Sunday- Preliminaries and Opening Night Party

Didn't get around to blogging yesterday so will get on it and share some pictures from Sunday.  Sunday was preliminaries and the start of the group competing. That night was the opening party. 

Zoe competed 3 numbers and Jordan competed 1. All 4 numbers scored in the highest Platinum range. Great way to start the group competition!! 

JP and Zoe and team practicing for Blackbird 

Love the back of Zoe's leotard for Blackbird. 

Zoe focusing before competing. 

Team backstage. 

Few words from Miss Grace before competing. 

Jordan stretching before her number

Mom helping Jordan stretch

Jordan warming up with her team. 

I was so proud of my little sweet pea!  She looked amazing on stage. Nailed her double pirouette!  

Last night was the opening party. All the regional title holders were introduced and did a procession into the party. Here's Zoe and Jordan. 

Zoe and JP

Zoe and Charlie

Zoe and Courtney

Zoe and Summer

Zoe and her buddies

Chapter 1 title holders with Shely dressed as a witch for the Haunted House themed party. 

Jordan and Cassidy

Jordan, Ashley, Tegan and Summer

Everybody having a good time. Lots of tiaras and banners!  

Brad and my parents arrived last night. 

Here's the girls with their Memere and Pepere

Zoe ended the night sound asleep with her toe/foot elevated on ice.  Toe/foot pretty sore and swollen after competing and then wearing heels at the party. Darn it!  

Interviews and Acrobatics and Jazz Auditions

Today stsrted the day with an interview with the panel of judges. Zoe's toe is doing ok. The icing, ibuprophen and taping the toes has helped!  Thank goodness. Still some swelling and bruising but Zoe is in good spirits and feeling good for her interview. 

 

Charlie and Zoe

Zoe was pleased coming out of her interview. She achieved her objective, she made the judges laugh. 

Here's Zoe talking with Miss Shely and Miss Grace afterwards. 

Charlie and Miss Shely after Charlie's interview. 

Shely debriefing with both girls. 

Next was back to the room to get ready for afternoon auditions. 

Ok, how the heck do I do this thing?!

Did my first French twist!  

Well......a modified French twist. I called it the Warrior Bun.  It looked pretty cool if I do say so myself. Best part is Zoe liked it and it felt secure on her head. Whew!  A number of people complimented her on her hair. Woo hoo!  Mom scores extra points!!

Then back down to the convention center once again to stretch and prepare for her acrobatics audition. 

Go Number 11!!!

Feeling good after acro. Toe sore but didn't stop her on any of her tricks or balance moves. 

Next up was her Jazz audition. Man, who did that hair?!  ;)  yep, still bragging. 

She said she nailed Jazz!  Right on! 

Meanwhile back at the pool, Jordan has been enjoying herself with Charlie's sister Cassidy before competing starts tomorrow for her. 

Look out, here she comes!

Jordan and Cassidy bonding by the pool. 

Zoe stopped by to say hello before heading back to the room to get changed for the evening. 

The title contestants have to show the dress that they will wear for the awards ceremony of their division competition so the judges can approve it's the appropriate length. They take their rules very seriously!  Junior division dresses need to be tea length. 

Zoe loves her dress that she got in Chico over Easter. Thanks Aunt Nancy!

And just when you think the day should be over it's time for opening number rehearsal from 5p to 9p. At least she's still in good spirits and still smiling!  

What a day!  Team mtg in Shely and Grace's suite at 7:20p.  Jordan and I will represent. Tomorrow starts prelims for group competition and Brad and Zoe's Memere and Pepere fly in.  More exciting times ahead! 

Tap and Ballet Auditions then Opening Number Rehearsal

Auditions went well for Zoe for both tap and ballet despite the painful toe. Tap is not a strong area for Zoe but she said she just kept smiling and tried to work it.  Ballet went well. Normally a strength of hers when her toe isn't hurting her.  We taped it up tight and she made it thru her auditions. Whew!  What a trooper. She's now in an opening number rehearsal until 9pm. 

Feet comparison. Ouch! Obviously swollen and bruised. 

Taped her toes together to keep it stable for the auditions. 

Contestant #11

Foot more bruised after auditions. 

Jordan had fun this afternoon at the pool in her 4th of July bathing suit. 

Pool area is awesome. 4 water slides and a big screen to watch the World Cup. 

Good times!!

Waiting for Zoe to finish rehearsal then gonna head to bed.  Interview with the judges in the morning then acrobatics and jazz auditions in the afternoon. Keep those toe healing vibes coming our way!! 

Happy 4th of July to all!!

Solo Preview done!! Unfortunately so is Zoe's toe!

Back at room after Zoe's solo talent preview. Shortly before Zoe was going to perform she was doing a turn and her pinky toe got caught on the carpet and bent backwards. We heard a little crack. Yikes!  A few tears but the show must go on. 

Here she is waiting to go in. 

Next up. 

Going in. No one is allowed to watch. Just the judges and your teacher. 

Closing the door. Mom was nervous! ;)

All done!  Slight limp coming out. 

Relieved to be done for the morning. 

Despite the hurt toe she feels good with how she did!

Charlie done in Teen division too. She said floor was slippery.  But lots of smiles. 

Heading back to room 

Pinky toe starting to swell and get purple. 

Time for ice and ibuprophen.  Oh a dancers life!  

Now for some downtime and lunch before her tap and ballet auditions this afternoon. And of course mom is sending lots of healing vibes to her toe!  All positives vibes welcome for this afternoon!!!