Let the Games Begin!

On Saturday we spent time at the Highland Games, where Ab competed for the very first time in Highland Dance.  I am so very proud of her, because she did spectacularly well for her very first time! 

All of the tears and gnashing of teeth finally paid off with her dancing to three of the four dances in her category.  She hasn't learned the fourth yet, but hopefully soon!

She was beaming with pride and accomplishement as she was awarded a first place medal in the Scottish Lilt, her favorite dance.  There were only three girls in her age catagory, but to be honest, she did pretty well considering they were 15 and 16 years old!

Now, to the costume.  It was amazing.  Thanks to Daniel, his mom Aneta, and his sister Becky, they were able to outfit her in style.  Take a look at the vest!



 So, we got the patterns a little late and had to rush to make everything.  Unfortunately, the vest pattern was sent in the wrong size, and Daniel and Becky learned how to alter a pattern.  Two days of intense sewing and trying to get everything fitted correctly, six muslin mock-ups latter, that was the fantastic result.  I think she was one of the best dressed, but I'm biased that way!



We spent six hours in the sun, and basked in the whole experience.  I think her smile is worth it in the end:

A First and Third!  Way to Go!!!

I love the sound of bagpipes!

If you've been around my blog for a while, or just know me for that matter, you know that I have a thing for Scotland.  To be honest, I always have.  As a young girl I remember getting a couple of "international" doll for christmas one year.  Three, one Irish, one Swedish, and yes, one Scottish.  You can't imagine my favorite one.

To fulfill my love of all things Scottish, I am enjoying living vicariously through my daughter.  I'm grateful she enjoys it of her own accord, and that I may tag along for the ride as she learns the many intricate and complicated steps of various Scottish dances.  She is quite proficient at the sword dance for only dancing since July.  If you would like to see what one looks like from someone who has done it for a long time:

I like to pretend that the love of bagpipe music is in my genes.  I suppose it is.  My ancestors hail from a small town outside of Glasgow, not exactly in the 'Highlands' but it's a lot closer than Utah.  Perhaps that small portion of my make-up is why the music is appealing.  I get teary eyes when I hear 'Amazing Grace' or 'Scotland the Brave', and this past summer, I heard a gorgeous rendition of 'We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet' at one of the Scottish games we attended.  Imagine the goosebumps than run up and down my arms as the sweet notes filled the air.

Someday I'll visit Scotland.  It is at the top of my "bucket list" of things to do before I die.  I'll walk along the paths that I've yearned to traipse and hope to hear a bagpiper on the moor.  Of course it will be for the 'tourists' but I will feel like I'm home.