the middle!!

Day 2: Preliminary Competition

Day 2 at DMA was an eventful one!  I was up at 6am and woke the girls at 6:30am.  Breakfast, hair and make-up and down to the competition area by 7:30am.  Jordan performed Everybody Wants to be a Cat and Zoe did Skaters Waltz and Violet Hour.  They both did great and had lots of family to cheer them on- Granddad, Grandma B, Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike as well as Pat and Helen were all there.  After competing in the morning we went for a hour to play in the pool before going to dance workshops this afternoon.  Zoe had a fabulous contemporary class and then a jazz class and Jordan did a jazz class.  Now we are back in the room for a movie and some downtime before the Opening Ceremonies and Party tonight where Zoe will be performing in the opening number.  And now, the pictures.

We have to get up now?!!

Man is it early!

But not too early to expertly apply my make-up!

Jordan's ready to dance!

Everybody wants to be a Cat!

Getting ready for Skaters Waltz

The cat pose!

The ballerina.

Jordan Pie

Zo Zo

Petite Co. doing a group pose

And another

Skaters Waltz

And another

Violet Hour

Zoe doing a Panche

Pool Time!

Now dance workshops

Jordan is toast!  Fell asleep waiting for Zoe to be done with her jazz workshop.

Day One: Traveling to Anaheim & Getting Settled In

Here we are at the Anaheim Marriott and Convention Center.  Big day of traveling (with our 6 suitcases!) and getting settled into the room.  Flight went well and Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike picked us up at the airport.  Got to the room by 3pm, unpacked all the costumes and hung them in the closet.  They all made the trip unharmed and looking pretty good!  Yeah!  Connected with Granddad and Grandma B for an early dinner and then Zoe was offf to rehearsal at 6pm for the opening number tomorrow night.  Had a few glitches at rehearsal (like NO music when they rehearsed on stage!) but Zoe seems to have gotten the number down pretty well.  Girls are in bed asleep for tomorrow's busy day.  Neeed to be up at 6am for breakfast, hair and make-up and then need to be downstairs by 7:30am.  Jordan competes in prelims at 8:30am followed by Zoe's 2 numbers at 9:45a and 10:30a.  Whew!  And now, some pictures from the day...........

Jordan up bright and early and ready to travel!

Zoe's ready to hit the road!

And so is Jordan!

At the airport w/ LOTS of luggage.

Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike at Long Beach airport.

Granddad and Grandma B ready to see some dancing!

Keith asked the waitress to pick him out a beer.  Need I say more.

Opening number rehearsal for Zoe from 6p to 9p.

Dominque and Darraugh are in the opening number for the 13 and over group. 

Meeting the choreographers.

Jordan enjoying a beverage on the deck while Zoe is at rehearsal. 

'Twas the Night Before Nationals

Getting ready to go to bed. All packed and excited for the big week ahead. Granddad and Gramma B are in Anaheim already. The girls are fast asleep. It took SIX suitcases in order to pack all our stuff. Four suitcases just for costumes and dance gear! Flight is at 12:30p tomorrow. And so the adventure begins...........