I knew this day was coming since the first day we signed her up for dance.
And one I've been dreading since the very first day as well.
Tonight was the night we got...
COSTUMES! 

They cost me a fortune, but oh so cute! Frills, lace, sparkles, and happy little girls
Did you know that a 4 year old can look good in go-go boots?
Did you also know that the mommies, daddies, and grandma's in the waiting room received a 3 page single spaced rule book for pictures, rehearsal, and recital? 
Who are they kidding?  SHE'S 4!!!!!!!!!!

She has to have her hair in a bun, hair parted to the left (her left, not stage left)
She can have no bangs or wisps of hair anywhere...so invest in a hair net AND heavy duty hairspray.
No underwear whatsoever because the lights on stage show lines.
She needs to wear make-up...light for pictures...heavy for the show...but make sure it's brown for eyes, red lipstick, and eye liner but only on the top. 

SHE'S 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My daughter's costume is slightly too big so they want me to test out my sewing skills to fix it.  Who are they kidding?  I've never sewn anything in my life and now I have to fix her costume?  All of a sudden I thought she looked just fine it! 

Rules continued on...
The family gets 10 tickets, if you need more.. $5...but no way can we save seats.
No video taping on the day of the show...leave that for the professionals.
It's a custom to buy the dancer a flower, so of course they will sell those to us.
Our picture time is 10...but make sure the child is there by 9:45 in total costume and don't mess it up on the drive to the pictures.
Recital is about 3 hours long...but don't bring any food or drink...they won't allow it in the hall.

And then they invite us to see our babies dance...and they are all off beat...they are all giggling at themselves in the mirror in these adorable costumes...and the mommies, daddies, and grandma's sitting on the side could not remember why we were upset.  The happiness of our daughters trumped the 3000 rules we have to follow between now and the recital.

Preschool dance class...how annoying!  They certainly know where to get us...the wallet and the heartstrings!