Shake your tail feather

My little girl has spent the last five months practising every Saturday afternoon for a dance show.

She's been in two or three before and always had the uncertain look of a little girl lost, looking at others to see whose lead she should follow for the next step or spin.

But on Saturday night seven-year-old Jess gave an assured performance - confident with a smile and a flourish as she kicked and waved her way through the hits of the Blues Brothers in front of 200 at a proper theatre.

I was rapt and couldn't take my eyes off her for the fluent, near professional 10 minute routine - a Cheshire cat grin carved into my face and tears of joy surrepticiously wiped from my eyes.

Is there a limit to how proud you can be about your kids?