Ballando con las estrellas

This week was the Multi-cultural Fair at our school. A time when we celebrate cultures from around the world, but mostly Latin America because we're in a Dual Immersion Spanish program. Most of the classes pick a dance from somewhere around the world, practice it for a couple of months and then perform it at a school assembly, then again for the community (aka parents, grandparents and anyone else willing to watch.)

As the parent of a serious dancer, my favorite part of this event is the utter lack of professionalism. Kids are waving from stage, picking up parts of their costumes that dropped, stopping and staring for no apparent reason. La Nina is horrified by the behavior of her peers, but I love it. Seriously, it's my favorite event.

The costumes are also fantastic. Most of them hand made by some willing mom with a sewing machine and the ability to forgo several hours of sleep to manufacture 12 dresses/shirts/pants/scarves...you get the picture. Thankfully, I didn't have to sew. I hate to think what my tailor would have charged. (The Magster costumes this year were borrowed from a local folk dance troupe and they were really fantastic. )

In the end, both girls had a great time and we were very proud parent. I think events like this are the part of their childhood I will miss the most when they grow up. The pure charm of kids performing is delightful and one of the treasures of parenthood.