March 20, 2011- Fire it Up!!

     This year, my boys decided to be a part of the "K Crew," which is one of the local dance teacher's hip hop classes.  You may remember me writing about their first performance in the Tree Lighting Ceremony back in early December. Today, they had their second and final performance for the school year at the annual Kwajalein Dance Recital as part of the larger tap, ballet, lyrical, and other hip hop classes offered on island for all ages, ranging from the 3-5 year old group all the way up to the adult group. The two back to back shows were approximately an hour long each complete with 16 dance routines from the various classes offered on island, one of which came from the almost all boy K Crew. They danced to a song called, "Fire it Up," which happened to be the very words they shouted with gusto to the audience repeatedly throughout the routine.        
     As a parent, I found myself shouting along with them, proud of my son for getting up there in front of all those faces in the audience. He used to be so shy, tears would come to his eyes if he had to stand up and talk or dance or do a presentation for class in front of everyone, but he has come into his own the last year or so.  I understand how he feels because I used to be the same way, so shy that I wouldn't even say hello to the bagger at the small grocery store down the street from my house, a friendly man who had known me and my family since before I was even born and was always nothing but kind to me.  Interestingly enough, my mom said I wouldn't stop talking once I got in the car with my family, especially on long road trips, but out in public, forget it.  Unfortunately, my baby was not able to make the big show tonight because of his eye surgery in the states, but he's always been a bit more of the "class clown" and doesn't have as much trouble "showing off" in front of others, so it wasn't as big of a step out of his comfort zone as it was for his older brother.  That said, even though it's been hard to be away from Mr. Gant during these first days of his recovery, I'm so glad I was able to be here for my Sweet Pea to see him "Fire It Up!"