For the LOVE of Competition

On December 1, 2010 Chloe transferred to a new Irish dance school and began her six-month suspension from competition.  Our family enjoyed the financial break of competitions, but during the fifth month,  it was evident Chloe, her dad and I were suffering from extreme Feis withdrawal.  

Every month we took photos of her "celebrating", but I can't seem to find them all.  Oh well, at least I have this one...  

On December 8, 2010, Chloe went into Primary Children's Medical Center to have a special surgery, called a partial epiphysiodesis (PE) on her feet.  She suffered from terrible Juvenile Bunions for several years before we decided to get treatment.  I knew sore feet was normal with competitive Irish Dancing, but the red, swollen, bent big toes were not.  Well, at least they aren't healthy normal, though many vigorous dancers/athletes who spend hours upon hours each week do suffer from many feet issues, including bunions.  Basically her Orthopedic doctor drilled into each foot and drilled out the growth plate of the second metatarsal.  Over the past six months I have seen a pretty significant improvement in her left foot, but the right still seems pretty "bunion-y" to me.  As she continues to grow over the next year we will hopefully see them improve even more.

Chloe has spent the last 6 months practicing, making friends, nursing injuries, watching her calf muscles grow rather large,  learning new technique, having sleepovers, memorizing new steps, enjoying her place on the Choreography team, supporting her fellow teammates during their competitions, and SWEATING.  

This girl practices so much she makes me tired.  Sure wish I could harness some of her energy...or at the very least, have her burn some of my calories.