Tiny Dancers

 Jon and I have been telling each other for months that this was going to be the year when the kids could start a lesson or activity of their own to learn. It's important to me that they get to choose, themselves, what to pursue and practice. Not only do I want them to have all those cognitive, social, and emotional benefits from the activity, but I want them to be fully alive. To be alive, to be connected to the world, means doing something you love, and doing it with your whole heart. For what else were we made?

Though I had assumed my climbing, balancing, tumbling second born would probably be inclined to gymnastics, she's surprised me by talking for months about being a dancer. Every time she wore a skirt, "I am a dancer!" she'd crow. Since she was so determined, we investigated and found a free open house at a nearby studio. Today was Adele's first ballet/tap lesson.

She was born ready. Even in her rain boots. 

We spent a while in the supply store looking for shoes small enough for her size 5-and-a-half feet.

 At last, she was ready to enter the studio.

Her first ballet bun.

I got to watch via a closed-circuit tv station:

Um... yeah, she's the little one on the end. 

She followed directions muuuch better than I'd expected. 

 Some exercises involved staying on a dot or star on the floor (each child was assigned one). Miles and I were in gales of laughter watching her pick her star or dot up when no one was looking and move it to a location she liked better.

The smallest tap shoes there... still a bit big. 

 It was a whole day of free classes, so when the next age group, ages 4-6, was preparing to go in, I asked Miles if he wanted to give it a try.

He did! We fitted him for some size elevens and he was in business. I spent most of his lesson chasing Adele around the waiting area, but I noticed him trying very hard and often succeeding to do the ballet, jazz and tap moves he was being taught. He was the only boy, it almost goes without saying, but no one raised an eyebrow, which I took as a good sign about the studio.

 Well, he had a blast. It's really important to me, as I've said, to let the kids determine their interests and styles. If Adele has no use for princesses and dolls and prefers blocks, no problem. If Miles has his nails polished (and he does) and wants to dance, again, no problem.

Still, he says what he wants this fall is to take piano. So, I am inquiring at the music school and he should begin lessons in September. He should also begin his Chinese lessons within a couple of weeks! Another of his interests (this season) is all things China. Imagine our delight when we found out the local Chinese School would be giving language lessons at all public elementary schools, once a week, after school!

I'm going to try not to let him get worn out, don't worry.

 If we have to cut something out, we will. If we have to miss a lesson, we will.

They are, after all, still children.