Marie Selby Botanical Garden- Sarasota, FL

On our drive north to Tampa, we stopped at the Marie Selby Botanical Garden. 
It was a beautiful area, had a great children's garden section, and many orchids throughout!

Abigail's auditions

January is audition month for many of the ballet Summer Intensive programs.

Abigail auditioned for the School of American Ballet's Young Dancer program
(she auditioned at the MCB studio)

The following weekend, Abigail auditioned (in Tampa on the USF campus)
for the Young Dancer program at American Ballet Theatre

And the 3rd Saturday, was Abigail's audition for Miami City Ballet's Young Dancer
Summer Intensive at MCB

Abigail did her very best at each of the auditions!  

Over the next several weeks, we waited as results slowly came in:

First, Abigail was put on the waiting list of SAB!

Then, Abigail was accepted to ABT!

Then, Abigail was accepted to MCB!

And finally, Abigail was invited to the SAB Young Dancer Summer Intensive,
a one week program in New York City!

We are very proud of her and this wonderful opportunity!

Hadassah diving

Hadassah is really enjoying diving! 
She goes to practice twice a week (Tues. and Thurs. evenings),
and has already learned several dives/jumps!

working on a new dive
with Coach Paul

while Hadassah is at dive team, Corban is practicing with swim team

Daddy is 38!

Point Shoes

In December, Ms. Mariea told Abigail that she was ready for her first pair of pointe shoes!  Abigail was so excited and the special moment was shared with her friend Chava. 
The moms arranged for the girls to go together for their fitting- which was a great experience, with explanation of how pointe shoes are made, individually fitting each of the girls, having them try out their shoes, and even a certificate!

Ms. Mariea then needed to approve the shoes and gave us a lesson in sewing elastic and ribbons.

The next week, Abigail had her first class in her pointe shoes!