Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Ballerina Diaries

This morning Caroline realized her lifelong dream--she started ballet. I really don't think we will turn into a "ballet family" with girls working hours each day to attain the position of prima ballerina in Swan Lake or The Nutcracker...but I suppose I shouldn't say something I later regret. For now she is living for Thursdays when I drive her back out the Snoqualmie Valley to the community center where she and Ezra took classes when we lived out there. Yep, it's worth the 45 minute drive. The class costs a quarter of what anything around here costs. It's a beautiful balance of technique and fun. They learn the positions and the correct terminology but it isn't competitive. And there is an optional recital at the end of the four month session so that parents and family members can see what they've learned.
I love watching my kids learn from someone else in a group situation. And we love our teacher, Miss Sara. She has three kids similar in age to ours.
There were twirls...

and tip toes...
hopping...
and "leaping" over the bean bag : )
And LOTS of fun and giggles.
I do believe today was the only day the teacher leaves the classroom door open for observation. After this the ballerinas will work behind closed doors for better concentration. And then we'll see the final work of art on recital night. Should be a fun 4 months!

8 comments:

Rose said...

How fun!! That is my girls dream. It is so hard for me to pick what classes to run my kids to every week. I must say that after looking at your pictures, you are helping Savanna convince me to do ballet instead of piano :)!! Caroline's little slippers are just darling!!

Unknown said...

I don't think I'll be showing this to Amelia so she has to live through the agony of yet another friend taking ballet. Or, perhaps I'll just give in one of these days. If only I could drive to Snoqualmie for a quarter of the price! The pictures are darling!

NaomiG said...

I had to make sure to NOT open this while my girls were in the room, HA!! SO so cute!! Pretty sure a little ballet student makes for some of the cutest pictures ever. Love that you're able to get the classes so inexpensively, that would make it worth it FOR SURE. That's one of the reasons why my kids are in swimming... ballet is too expensive here. :-)

Penny said...

OH, so much fun! I love the pic of the girls at the barre in that big old room - beautiful! Your precious C is growing up (sniff, sniff)!

kdk said...

I remember that lifelong dream. It was either ballerina or rodeo queen. Hmm...

Megan Miller said...

So cute...oh my, little Caroline I love your chunky little legs! I do think it is a travesty that you don't get to watch the cuteness each week though. She looks like she is loving it.

Mike, Alice, and Hank the DOG said...

She is a natural! First class and I'd say she is doing it all right. It is too bad you can't watch. When I took Hannah to her ballet classes I got to watch through a window. It was fun. I am so glad Caroline is doing this...it is good on many levels. Give her some hugs from me, please!

robyn said...

She's a natural! Absolutely adorable!!