Taken after Charlotte's first dance class. She looks so little. One of my favorite pictures by far.
Back in the beginning of January 2012 Charlotte began a dance class. She was one of the youngest in the class, kids usually don't start taking this class until they are three, but since the teacher is my darling sister in law's mom, she allowed Charlotte to take the class. Miss Margene's dance class is amazing. I love the philosophy of their studio. It's all about teaching children about movement, coordination and body awareness. It's not some studio that has my little girl, dress inappropriately, teach her risky moves to perform in
front of an audience. They teach children HOW to dance not JUST A DANCE. Make sense?
Anyway, I love Miss Margene. She is heaven sent and made my Charlotte feel special and loved each time she walked into the classroom. I could not have asked for a better, first experience of dance. I'm just so heartbroken we've moved away and Charlotte can't continue taking dance there. Maybe in three years we will move back to Utah and baby girl number two will have the chance to take the class. I hope! I hope!
Now to be honest, Charlotte did not take to the class right away. Being so young and being such a momma's girl, I was in class with her every week doing all the moves. But once again because Miss Margene is absolutely wonderful, so in tune with children's needs and wants her class to be a positive experience, she allowed me to come to every class and participate so Charlotte had a good experience.
Charlotte was so timid and shy at first and literally would not get off my lap to begin with. But week by week she warmed up and started to really enjoy class.
Ellee on the left, Charlotte on the right
One of the best perks of the class was Charlotte's cousin Ellee was in the class too. Having Ellee there helped Charlotte feel more comfortable and cute Ellee was always so nice to Charlotte.
The dance class lasted from January to the studio's big spring performance in June. This performance is a big deal! I wasn't sure I even wanted Charlotte to be in the performance. I was still going to class with her every week, and although she was doing the dancing on her own, she still wanted me in class by her side! I thought there was no way I was going to get on stage with her, and I didn't think she would go on stage and dance without me. I felt torn to be honest. Luckily after talking to my sister in law Tracee who also teaches at the studio, she said she would go on stage with Charlotte if she needed to, so Charlotte could participate. That put me right at ease knowing Charlotte would be taken care of.
The first night of the big performance came. (It's a two night show. I told you it was a big deal!) Charlotte was all dressed and ready to go. I'm not sure who was more nervous. Charlotte or me? Probably me.
Charlotte and her cousin Ellee.
Charlotte putting the moves on her other cousin Derek. She loves him.
Mike took Charlotte back stage when it was her classes' turn to perform. They found Charlotte's aunt Tracee and waited to go on. I sat so nervously. The music started and all these darling three and four year olds came bouncing onto the stage. I waited and waiting and all of the sudden my sweet Charlotte came onto the stage, the last of the class, with even a smile on her face! She was glowing as she did her thing. She may or may not have actually performance the routine they had practiced, but she was up on the stage dancing and smiling! I was shocked and amazed. Honestly, it was a humbling moment for me as a parent. I knew Charlotte was capable of performing but I did have my doubts just because she is so shy and timid. Shame on me!! Charlotte was awesome and exceeded my expectations!
Waiting for her turn on the stage. After such a successful performance the night before, Charlotte could not wait to get on stage again.
Waiting with her aunt Tracee for her turn to go on stage. Tracee is such a gem.
On the stage doing her thing. Look at that face? So happy.
I had no idea my shy, timid girl could be such a performer!
I can't get enough of these pictures.
Now she had learned a routine, of skipping, jumping, sliding and turning that they had practiced and practiced and practiced. But all my darling daughter did was the skipping part. Once she started skipping around her circle on the ground, the skipping didn't stop. It was hilarious and endearing. I couldn't have cared one bit that she didn't do the whole routine like the other little girls. I was just so pleased she had been brave, gone on stage by herself, and was having the time of her life. It was one of the most rewarding moments as a parent thus far.
It was a good lesson for me as a parent. When she first started taking dance, and was not enjoying it, I thought about just quitting. I wasn't sure it was worth the fight and struggle. She cried each week and I did not want to force her into something she just didn't want to do. I'm finding as a parent it's such a fine line between pushing and encouraging your kids to be their best and forcing them to be something they are not! In end, after seeing her so happy on stage, and actually having her ask for another turn, made me realize it was worth taking the class. Taking dance totally pushed both Charlotte and me out of our comfort zones. There were days that were hard, emotional and frustrating but I learned that's part of the process of accomplishing something greater! I'm so pleased with how this experience turned out for Charlotte. Who knows maybe we'll have a little dancer in our family.
2 comments:
Enjoy the dancing. I tried to make Danielle into a dancer and when she was 4 she told me she just wanted to play soccer, basketball and baseball just like her brothers. Maybe I will get a granddaughter that is a dancer. She looks so cute and it brings back fun memories for me. I am happy you guys are adjusting well. We miss you.
Loved this post! Probably because I could SO relate to this just starting my girls in dance. This is so not my world as I have never danced! I am so impressed that Charlotte did a recital! She is so young to do that. That is so awesome. She looked so cute.
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