Thursday, September 7, 2006

Two Bitty Brunette Ballerinas


Dumpling and Cuddlebug had their best day ever today. They attended their first ballet lesson this afternoon and everything is changed for them! The grass is greener. The sky is a deeper shade of blue. The stars twinkle a little brighter than they did last night.

I didn't think ballet was going to be a part of their childhood, really. Too much vamp. Too much make up. Too much strange music. But when another homeschooling mom I know offered to include my girls in the class she was going to teach for her daughter and niece, I said, "count us in!"

I just grinned from ear to ear for the full hour as I counted my blessings. I'm glad that my girls know and like Mrs. Walston. They trust her. And can I talk a minute about the tuition? Nothing! We're sharing the rental fee for the studio. Can't beat that! And did I mention the music? Beautifully arranged instrumental hymns. How wonderful!

Today they learned how to sit properly, and how to stretch their legs. They were instructed about a new way to skip, gallop and...and...and something else like pretty girls rather than actual horses. They were instructed on how to hold their arms and legs in the first 5 positions, and they learned how to point and flex.

There has been a lot of pointing and flexing 'round here since.

I'm pretty sure that Cuddlebug was concentrating very hard to be attentive and just take it all in. It was clearly a profound moment -- a right of passage -- for her. I guess Dumpling was busting at the seams to be doing something she never bothered to mention she would like to do, and it was all just too good to be true! Both of them, I'm pretty sure, feel like real-life princesses.



But wait! There is more!

When we drove up to the house after lessons, there was a big white box covered in beautiful stickers waiting for them at the front door. From the time the little ones were born, they've all known what a big white box with stickers means: their Grandma has sent a package, and it is going to be a veritable candy picnic or else it's going to have one-of-everything-that-a-child-could-possibly-want -- for each of them -- inside. She sends one almost monthly, in time for every holiday. The girls mark the months by Grandma's packages.

Today's package was a surprise...just because. In it, Mom sent tracing books, crafts, sticker books, puzzles, a mini build-a-bear workshop, two historical fictions for Fifi and a geography card deck. I'm sure there was more, but it was all a blur, as it usually is when Mom's "on her game," spoiling the grandkids like you wouldn't believe. They. love. it. Love it! When you're 4 or 6 or 11, it's the next best thing to an in-person hug.


9 comments:

Joy M. said...

This is a wonderful blessing. My daughters did dance for 5 years. We started in a frufru one with the big recital and went to a DEDICATED ballet studio 2 years later. We LOVED it there. No recital, but the girls had in-studio parent days. No trashy costumes, no makeup, no curlers. Just straight up ballet in their regular leotard. Two years later we moved. All we could find was another frufru. We hated it and quit at the end of the year. What you have going is wonderful. They will learn all about grace and femininity that way, without the gawdy, trampy costumes! Thank you, Lord for giving GB's girls this opportunity!

Michelle said...

LOL, it sounds like quite a day! My dd started ballet 2 months before she turned 3 and has danced since. She loves it, though she has made it clear she doesn't want to be a ballerina. It has been a fun experience for us both (I love being there and just watching).

Your Mom sounds like a wonderful Grand! (((hugs)))

Barb said...

Wow! Your girls had a wonderful day. The photo is adorable. And the price of those lessons is pretty darn good, too.

Are they lucky or what? They have a Mary Poppins grandma.

Dawn said...

They look so adorable! No wonder they have such beautiful dark skin - a Costa Rican grandma! My grandkids will be gorgeous - can't wait sometimes to have more. But not until they're ready!

Thanks for your comment on the anniversary blog - just found it today.

Looney Mom™ said...

Oh your girlies are so cute.

And I love what "grandma" does - what an awesome thing. That's the kind of grandma I want to be.

Christa Blakey said...

What a sweet entry! I danced ballet for many years, I loved the black and pink attire--I had to wear that too! Glad your girls are getting to learn ballet and have fun doing it together!

Anonymous said...

I can't remember what it's called...but there is a Christian Ballet company down south somewhere. I have an e-buddy who danced with them until she blew out her knee. Hey - you never know... one of your little dancers might be dancing for the Lord someday!

I know how exciting those first lessons are. My 3rd boy - the four year old - had his first lesson with a real violin yesterday. The look on his face when he drew the bow across and got a note...Oh it was priceless! Mommy almost cried.

Anonymous said...

How exciting for your little ballerinas! I love that they're dancing to hymns. What a blessing for mom to have such a friend. Grandma sounds pretty awesome, too.

Bethany said...

What beautiful little girls. The ballet Blest mentioned is the Ballet Magnificante. (I'm not sure I spelled it right.) It is run by Christians in Jackson Mississippi and is world famous. They dance in Moscow, Paris, and all sorts of cool places! The testimony of its founders is absolutely amazing!

Your mother sounds like my mother! My kids would so dump me for her! She lives nearby so she doesn't do the package thing (except to my step-kids) but Nana is a rarity. She goes to great lengths to plan wonderful outings and days spent at her house.

One day, I dropped the kids off and she had her dining room table covered with white paper. They started the day coloring their hearts out. Then they baked cookies, went to the park, rode the four-wheeler to the creek, ate watemelon, and I can't even remember everything.

Grandparents are such a blessing!