Home Alone

Kris, Adrian, and Katie got back yesterday afternoon a little after 5:00 from their week at the Hall of Fame National Dance Competition, which was held at the Pheasant Run Resort, just outside of Chicago.  It's nice to have them home again!

Katie and Adrian in front of the media screen.

Katie and Adrian in front of the stage-right graphic.

I am glad I decided to stay here.  Kris and I had talked a week before they left, and we both agreed I was strong enough to stay here by myself if that's what I preferred.  And I did.  Kris had made several meals and froze them for my dinner each day, and I made my own breakfasts and mocha's. 

I enjoyed the peace and quiet, but I admit I missed having the girls here.  My guard dogs were great company, though, and kept me safe. 

Kris said the studio did really well at Nationals...collecting a good number of high awards and placing 4 dances in the final day's "World Series Showdown."  But Kris came back with a stiff back from sitting on banquet chairs for the better part of five days and said it was good I didn't try to go...that I would have been uncomfortable sitting there, even for a short time, plus going back and forth to the competition site and the hotel several times each day.

Katie got a High Gold award for her Lyrical solo, and one of her group dances (Jazz) made it to the showdown on Friday night. Adrian didn't do a solo, but her group dances did very well, too, getting recognized as the best Tap group of the senior (15-17 y.o.) dancers. 

Kris bought a CD with photos of Katie's solo, so I'll put a few on here.  She sure is a natural performer.  Kris said she completed (and nailed!) one move that nobody else at the competition even attempted.  It is a needle (see photo below), followed by a somersault with no hands.  Maybe a dozen girls did the somersault with their hands on the floor to support them as they fall into the somersault, but Katie was the ONLY one there to do it without hand support!  Kris said she got wild applause from the audience.  The best part was that she had always practiced the move WITH hands, but it had been her goal to do it without.  And when she came out to the auditorium after performing, Kris asked her when she decided to try it, and she said "Right then!  I just decided to go for it."  And she did it perfectly!

Katie's final move...a needle, followed by a somersault with no hand support.

As much as I enjoyed my week here last week, I missed Kris making breakfast for me.  She asked me yesterday what I wanted today for breakfast, and I said sausage gravy and biscuits.  Oh boy...it was mmmmmm mmmmmm good!