First Ballet

Yesterday we went to Leeloo’s first ballet. Her dance studio was performing Firebird and a Midsummer’s Night Dream. We picked up one of her best friends, E, and wen to the matinee performance. The girls were so excited just to be in a real theater. 

Once the music started the chiquita was riveted. She was so thrilled to see the Firebird come out. I had to keep reminding her to keep her voice down! She would exclaim, “Firebird!”, “Prince!”, “Monsters!”. She also kept jockeying for the best position to see. It was so much fun to have her on my lap and feel heart heart beating fast. She truly loved it!

During intermission the girls got some time to play and talk about the show. They even made friends with the teens sitting behind us who were giggling at their questions.

By the middle of the second act, Leeloo was ready to dance. She kept whispering in my ear “I wanna go up there mommy”, “I wanna dance too!”. 

After the show we happened to win the raffle. The firebird dancer’s toe shoes and a private lesson! Hopefully they’ll let E come too! 

5/24/15

Mommy & Me: Dancing

Our first Mommy & Me adventure was swimming (which needs to be revisited soon), our second was dance. This is California, so water is abundant. The swimming lessons are a necessary survival need. Dance on the other hand was purely a mommy need. Leeloo loves to move and jump and jiggle, so I didn't have any worries about her interest, but her discipline was another issue. Luckily we began with a basic movement class and any participation (even if it was circling the class at mach speeds like a crazy child) was regarded as valid. 

The first class was promising, the chiquita seemed genuinely interested in mimicking the teacher. However, after the newness wore off, the class devolved from a dance space to a "let's run around and be silly" space. She's two. I didn't expect much more.

However, to my surprise, at the end of our lessons she knew some things. If you ask her what First Position is, her little feet mermaid out and her hands move up to hold an imaginary ball. She will then open to Second and do a little plie. She can also point and flex her toes and move across the floor on her tippies (while flitting like a butterfly). The chiquita even learned how to bow!

We are gonna take a dancing break (and return to swimming), but I can't wait until our next lessons to see what else sinks in!

Having tea in her new favorite ensemble.

On a colder day, taking baby to class.

Butterfly time.

Mostly she just puts the scarf over my head while the teacher dances with hers.

First position.

Break for some music time (on dress-up day - explaining the bee wings)

Finished with class - ready for the world!

Dance prepares you for everything.