Welcome to the Ballet Show

I don't know as I remember the exact minute that Nut fell in love with dancing, but it did happen sometime last spring. For the longest time there were only princess dresses and tutu's that they would dress up in but something clicked. Now Brad and I are treated (often) to "Balance Shows" by the girls. 

Ballet (n.)

 

1. A classical dance form characterized by grace and precision of movement and by elaborate formal gestures, steps, and poses.

2. A theatrical presentation of group or solo dancing to a musical accompaniment, usually with costume and scenic effects, conveying a story or theme.

3. A musical composition written or used for this dance form.

4. A company or group that performs ballet.

 

Balance Show (n.)

 

*ahem* 

 Anyhoo...Nut has been asking to take dance classes with her BFF, "Brookie". So, in the beginning of the summer, we signed her up at the Academy of Performing Arts here in town. She is to have one 30 minute class a week. In each class, she will be doing 15 minutes of ballet and 15 minutes of tap. 

We took her to Open House a few weeks ago so we could buy her shoes. The ballet shoes are beautiful little rose colored leather slippers. They make no noise at all. I love them very much. The tap shoes? Shiny black patent leather. With metal on the bottom. That make a TON of noise, especially in a home with all hardwood floors. Errrrrgh. No tap shoes allowed in the house. Period. 

Day One of dance class came and Nut may have been more excited than I have ever seen here. I was a little bit weepy, I can't lie. It was really strange to think that my little baby girl was about to start something that is all her own. It wasn't even just that she didn't need me for this, I would not be allowed in the room at all. I would be stuck in the lobby with the other Dance Mom's (nooooooooooooooooooooooo....) watching my sweet little girl on closed circuit TV. 

On the big day, I left work early and picked her up from daycare to bring her to class. She had picked out her exact outfit the night before. I had thought she would certainly pick pink but no, she went all Black Swan on me. In the dressing room at APA, I told her that it was time to get dressed and she sighed heavily and said "Oh Momma....I am going to be so beautiful." 

The Black Swan

We then moved to the lobby to wait for class to begin and the other girls to show up. Lots of little girls with masses of blonde hair piled on their heads coupled with lots of pink and lots of glitter. Soon enough, BFF Brookie showed up with her mom and brother and the screaming and giddiness commenced. 

Hayden & Brookie

Fortunately, there wasn't long to wait for class. They had introductions and we could see them doing some steps in the room but before long they came running out for the shoe change. 

"MommaIneedtoputmytapshoesonbecausewearedonewithballetandnowwehavetapIneedmytapshoesyouhavetoputthemonformewherearemyshoesIhadsooooooooooooooooomuchfuninballetIneedmytapshoessoIcangobacktoclass." 

Or something like that. One breath, a hundred words. Sheer excitement. 

We could see them on the TV and Brad was pleased that the first movement they do is something that the long jumpers do. So naturally, Hayden will be a world class long jumper before long. 

30 minutes, class over. The excitement was almost too much and she was not happy to remove her beloved tap shoes since I only allow her to wear them for that 15 minutes every week. 

We did hear all about the class later that night and she even showed me what they practiced. I was very impressed because she knew probably 5-6 little steps after only that small class. I know she won't forget them and she's already asking if she can go to dance class again tomorrow. 

I wonder what our "Balance Show's" will look like from here on out now that Hayden can be a professional choreographer?