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Huff 'n Puff

The sun was shining brightly, the wind was blowing in slight breezes and it was a bit nippy, but the spirits were high, the kids were exuberant and the parents were excited - the perfect makings for the Christmas parades in both Jacksonville and Sherwood. And best of all, it was fun for the instructors and students alike. Huff 'n Puff had a wonderful showing in both parades, and additionally, it was great to receive the awards.

Huff 'n Puff had two entries in the performance category in both parades. The five-to-eight-year-old dancers performed to a lively version of "Let it Snow" and the nine-and-above dancers performed to "All I Want for Christmas," a dance version that combined the beauty of lyrical and the excitement of hiphop. In Jacksonville, the two groups performed for the judges when it was even more chilly than at parade time, but they did a fabulous job!!!! The younger group won the Second-Place Award and the older group won the First-Place Award. Each year, we think we danced better than ever before and looked better than before, while knowing that the entire "flotilla" each year looks great and everyone has a great time. No one will deny though, that it's always great fun to also win, as the dancers did in the Sherwood Parade - both groups won First-Place Performance Award, and I think that nearly all the dancers who performed in Jacksonville also danced in Sherwood. Our sincere thanks to all the dancers and to the parents who made that extra effort for both days.

We appreciate so much all the work that the instructors have put into the performances. Our thanks also for all the gymnastics students and parents who also so wonderfully supported us. You all looked really great in the parades, too. I know that Mr. Bobby appreciated that all his gymnasts came and tumbled in the parades - we know it is not easy tumbling under the parade circumstances and we hope that you all had fun, too. And I was amazed at the preschooler's turnout - they looked so cute in their floats and our appreciation to their instructors, (and parents) too. And thanks again to our drivers.

I guess we just want all of you to know how much we appreciate all of our staff members, and our parents and students, for your support for Laurel and for Huff 'n Puff. As I've said before, without you all, we would be nothing.

Pictures of both parades follow. Hope you will enjoy them. Ms. Shelly took my place at the Saturday parade, as I was at Sheridan with the competing gymnasts (see Dorsey's meet results on home page) who were also working hard to make Jacksonville Gymnastics look good (and they succeeded!) (I have been doing these parades for some 28 years and this was only the second parade that I have missed.)

Jacksonville Parade Pictures - preparations - getting ready - time to go - blast off! And same for Sherwood.