The small, pink ballet slippers are so precious...cradling my GIRL's excited little feet. Today marks the day of her first ballet class. GIRL has been patient. She's been talking about wanting to take ballet classes since the winter. 8 months or more. A long time in a small girl's life. She is persistent, my girl. Yesterday she picked out her leotard - a deep rose color with a tiny bow on the right shoulder. She has light pink tights and a white pair, too. Then we went to a ballet shop to fit her for the ballet slippers. It took several tries before we found the right fit. She is like her mama. Small feet that are wide. Difficult to fit. But, we were victorious! The saleswoman was lovely. "Everyone's feet are different," she said gently.
When she asked GIRL to step out onto the dance floor, (a tiny space with a walled mirror and ballet bar), I felt a catch in my heart. GIRL, so newly 4 years old, seems different. I've noticed she is handling transitions better. Less likely to explode or implode. A maturity budding. My little girl. Her cheeks still rounded apples, yet her limbs are showing the hint of muscles to come.
As we went to the cash register, GIRL clutched "the list" of needed items that she had made. "CHECK! I don't need my list anymore," she said. GIRL is a list maker like me. Although she doesn't write yet, she draws squiggles for words and she knows what is on her list. She and I are drawn to list making. Perhaps it is the pleasure of being in control of something. Of checking off accomplishments. From remembering to pick up that gallon of milk to buying ballet shoes for your first ballet class.
Today I will walk her into the ballet class, holding her hand. She may turn her body inwards, leaning into me, hesitant to begin. Or...she may squeeze my hand and walk over to the teacher. Whatever happens, today is a big day in our lives. And I am so blessed to be with her when she takes that step.
When she asked GIRL to step out onto the dance floor, (a tiny space with a walled mirror and ballet bar), I felt a catch in my heart. GIRL, so newly 4 years old, seems different. I've noticed she is handling transitions better. Less likely to explode or implode. A maturity budding. My little girl. Her cheeks still rounded apples, yet her limbs are showing the hint of muscles to come.
As we went to the cash register, GIRL clutched "the list" of needed items that she had made. "CHECK! I don't need my list anymore," she said. GIRL is a list maker like me. Although she doesn't write yet, she draws squiggles for words and she knows what is on her list. She and I are drawn to list making. Perhaps it is the pleasure of being in control of something. Of checking off accomplishments. From remembering to pick up that gallon of milk to buying ballet shoes for your first ballet class.
Today I will walk her into the ballet class, holding her hand. She may turn her body inwards, leaning into me, hesitant to begin. Or...she may squeeze my hand and walk over to the teacher. Whatever happens, today is a big day in our lives. And I am so blessed to be with her when she takes that step.
| Tweet |
|
|||
I used to teach dance to small people. Her age is my favorite. Somewhere during that year their brains do this super quick shift like one week it isn't there and they come back the next week and the more complex stuff has just come together. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteAww - this made me tear up.
ReplyDeleteIt also made me want to rush home and try for a girl RIGHT NOW!
You are right. They are precious. Don't get me started on tutus.
ReplyDeleteHow fun for you both; a very special moment for sure. I remember fondly when my daughter and I went out to buy her first ballet shoes and leotard. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThis feels like a long time ago to me, when my now 8-year-old was three and started dance class. And my now 5-year-old, who started a bit before she was three. It wasn't that long ago, but it feels that way.
ReplyDeleteDance lessons since then have been a PITA (finding a good one at a good time, especially now that I am allergic to driving).
Oh, hooray, what a moment! I missed that, with a boy, but I remember my own ballet class at age 7....your post was very evocative!
ReplyDeleteI have been doing this for 7 years and I still get mesmorized by how sweet they are :)
ReplyDeleteSo Sweet! Muffin is four and she loves dance too. She takes it very seriously. I love to watch her concentrate on the positions and finish up with a twirl.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I wish time would slow down! I don't want these sweet days to end!
You and I come from the same infertile past, so trust me when I say, I AM SO HAPPY you get this moment. Truly. Savor it. Savor all of it. But you already know that. :)
ReplyDeleteI had a list-making ballerina too. You'll have so much fun.
ReplyDeleteBallet is so much fun! I look forward to it every week!
ReplyDeleteHave fun today!
I loved when my daughter first started taking dance.
ReplyDeleteOf course, she was the one with chocolate stains on her leotard...but cute nonetheless.
This is a great time!
This is just the sweetest. Savor girlie moments like this for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are blessed! Take lots of pictures and videos!!!!
ReplyDeleteSigh. I had a budding little, leotard and slipper-wearing ballerina on my hands a few years back. There was nothing I enjoyed more than sitting at the edge of the studio, watching her watch herself dancing in the mirror. A fancy outfit and a big room full of mirrors is all a four-year-old girl really needs. Then, alas, she announced she wanted to do gymnastics instead. Sigh. Enjoy. Great writing.
ReplyDeleteKitty Cat just started ballet and oh, it makes my heart almost burst.
ReplyDeletethis is all so exciting...its like a young woman coming out of that tiny little girl, whom you 'thought' you were so familiar with...
ReplyDeleteI make list too...for a different reasons...to cope with my forgetfulness...
you adorable woman: she'll be marvelous! xoxo
ReplyDeletehow sweet.
ReplyDeletei remember my daughter's first dance class...it was there too that I noticed her being "older" just more at ease with herself, outgoing even and that was SO NOT like her. I loved what dance did for her self esteem, there is no greater feeling than seeing your child beam with pride...trickles right onto your own heart!
I hope she loves her class!
I love this post! What a great moment, not just the first day of class but the preparations before it, shared with her loving mom who gets the importance of these things. You totally nailed the list making draw (for me at least). It's the feeling of accomplishment, and being in control of something. Can't wait to hear how she liked it!
ReplyDeleteHere's wish you and your girl many tulle and tutu filled days!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such a lovely glimpse into your life. Our days of ballet (called Creative Movement at our daughters' studio...) are long gone, but they, too, were sweet and lovely. I kept thinking that I would run errands during the lessons, but I always found myself glued to the two-way glass, watching my little munchkin enjoying herself, dipping down and smelling the flowers (as instructed by the teacher!).
ReplyDeleteIt was such a cute scene, and I know I sound like the chick with the rose-colored glasses, but it's hard to believe that my girls are now 14 and 17! Give those apple cheeks a gentle squeeze for me!
I love those ballerina moments...my "little" dancer just got a pair of size 3 sneaks...not so little anymore. Those first slippers are in her memory box, though! Pax.
ReplyDeleteHow was it? Send me a pic of your kids if you feel like it. I'd love to see them!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear how she likes it. Dance class helped the Queen make huge strides. And the difference in her between this year's class and last year's class is incredible. There are only 3 returning girls, and they are the class leaders. We've enrolled DeBoy this year (don't you know THAT has gone over well in this area), and she takes very good care of him. I saved her first shoes and I'll save his, but after this I'm selling them! Two pairs of ballet shoes and a pair of tap shoes cost me $61. And I suspect that is fairly cheap. But if he continues, he'll need actual tap shoes too. However, it's an hour a week that I can sit and have adult conversation and do my sewing.
ReplyDelete