We are almost through our first year of dance with this girl!
When we started last fall I wasn't sure if she would like going in to class by herself every week or even going up on stage for the recitals but her independence has really blossomed over the course of taking dance. She is so excited to go to dance every week and she's always beaming from ear to ear at the end of every class as she rushes out to meet me in the waiting room. She's usually exclaiming something along the lines of "Mommy! Mommy! I got to be the leader today! Oh, and I got a sticker!"
She did a winter "showcase" recital before last Christmas, but this June recital is the real deal!
She got her costume today and it couldn't fit her personality any more perfectly.
Pink, sparkly and a tiara for the head piece! Being a princess is her favorite.
I can't wait to see her perform in just a few weeks. We got a sneak peak of their recital dance and she gets to lead her class around the stage in the cutest toddler tippy toe walk ever.
Now I just need to practice my dance mom skills... I need to keep that tutu hanging upside down so it stays fluffy I gotta learn how to do a bun that will stay on top of her head! I'd totally recruit her Aunt Nin Nin to do it for me like she did for the winter showcase but her recital is 2 days after Erin's due date... So Nin Nin will probably be pre-occupied. We're totally going to have a lesson with her sometime soon! : )
Remember when I wrote that Reaghan was starting dance class this fall? Her Winter Showcase was last weekend and it was a-dorable.
This entire fall I've had so much fun taking Reaghan to dance class every Thursday evening. She gets so excited when she wakes up from her nap and I tell her its time to get ready for dance. I was worried about how she would do in the class without me there watching since she is not very outgoing but from day 1 she hasn't hesitated. I love watching her walk in to class confidently taking her bag to her little cubby and sitting on her blue dot on the floor and then emerging 45 minutes later so proud of herself and eager to tell me all that she did! It's been fun as a mom watching her enjoy something that's building her confidence and her independence.
Along with dance class we've also being doing a Tiny Tot choir at church on Sunday evenings practicing two Christmas songs to share with the congregation during the Christmas Season. My sister-in-law Ann and I have been leading the class and wouldn't you know that the day to sing fell on the same day as the girls first dance recital!?! Thankfully the girls show time was in the evening so the times didn't conflict but it made for a fun, busy day! I made sure we got some pictures that morning of the girls in their Christmas dresses. (That I snagged at the consignment shop right up the road from me. I don't always shop second hand, but when it comes to holiday outfits, its the best way to go because they're always in great condition!)
This was another area I wasn't too sure that Reaghan would do well in. She does great in class singing her songs and doing the hand motions when I'm in there leading it but I worried that when she got on stage to sing in front of the whole church she wouldn't want to go through with it. She totally surprised me and wasn't phased a bit! I can't believe how much she's matured this past year.
After church we made sure we came home and got a nap before her second "performance" of the day. She doesn't always need a nap any more, but I know being center of attention takes a lot out of my introverted toddler so recharging with a nap was definitely a priority. I didn't want any melt downs at the little recital.
Cousins waiting together backstage!
I almost grabbed our nicer camera but then decided I didn't want to lug it around... ugh, I should've brought it because the iphone just couldn't capture great pictures in the darkened room.
When they first came out I was a little worried because Reaghan (second.. well really 3rd... in line) had her head down and finger in her mouth. Her classic nervous habits that we've been working on overcoming. I thought oh no, this isn't going to go well.
But once they were all lined up and the music started playing she perked right up!
They did a little dance to "Let it Snow" and it was precious with their twirls, plies and passe's.
I thought I might die of cuteness. (I literally almost did die of cuteness when another 3-4 year old class came out dressed as reindeer and did a tap dance routine! I don't know how I made it through that one.)
You can't have a dance recital without the daddy bringing the little ballerina some flowers!
She also got a little ballerina doll and a rose from her Grammie and Pop Pop.
Her aunts and uncles came to see her dance and Mark's parents were there too of course for both of their grand-girls. They brought the girls a little ballerina ornament for the tree.
Mark and I talk a lot about what we want our kids participation in things like dance and sports to look like as they grow older. We love the opportunity for character growth and personal development that comes along with these types of activities but we want there to be a realistic balance between their activity of choice and our family life. Of course, that's looking quite a few years in to the future! We're just now getting our feet wet in this world of extra curricular activities with our 3 year old and right now we are completely enjoying this new season watching our Reaghan become a big girl!
We are entering uncharted territory this fall with Reaghan...
We've signed her up for dance class! We are entering into the world of organized activities with our kids. The world where you have to get them to a certain place every week, buy them certain items to participate in said activity and cheer them on as they grow and learn. All summer we were talking about signing her up for something this fall and we were trying to decide between soccer and dance. She loves to run and kick the ball (a girl after her mama's own heart!) but soccer meant games every Saturday... usually early games... SO we totally made a selfish decision and chose dance instead! haha We figure we have YEARS ahead of us of getting up early on Saturday mornings for sporting events so why not postpone it at least another year? Lucky for us, Reaghan is also really into wearing tutu's, twirling around, and doing anything that makes her feel like a princess. (This part of her is definitely not after her mama, but I'm completely on board with loving and promoting all princess activities in this house.)
Choosing dance worked out for us in the end because my sister in law also wanted to sign her little girl up for dance so now Reaghan will be taking taking ballet and tap with her cousin Brooklyn every Thursday night.
Their studio had an open house last week so we took the girls to meet their teacher and get fitted for their ballet and tap shoes.
We've signed her up for dance class! We are entering into the world of organized activities with our kids. The world where you have to get them to a certain place every week, buy them certain items to participate in said activity and cheer them on as they grow and learn. All summer we were talking about signing her up for something this fall and we were trying to decide between soccer and dance. She loves to run and kick the ball (a girl after her mama's own heart!) but soccer meant games every Saturday... usually early games... SO we totally made a selfish decision and chose dance instead! haha We figure we have YEARS ahead of us of getting up early on Saturday mornings for sporting events so why not postpone it at least another year? Lucky for us, Reaghan is also really into wearing tutu's, twirling around, and doing anything that makes her feel like a princess. (This part of her is definitely not after her mama, but I'm completely on board with loving and promoting all princess activities in this house.)
Choosing dance worked out for us in the end because my sister in law also wanted to sign her little girl up for dance so now Reaghan will be taking taking ballet and tap with her cousin Brooklyn every Thursday night.
Their studio had an open house last week so we took the girls to meet their teacher and get fitted for their ballet and tap shoes.
A couple days before I had found adorable leotards and dance shirts on sale at Old Navy so of course I had to get them for her. (Also those sandals were on sale for $5! I wish I had a pair.)
Unfortunately at the open house I learned that they can only wear black leotards and pink tights to class, but they can wear any kind of tutu or skirt over it. *face palm* so I returned all of the leotards back to Old Navy. First lesson of putting your children in organized activities - don't buy anything until you know for sure what the need! haha
Reaghan has a very timid personality so I'm eager to see how she does and I think this will be a good opportunity for her to grow. She'll be in the class by herself while I sit in the waiting area and she doesn't have much experience with that since she stays home with me. I think having Brooklyn there with her will help her be less nervous.
On the way home from the open house we stopped and got ourselves a little end of summer treat.
Reaghan experienced m&m blizzards for the first time this year and she loves them!
Classes officially start on September 14th so I'll let you know how it goes!
