Tiny Dancer

Last week Jaia had her last ballet class.  The way it works is that parents aren’t allowed in to watch during the sessions until the last one, where they set up chairs and treat it like a bit of a recital.  Though when the dancers are ages 3-5, there isn’t much structured dance, so you basically watch them follow the instructor and (sometimes) do what she says.

You might remember from Jaia’s first class that following the instrustor wasn’t her strong suit.  A strong-willed, independent little girl, she wanted to dance the way she liked to and not bother with the rest of the class.  It was hilarious.

But 6 or so weeks later, as we sat there looking like parents from a Hallmark commercial smiling and waving at her while she performed,  we were shocked at the transformation – and the confidence.  She not only followed instruction, she was raising her hand with the others to offer suggestions, waiting her turn in line (patiently) to get her crown and ribbon, dancing along with the class (though she was throwing her own moves in between) and most importantly, was actually happy to be there.

Up until a couple of months ago, this kid was painfully shy.  Even with friends or family she would see often, the first half an hour of any visit saw her peeking out from behind my legs trying to scope out the scene and get comfortable before she would come out of hiding.  But since turning 3, a switch flipped.  She’s a new person.  She makes friends out at the park and is much less introverted.   I almost cried the day I watched her hold hands with a little girl and go down the slide with her as if they’d known each forever.  (Ok, I did cry a little, but no one saw me so it barely counts.)

It’s crazy to how fast she is growing up and becoming her own little person.  She amazes me every day.  She has plans, dreams, ideas and thoughts all her own.  And lots of them.  Now that this session of ballet is over, she’s taking a few days to decide if she’d like to join swimming, soccer or ballet this time.  I’m secretly hoping for soccer but I’m letting her decide.  Then again, she probably wouldn’t take my suggestion anyway so I’ll keep mum…unless she asks for my opinion.

Ha.  Fat chance.