Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is a big holiday for Irish dancers.


They're suddenly in demand. It was a wonderful opportunity for the girls to perform. They've only been learning Irish dance since September, so they only got to participate in two of the dances. Still, it's fun to see how much they've learned, and what they'll be learning in the future.

We began St. Patrick's day with a performance at a local elementary school. (That school went all out - they had a bag piper at the entrance and everything!) By the time that was over, we were rushing to a Senior Center in Bremerton, where the dancers were part of the entertainment for a St. Patrick's Day luncheon. It turns out, we could have taken our time a bit, because they must have had us double booked. It was nearly an hour later that they got their turn to perform.

We got home around 2:30 (while the non-beginners did a performance at a Bremerton High School), and I elevated my huge ankles (they aren't used to being out all day!) The kids were happy to chill out for a bit. At 5pm, it was time to leave for the last performance at a retirement home in Silverdale. James slept throught the whole thing! Hoorah! We were home by 8pm, so we still beat Tony back to the house! :)

The funniest thing of the day, was watching Anthony work so hard to prove that he didn't want to watch Irish dancing. He was very determined to read or hide his face in his jacket, rather than have to look at pretty High School girls jigging. It was almost as funny as the Nutcracker, but he didn't blush as much!

Ok. Here are some things I like about Irish Dancing:
1. The music is very fun and catchy.
2. The costumes are extremely modest for dance clothing. A short skirt with tights isn't too bad compared to some jazz costumes I've seen.
3. It's super good exercise!
4. Funky shoes. Their hard shoes (that we haven't got to yet) look like something Mary Poppins would wear, but with fiberglass tips for extra noise.
5. Most of the dances have been being done since the 1800s.
6. None of the moves make the girls look like strippers-in-training. (That was Tony's comment at a mixed recital they did in December. We felt like super-good parents that our kids weren't involved with some of the other dance groups!)

So, I hope everyone had a lovely St. Patrick's Day, wore green, ate some corned beef and cabbage, and whatever other fun things you do to celebrate!