I have to write this down, lest I forget it. Top ten dance moments of this season (according to me):

10) One of Lauren's teammates broke her shoulder and couldn't dance, RIGHT before a competition.  They had to change the dance all around at the last minute.  Lauren stepped up and told her teacher that she knew her part and she filled in for her without even being taught the steps.  I almost cried! Lauren has had her ups and downs with her attitude/effort/enjoyment of dancing and she has finally settled on love/good attitude/high effort and I couldn't be more pleased.  Seeing her step in when her team needed her, impressed me, and probably impressed Mattie even more (at least I hope so).

9) This year, my niece Isabella had her first competition season with HIP.  We were at three competitions with them and I got to watch her dance, when I thought my heart was full watching my kids dance, it was just as full watching Bella dance.  She is such a cutie and I hope that we see her at many more competitions.  It was also great to see my friend Alex, I hadn't seen her in almost 3 years.  When I saw her, I ran to her and hugged her and cried, I didn't realize how much I missed her.  I am glad we have renewed our bond over dance.

8) At the last competition, Jamie and his BBOYs and some of us BBOY moms were waiting in the gym.  I challenged Jamie  to have a headstand competition with another BBOY named Chopper.  They were on their heads FOREVER...when Chopper moved his feet ever so slowly to knock Jamie over.  It was so funny to see.  I still giggle when I think about it.

7) This season for Lauren there have been buns, hats and 2 wigs.  At the last competition we had ONE song to change the girls..we didn't think it could be done.  We all met backstage and some other moms, and teacher's helped us and in a frenzy we got ALL of the girls ready to go.  They didn't even have to pause for us. I felt like a pit crew member in Nascar..ha ha.  I was so proud of all of us, and of the girls.  In a side note, I have loved "Grease" but I am ready to let that crazy wig, die, I am thinking of having a yard burning of it.  Lauren was also not a fan of the DARLING jacket, only because it was SOO hot and one competition, I was seriously worried she was going to pass out.

6) This was Jamie's first year on a competition team and I wasn't sure how he would do.  He is the youngest person on his team and there are some Jr. High boys on his team.  I am so proud of him for keeping up.  At the first competition, they were running WAY behind.  The team had some boys not show up, so there were some last minute changes.  Their teacher, Terry WORKED them that day.  No one probably knew this..but those boys worked for almost 4 hours...some of them burning holes in their pants.  When they came out on stage, I think everyone was BLOWN away.  I was so proud.  I look forward to many more years of BBOYing and hope the crew stays together for a long while, there are some darling boys on the team that have become great friends, and people that Jamie looks up to.

5)  Lauren did 4 dances this year, which has been so fun.  Her Jazz team, the Mini's...had only 10 girls on the team.  All of her other dances had at least double that.  I had a special place in my heart for the "Minis", they are all so cute, and have become good friends to Lauren. They had pretty pink costumes that really glittered on the stage.  This was her only real "girly" routine and I loved seeing her shake it on the stage.  For some reason "Danger Zone" just always made me tear up a little bit, I guess it just felt like it was "ours".  Looking back on last year's video, she has grown SO much this year with her technique.  I can't wait to see what another year will do.

4) One day Lauren came home from dance and proclaimed "I can do a back walkover" and I said "yeah right" because a year ago the girl couldn't even do a cartwheel.  She proved me wrong and did like 10 walkovers in a row for me!  HA!  This was all self-taught!  She is now begging to get into tumbling class, so we will try that out this summer and I can't wait to see what she can do with some actual training.

3) Every SINGLE TIME "Michael" was danced. Seriously, I can't get enough of it.  I don't think I will EVER forget it.  AND neither will my kids who pray for "Michael Jackson" every time we say prayers. No joke.

2) ALL of the wonderful dance moms who have become some of my really good friends.  I look forward to dance nights and all the laughs we have. It really feels like home. I never expected to get to be so close to dance moms, it has been a pleasant surprise. You crazy gals all know who you are!  Thanks for so many great nights, and good pie.

1) My kids have amazing teachers who my kids just adore.  One of Lauren's teachers, Meggan, was diagnosed and subsequently treated for breast cancer.  She had such a positive attitude and pretty much never missed class.  This year, Lauren got an even better lesson than either of us expected...how to really fight, how to survive, how to live. I thank all of the teachers for being inspirations to so many little kiddos.  We all got the news that she was cancer free, via phone, at the studio and there wasn't a dry eye in the place.  It was amazing. Happy tears are the best tears.