Dancin' till Dawn

Once upon a time, Kitty danced in a recital.  She danced as a caterpillar and was the cutest caterpillar you ever did see. 

Her mother volunteered backstage for the first night's performance.  Her mother wasn't the cutest volunteer you ever did see, but she was the most indignant.  You see, Kitty's mother didn't actually want to volunteer because that constitutes work, and Kitty's mother always errs on the side of lazy.  However, Kitty's mother felt obligated to volunteer since Kitty's dance teacher is a friend.

This is why Kitty's mother shouldn't have friends. 

The recital was long.  Too long.  The children were tired and bored.  Very tired and bored.  The rooms backstage didn't have air conditioning and were sweltering.  Very sweltering.  Kitty's mother wasn't happy.  Very not happy.  The entire volunteering ordeal ended up lasting 5 and one half hours.  5 and a half hours!  Kitty's mother may have snapped near the end and raised her voice at the studio's office manager, when said office manager was all up in her business about misplacing a piece of paper.  Kitty's mother may have done that.  And she was justified.

Kitty danced beautifully and then cried all the way home.  Kitty said she never wanted to do a recital again.

Kitty's mother agreed.

But...there were a few fun moments.

Like playing with the tablet.  What happens when you give a kid a tablet?  Ten other kids swarm over.

 And the second night Kitty's mother got to be in the audience and not worry about the chaos swirling backstage.  She watched the cutest little caterpillar you ever did see dance beautifully, and then she took her caterpillar home at intermission.

It was the right decision.

Kitty may never dance in another recital again and that's okay with her mother.  If Kitty opts out of recitals, her mother won't have to worry about volunteering anymore.

And they will all live happily ever after.