Confessions of a Blogaholic

I can't even believe that the competition kids at TDA had their final NYCDA Regional in Phoenix the first weekend of May. They have qualified most of their numbers for Nationals, and in less than two months, they are on there way back to NYC. It was a very successful weekend for TDA . Three Critics Choice numbers, tons of high scores and Platinum awards. After all of the cities that were attended this year, the preparation begins. Rehearsals and cleaning of numbers. This will be Kai's fourth year competing at Nationals, and I have to say that this year, I have so many favorite numbers, that I can't pick just one. From the mini numbers to the senior numbers, they are all so good. Cover Girl The girls hanging out waiting to compete Kai and Joe Lanteri Kai and Madison Kai, Naomi, Madison and Maya

Dance competition season that is. TDA has decided to go to New York again for NYCDA Nationals. Can I say I was disappointed ...I really, really wanted to go to Texas for DMA Nationals.............NOT!!! I know, I know, this is dance talk and only my fellow dance moms will understand. I would 100 times rather go to NYC for Nationals because just in case you didn't know.... I HEART NEW YORK CITY!!!! So, in order to compete at NYCDA Nationals, you have to qualify your numbers at their Regional competitions. For every city that they have, each studio can only take ten numbers total. Unless of course the city is not full, then they open it up a little more. You never know if a city is going to open up until the week before. TDA likes to take enough dances to Nationals that everyone can participate in. So, that is why we have to travel to other states in order to qualify enough numbers for Nationals. The first city this year was Mobile, AL. Holly put together a small gro...

New York City July, 10 th 2009 The morning of Day 3 was probably the most stressful morning in NYC. It was the solo adjudication for Junior Outstanding Dancer candidates. As I mentioned, Kai had drawn number 40 out of 112. I let her sleep in a little and went to grab her some breakfast. When I got back, we did hair and make-up and she did some stretching. We had to be down there an hour prior to what the schedule said. All of the talent in the Junior category was amazing. 112 Juniors out of so many who auditioned throughout the year in 23 different cities. And only one would win the title of Junior Outstanding Dancer. The solo is a good chunk of the score, that combined with the ballet and jazz audition. Then from there, they go to the top three and they compete their solo one more time and add that score in. At the end, the one with the highest combined score wins. When it was time for Kai to take the stage, I was a typical nervous mom. This was her second year competing a solo, and...

Kai at airport, waiting to board July 8, 2009 Ok , so when we travel, we don't fly First Class, it's coach for us, all the way. Not only do we fly coach, but I usually buy our tickets through Expedia , Orbitz , or in this case, Travelocity . With that being said, your flight times are pretty limited. I hate layovers, so in order to have a direct flight, we had to leave Phoenix at 6:40 a.m. Ouch... Buddy dropped Kai and I off at Sky Harbor, and we were on our way. First thing that went wrong, was that Terminal 4 did not have a Starbucks....what? Are you kidding? Not good, especially at six in the morning. So Coffee Bean it was. Not my favorite by a long shot. But it was caffeine nonetheless . Then, our flight was delayed due to crew rest. Oh great...glad we didn't have a connecting flight. We finally boarded, and I being the good mother that I am (cough, cough) let Kai have the window seat. I, sat in the middle and my passenger to the left, was a sweet older man. Except, he...

in two weeks. A few months ago, Mike made a challenge down at TDA . He pit Company against Jr. Company/Company Apprentice. The challenge was to see which of the two could attend the most ballet classes for the rest of the year. The winners would receive a pool party. Well guess what? They both won. The party was hosted at Val Vista Lakes and the kids had a blast. They have been working so hard. Everyday, they have been rehearsing for hours. It was good for them to have fun and relax. Here are lots of pictures from the party. Bridget hand stand into the water Casey flipping into pool Tatum cheer stand with Kai and Randee Kai being held up by Tatum and Randee Bonfire and Smores The whole gang silly pose The whole gang some of the kids eating by the lake Ally and Alyssa Kenna, Amber, Jillian, Tatum, Mary, Kailee, Kendall, Dani and Kassie Jenna and Carly Vicki and Meagan Meagan, Kenna and Tatum Maya and Amber Aubrey, Jenalee , Sarah, Jessica and Kendall Bridget and Casey H...