Look who’s decided to come out of early retirement.
There were some who believed she was all washed up after I had to drag her to the last two months of classes the year she was three years old because we’d already shelled out money for her to participate in the recital.
We only survived that time by the grace of God and lots of bribery in the form of after class dinners at McDonalds.
But she’s assured me she’s older and wiser. She’s in the best shape of her life and is ready to go back into the dance arena.
She is the Brett Favre of Beginner Tap and Ballet.
So I signed her up for fall classes this year, but I am also older and wiser. When they asked if I’d like to go ahead and pay the recital fee, I politely declined.
I’ll pay that bad boy the day it is officially due and not a moment sooner.
Either this will be our year of dance excellence or I’ll be auctioning off several pink leotards, a pair of slightly used tap shoes, ballet slippers and a handy carrying case that says, “DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!”
There is still a part of me that thinks by October she may just want to “QUIT! QUIT! QUIT!”
Beth (A Mom's Life) says:
I hestitate to sign my 4 year old up for the same reason. I wish I could find a dance class that was pay-per-class and one that did not have a recital at the end.
I just want a chance for her to get some excercise and have some fun. I don’t like the idea of shelling out lots of cash to see a recital. I’m a Scrooge that way.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Melinda says:
If she does “QUIT, QUIT, QUIT”, she’ll be one of the cutest quitters I’ve seen in a while!
August 20th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Carolina Mama says:
We’re talking a lot about the Olympians “don’t quit” around here.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Amiee says:
My one daughter was the same way. I told her that once I had paid money for the recital costume, it was too late to quit! I had to practically drag her every week. That was several years ago. She now wants to do dance again. Ugh. Let’s hope it’s not like that this time around!
August 20th, 2008 at 6:10 am
jennP says:
i totally can relate, but in our case it was swimming. Your daughter makes me think of mine in many of your posts!
She has wanted to try many activities , however I have the discussion with her about commitments, and going whether you like it or not, because you said you would. How much work it is, you have to try hard and do your bestm, etc. I bring back the swimming lesson *exhaustion*. So every time she requests an activity, i remind her of the conditions, and she usually says “never mind”. We are lucky that at her school, since they stay all day, they offer dance classes once a week. Nothing professional. It’s cheap and it’s at school with her friends. So she enjoys that. But out of school activities? No way, not worth it. (she is 6 now and going to grade 1)
adorable picture of Caroline!
August 20th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Theresa says:
She looks adorable and like she’s into it this year.
(I still have the bag that my first ballet slippers came in.)
August 20th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Mary says:
Hopefully this time she’ll love it. Dancing is so much fun. I wish I’d never stopped.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Smellyann says:
Aw, but she’s so adorable in her leotard!
Perhaps she would like gymnastics better?
August 20th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Shelly McCabe says:
She looks so sweet, but I understand the battle might not be worth keeping her in. Hopefully this will be the year she chooses to want to do it because she likes it. If not, I agree with you it isn’t worth pushing her. Since she is older and I’m sure has little friends in her class, maybe that will make a difference.
Best of luck. BTW, if you don’t know how to knit it might be a good thing to try to pick up to pass the time while you wait for her during dance class. A lady I used to work with 2 years ago taught me and I’m so glad I can do simple things. It makes passing the time for doctor’s appointments so much easier. That is of course the ones where I don’t have my 2 year old with me. LOL
August 20th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Shelly W says:
We tried the ballet thing for a semester or so, but the teacher was mean and my daughter’s soon realized that they were going to be too tall for ballet. The oldest is now 6 feet tall, and I laugh to think about her doing ballet with her size 12 feet!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:40 am
lavonda says:
I love people who are willing to touch the burner again. You risk takers, you.
If she does love (strong word — I mean Like) it this year, and if she also likes dolls, these are really cute:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-TAP-DANCE-SHOES-FITS-AMERICAN-GIRL-DOLL_W0QQitemZ360080677542QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360080677542&_trkparms=72%3A1016%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
and this too:
http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/html/ProductPage.jsf/itemId/141209/itemType/TOY/webTemplateId/3/uniqueId/453/saleGroupId/573
I got these for my Emily and she LOVES having her doll wear them to class with her.
so there. that’s my version of Fashion Friday, two days early.
have a great week!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:41 am
PartyofFive says:
So cute! My girls started ballet again yesterday. They always get a little tired of it near the end, but are usually excited to go back after a few months break. We are only doing fall semester of dance this year. Good luck to you and Caroline!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Addie says:
She looks great! And I bet she loves it. Three year olds are notorious for not knowing who they really are. Five is really the age you reach your peak of self-awareness.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Dana says:
Oh the joys of the 5 year old ballet class…I remember it well. My daughter asked me the other day if she could do a dance class. I just glared at her.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Julie H. says:
Second chances are great! Besides, if you didn’t let her take lessons you would have to live with the guilt that someday Caroline will end up in therapy blaming her mother’s refusal to let her take ballet lessons as the reason she did not make the cut for the Nutcracker Ballet in NYC as an adult! Take care,
Julie
August 20th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Becky Jo says:
Worth it all to see her in that outfit. SUCH a cutie!!!!
August 20th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Ann says:
I learned my lesson a couple of years ago with the same thing and oh, it was so frustrating for both of us. But I found a great solution, no dancing during the school year as it’s a lot for kindergartners and then we do a fun week long dance camp in the summer. I’ve explained that prima ballerinas dance all year long, but Sister isn’t convinced. My bank account is thrilled!
August 20th, 2008 at 8:19 am
rrmama says:
I would love to say it’s a good thing I have boys but they do the same thing with sports. Both of them know they are not allowed to quit in the middle of the season. They made the commitment to their teams and players. At least yours in an in door class. Baseball is so HOT!
August 20th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Robyn says:
Oh, totally Been There Done That. When my 7 year old was 3, I enrolled her in “the” ballet class. You know, the one EVERYONE says you HAVE to be a part of or your childhood is ruined, ruined, ruined. So I caved. Her teacher was DETERMINED to run a classical ballet class. With quiet music, slow dancing, barre work, etc. She would only work with 3 kids at a time while the others were told to sit silently on a carpet square.
Yeah, ok.
So I dressed my 3 year old up in dance clothes (which automatically turned on her “boogie switch” and rendered her totally uncapable of being still) and forced her into a class where she was allowed to speak and move only when the teacher was working directly with her, which was about 10 minutes out of the hour long class.
Yeah, we made it through 3 classes.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Jill (CDJ) says:
I love little dance outfits. Ahhhhh… the memories!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Sufficient Grace says:
Tell Caroline to hang in there! It is so worth it once you get to put on your first pair of pointe shoes! However, it is the after effect of the pointe shoes - even 11 years later - that will leave one unable to walk for the first hour of the morning. Even then, though, the memory of each magical turn on one toe makes it all bearable!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Mandi says:
She is absolutely precious in that dance outfit!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Anne N. says:
I’ve been through this before with my daughter!! Hate to say it, but it just gets worse (the activities just increase in price, as they get older).
You should add music to your posts, like say, the theme from “Rocky”.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Jen@ODBT says:
My daughter made it to her recital but decided that was it. I joke that she pulled a Costanza & left on a high note. I secretly wish she would go back to dancing (she needs a little more grace in her life, she’s so clumsy).
August 20th, 2008 at 10:05 am
chilihead says:
chilihead, jr. quit after four months (before the big recital–yay!) because, and I quote, “There is too much practice and not enough Show Time!”
August 20th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Heather says:
I cannot wait for my baby girl to take dance! I hope she looks as cute as Caroline in that pink leotard!
August 20th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Mel says:
Be glad she wants to do ballet and not Irish dance. Some solo dresses can run you $3000. We don’t have recitals, just stepabouts (dancing in public, like festivals) and competitions.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates says:
Good for you for trying again. She looks adorable! Since I don’t have a daughter, I have to live vicariously through the dance experience of others!
August 20th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Amy says:
Our daughter, 8, wanted us to “look into” cheer this fall. When we “looked into” the packet and realized the cost of the uniforms, hair bows, MAKEUP and competition fees, we declined and asked her if she would like to “look into” tumbling instead. I think we sold her on the idea! Praise the Lord!
I hope Caroline hangs in there to show off her mad skills at the recital!
August 20th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Susan says:
what a sweet picture! Caroline looks like she’s getting so tall.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Barb @ A Chelsea Morning says:
“…best shape of her life.” That cracks me up.
She so much more mature this time around, I’ll bet she’ll stick-stick-stick it out through the recital. She’s such a cutie.
The previous post made me laugh out loud too. That child has got style. And a very large collection of crazy summer eyewear too.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Robin (PENSIEVE) says:
Which begs the question, “When was she OUT of shape???”. Her “too, too funny” is about equal to her “tu-tu cute” self :).
Yes, m’dear…you DO sound WISER (not about to say OLDER!).
August 20th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Robin (PENSIEVE) says:
Oh, and if I’m not mistaken, that’s a combination tap/ballet move she’s busting in the picture, lol. The hands and outfit say “ballet”, but the feet? I don’t think there’s anything French about ‘em!
August 20th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Kathi says:
“The Brett Farve of beginner tap and ballet!” Ha! That is a great line. I hope she sticks with it and you get to see her in the recital this Spring.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
GinaRose says:
This is so cute! I danced for 15 years, the last 10 with a company, and I know that when I was 5 I quit at least twice. I think it was the tap….I HATED tap. She’ll either love it or hate it, hopefully it’s love
August 20th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
cyn says:
Oh that sounds so familiar. I have a box of tights and all sitting in a closet….:)
August 20th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Indiana Keetha says:
Oh, but even if she quits - - - she is so GORGEOUS in all that pink stuff, won’t it be worth it???????
August 20th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Kristi in Texas says:
Where did you get Caroline’s dance outfit? I like the style of it.
Kristi in Texas
August 20th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Mama Belle says:
I feel ya’. If it’s not … “Mommy, I don’t want to go to dancing anymore. I hate dancing. It’s so boring,” it’s “When can we start dancing again? PLEASE, let us dance again. PLEASE!!! PLEASE!! PLEASE!!!” Oh, the drama of little girls. Your little ballerina is a cutie.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Jessica says:
Even if she doesn’t stick with it, she sure is cute
August 20th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Rose says:
what a lot of comments you have! what more could i possibly have to say… i just stopped by & wanted to say hello!
you’re funny and i enjoyed reading.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Kelly @ Love Well says:
I say you tell her that you suspect she’ll quit by October.
She’ll stick with it, just to spite you.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:39 pm