Look at How Far I have Come!!

*
Last evening was the Purim "service" at Temple. Now I put service in quotes because the annual Purim celebration is just about anything but a service. To give you a rough idea of why I say that, let me just say that the Rabbi was dressed as Elvis, and the ceremony consisted of many Elvis tunes that had little different wording to them

To those of you who are not Jewish, I will explain. This is a celebration of that comes from the Biblical book of "Esther" To make a long story short...(not at all the tradition) Esther became Queen of Persia, but had never revealed to King Ahashverus that she was Jewish. An edict was issued to kill all the Jews by a man named Hamen. Esther revealed she was Jewish and the Jews were allowed to defend themselves which they did and Hamen was hung and his ten sons were killed during battle.

One might like to say that the Jews and the Persians lived happily ever after, but that is certainly not the case. Let's just say they lived happily together for many years after that.

In any event, the celebration includes wearing of masks and costumes and the service is always a lot of fun. Noise makers are sounded by everyone in the congregation anytime the name "Hamen" is read during the service.

So, to get back to the point of the this blog entry......Three years ago we started Shy at dance classes. She watched Olivia on television and wanted to take ballet classes. We started her in a dance program that included both ballet and tap. Naturally, they had a recital at the end of the year where all the kids get up on the stage and perform for the audience.....well, not quite all of the kids. In Shyanne's class there were two kids that just stood there the whole time and looked out into the auditorium. Yes, one of them was Shyanne.

HOWEVER, Shyanne did take a bow at the end of the dance she did not perform.

The following year, she was a little more active, but not quite totally performing the dance and still kind of just looking out at the audience.

Last night, as the ceremony was taking place, every time there was an Elvis song played, there were a lot of older kids dancing across the bima (stage). It didn't take long for Shy to find her way up there and start dancing as well. Every time she went across the stage performing her little dance, she had a HUGE smile on her face.

The smile seemed to say "Look at how far I have come!!!"

She was so happy and so delighted to be up there and dancing. It was a real joy to see.

She has come such a long way in a few short years. I can't wait to see this year's dance class recital. She has added Jazz Dance to her classes as well this year. It should be a great time.

*

I can't see you!

* OK, so we had our dance recital this past weekend. Now since we can't show (S)s face, you might think that this particular picture was planned. Unfortunately, it was not. She stood this way through the entire first number.

When it came time for the second number she started this way, but by the end she was actually doing some of the dance moves with the rest of the kids.

At the end of the recital she got a medal from the dance school, and of course flowers from DW and I. She thought that was really special and now she wants to continue with dancing. I am hoping this will be just what she needs to help boost her self-confidence. That is one area she is lacking in. We try to encourage her as much as possible and when DW took her to the therapist today, she gave her a few things we could try.

The therapist also said it was good that she was tlaking about her bio-parents and things that happened when she was with them. She told us to encourage her to talk about them but only when she brings them up. So we will do that as well.

Obviously, there is still no word from the court. Did anyone really expect that? I was hoping, but last week's stars obviously weren't strong enough. Hopefully this weeks stars will work better.

*

Big Day Saturday

*
Saturday is going to be a big day for (S). She will be celebrating her 4th brithday with family and friends.

I just looked at that and wondered whether or not I had to specify that it is not her bio family, but rather us. DW, (S),me, (A), (K) and the rest of the gang. Well, I guess I just did that......anyway

That is not all that is happening on Saturday. DW went out today anf bought leotards, and tights. Tomorrow we get the ballet slippers and the tap shoes. Her first dance class is Saturday morning. She is so looking forward to it. I cna't wait to see her in class. She has never really been in that kind of an environment until just last month and this will be a little different.

Anyway, we are all excited about Saturday as is (S). I can't wait to tgell you all about it!

*