10-year-old Maeve tap dances with her 72-year-old grandfather for her summer recital. [Jamie Casey Jones]

Hour 11 of the hostage situation. Time for release has been further delayed. Supplies were low but replenished. Hope is only carried by the prospect of good showings for the remaining solos. Morale is sustained. For now.

We just got started back up not long ago and we're still horribly behind, on a Sunday night. Was a "Dancer's break" really a good idea?

16 after her tap solo: "Horrible, Dad. I don't want to talk about it." As she blows by me coming off stage. Also 16: Highest adjudication and 4th overall with tap in a category 35 deep.

16 hours later and we're heading home. I want to go eat peanut butter in my bed with a spoon while I watch mindless TV.

Recital night. Just had to run to a gas station down the road from the venue to buy a razor because I asked 16 if she shaved her pits today. Follow me for more parenting tips.

Recital day 2: 15 tells me right before her solo that she doesn't want to do it and she's just over her song Then proceeded to dance it amazingly. Guess you're just going to have to hate all your dances now.

And with recital, the season is done. Unless you count: Team auditions, Dance Camp, an intensive, a retirement village performance, Nationals, choreo for next season, etc etc etc

Nationals. 15 up in a few numbers. One kid literally just brought a bucket of water as a prop and splashed it on herself....and the stage. Who tf is your choreographer? I just wanna talk to em....

Annnnnd we're still cleaning water. And the sparkle suit, giraffe neck studio director that talked shit to 16 a couple comps ago just put her big dome right in my line of sight. Listen lady, the safari attraction is right down the road. Go back to work.

Very few get my bond and parenting style with these 3. I call it "free range parenting". 15 kills it, comes off stage and tackle hugs me. I whisper in her ear, "Listennnnnnn bitch" and she cracks up. Also, switched the makeup to dark and it was EVERYTHING.

6:40 warm up time. 7:37 performance time. I looked at my watch for my sleep time and it laughed at me.

16 had to make a hard call a few weeks ago and could only go to 1 day of Nat'ls. She chose to go with her groups and give up her solos. Rather than chase her own win, she put them in a position to give them all wins, and it paid off. She, 15, and crew are National Champs.

17 doing a weekend long, big tap intensive. Tons of amazing dancers here from all around. So fun to see her completely in her element and soaking up all the things she can.

It's cute you had to dance down just to get a win at Nationals. Couldn't have dealt with getting beat in Superstar with the rest of us where you should have been? I bet the teammate you beat that belonged there really loves you.

I have new appreciation for the ADCC studio awards. 90% of the studios here from dancers to staff and parents are absolute dicks. NJ is a different vibe. Kudos to the kind, fun people here. We love you. Everyone else can eat a dick. #Nationals2024

Just zero’d out the fee balance on my girls’ dance account. For now. I suspect there’s probably an up-charge for that too.

Hey moms that pose as their pre-teen child on social media “dance pages”. Why? Stop that shit. You’re all grown adults, pretending to be children, talking to other grown adults pretending to be children. You’re one step from “To catch a predator.” I’m calling Chris Hansen.

Why are some so ate up by being a model/ambassador/rep for these brands, comps, and conventions? You know you’re getting played for free advertising, right? There are thousands like your kid. You’re ruining their dance experience and individuality.

I already have a ton of money wrapped up in costumes this season. You can Five Fit Fuckoff with your bullshit last minute add on.