Tender Tennessee Christmas for Tiny Dancer

Holly had an incredible year in dance. Just 2 weeks ago she and I traveled to Tennessee where she competed for an Outstanding Dancer scholarship. After two days of intense dancing and auditions, not only was she awarded the scholarship, but she received the only ballet scholarship in her age group (out of 70 plus girls). We were thrilled! Both our jaws dropped to the floor when her name was announced for the ballet award, as she does not like ballet at all and has not been as strong in it. She will now go to New York in July where she will compete in the national competition. It was such a great moment for us. Holly has worked so hard and come so far. Above she is posing with Joe Lanteri the director of the New York City Dance Alliance.



Holly, Rozy and Cassie also competed their trio "Spring Cleaning" and received a "platinum" award. Again, I was in shock as I was just hoping their piece would earn at least a high gold.

Holly, Rozy and Cassie

On the flight home we changed planes in Las Vegas. As we were waiting on the tarmac for our gate, this sweet flight attendant pictured below with the girls announced over the loudspeaker, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have two very special guests on board with us today: Holly and Rozy who have just earned Outstanding Dancer scholarships and will go on to compete in New York in the summer. I just know we will see their names in big lights some day!" The passengers on the packed plane all started to clap for them. It was so darling! She had talked to the girls throughout the flight, but we had no idea she was going to make such an announcement. As we waited for the connecting flight to Salt Lake, several passengers came up to the girls and congratulated them.
We took Rozy with us on our trip so she could compete and qualify their trio. Rozy's mom bought and packed these adorable matching outfits for the girls. People kept asking if the girls were twins. We loved having Rozy along! She and Holly absolutely adore each other.

It snowed about half an inch in Nashville and the whole city shut down. Seriously, the schools and many businesses were closed. Evidently, it hadn't snowed in Nashville since 2001. The dancers from Tennessee were screaming because some had never seen snow.
This is the view of the snow outside our window. The woman who drove our shuttle was petrified as she had never driven in snow. I offered to take the wheel and I think for a second she considered it. Snow and all we had a fabulous time in Tennessee!