A RealFamilies RealFun Blog

Aug 21 2008

Lucie-lina ballerina

Category: Family Fun

Lucie and I are so excited! The local dance studio called and they're offering a ballet/jazz class for little ones this summer. This is such a relief. While I have Nathan scheduled up the wazoo for golf lessons and art camp, I had nothing for Lucie outside of her usual playgroup dates -- and if you know anything about playgroups, they're just an excuse for the moms to get together. I'm so glad that she finally has an activity that's just for her.

While Lucie's in class, Nathan will be entertained in the childcare area. Also, I'll be able to take a yoga class at the same time. This was a huge selling point for me. I'm finally getting off my big rear end and taking a yoga class. I've been meaning to take one for years, but there's always been an excuse -- a writing deadline, a charter school meeting, or a zillion errands to run. Nothing like one stop shopping as an incentive to just do it.

When I told Paul how thrilled I was that Lucie would be taking ballet this summer, he just rolled his eyes. What is it with him and ballet? Too girlie? A silly excuse for Lucie to run around in leotards and tutus? (Like she needs an excuse.) I have a sneaking suspicion that he thinks it's for rich, spoiled girls whose moms regularly get plastic surgery and know the sales girls at Neiman Marcus by name.

I took ballet as a little girl, but quit when my mom put me in a class that was too advanced. I was too shy to say anything to my mom and too scared of the teacher to tell her I had no clue about what was going on. My sister, Michele, was a terrific dancer, but was waylaid by a knee condition that prevented her from going on pointe. My mom took ballet also and would have pursued it professionally if it weren't for her stern, Victorian father who thought ballerinas were one step up from "ladies of the night."

Paul's slowly warming up to the idea though, especially when he saw Lucie in her teeny black ballet shoes and dance t-shirt. If seeing how adorable his little girl is as she pretends to be Angelina Ballerina doesn't convince him, I don't know what will.