Dance Recital...

Since Kaitlyn was about 2 she has been involved with dance class. It starts with Rhythm and movement. Teaching them animal walks, following instruction, etc. They have always been so adorable. As she grew she wanted to try Tap and Ballet. Ms. Betty across the street from us used to sneak into Proctor's Theater and tap on their stage. Kate would always go find Ms. Betty's shoes and they would put on a show. Since Kenny has been born he has had to go to dance class with us. As he grew he became interested in the classes. I'm not sure if it's because he just wanted to go into the classrooms because they were always off limits or maybe the big mirrors. Regardless, once he got big enough to open the doors I often would have to chase him down pulling him out of the rooms. This year was his first year of actually being able to go into a classroom and participate. I thought it might be good to have him try to follow other instruction. I also thought it might be good for him as well since his therapies have changed.

In the beginning of the season he love, love, loved dance class. The teacher was young and wanted to know all about Kenny's diagnosis in order to try to help him out. I thought that was great. He seemed to really like her and the other little girls in his class. I was thankful that Kenny's class was small. There were four students. Once choreography started my darling little boy had no interest. He did OK for the first 10-15 minutes but after that it was mischief. I put him in time out, the teacher put him in time out, he put himself in time out. Class, after class, after class.

There came one day that I held him after he started being boisterous. Trying to get behind the piano. I told him we were going to stay and watch the others. He kept telling me, "No, time out." He wanted to go to time out instead. I held him and thought, if he doesn't want to do this, why am I making him? Is this too much for him? This isn't for me, he really liked this, what happened? Now what do I do? Do I keep him in class? Then I hear a teacher say that they couldn't believe that there were six more classes until recital. And then I thought six more classes... six more, we can do six more. I mean we teach Kate to stick with it, why should he be any different? But will it just be easier for everyone if we opted out? No, we can do six more, we can do six more, and we will see how dress rehearsal goes. If it works it works if it doesn't, it doesn't.

Six weeks later, in costume on stage in the theater with props for just in case, Kenneth my little Kenneth who had spent half of his dance classes in time out, did an amazing job! We couldn't stop laughing, we couldn't believe how he followed the girls and how he knew the choreography! Boy did he have us fooled!!!

As the dance recital took place I was a little nervous. He had to stay upstairs with the others and couldn't come sit with us. As his dance approached Kevin says are you as nervous as I am? I said I think I might be... The curtain opened, Surfin in the USA started... and that little boy and those three little girls came out. They marched out like little ducklings with my Kenny last in line hands on hips. The crowd roared with laughter. He stepped on the boogie board (a last min change) and applause! He smiled, and applause! He spun, and spun and almost fell over and you cold hear the crowd gasp... he recovered you could hear giggles. He decided to stop for a minute and find us in the crowd, found us, waved, smiled, and ran back into place. Did the rest of the dance, so proud, looking for us again getting almost closed in the curtain... and once again laughter and applause. That little boy did it! He did it! He didn't need the extra props, he knew what he was doing! We laughed. Kate danced shortly after and showed us her grace. She did a beautiful job... we were so proud!

A few performances later I thought about Kenny baby. I thought about how great he did, I thought about the classes, and the time outs. I thought about the day I thought about taking him out. I started to get teary eyed. This feeling became very overwhelming in my body. The joy and pride I felt that he did it! How could I have thought to take him out? All along he knew what he was up to, I however was putting a limitation to him... what a lesson to learn. I still get overwhelmed to think about it, about the pride, about the emotions, about the wonder of doing the right thing. I cant be happier with the way it all played out. He continues to teach me that life is all about taking risks. We were told by many that he stole the show... I know he has certainly stole many of hearts.