Saturday 22 September 2007

Oh how the mighty have fallen

Chloe had her first ballet lesson on Saturday. It was also my first day as a ballet-mom, and I didn't know that the elastic ties on Chloe's slippers were supposed to be tucked to the inside, so her teacher took care of it.
How could I have missed this part of my education as a mother to three daughters?
Well, with the first two girls Ken took a stand on ballet lessons. To quote him directly, "It's the lamest thing you could put a girl in."
He still feels that way, he's just been worn down by years of Barbies, Fashion Polly's, and Disney Princesses.
~

20 comments:

Mandy said...

Chloe looks so cute in her little tutu. I'm excited to hear more about her lessons.

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Barb, I loved all of these posts. The colors in the ballerina picture are so pretty...and to catch the teacher teaching is so perfect.

The hockey game, the noise sticks, the flyer delivery--all so fun to read about. Thanks for posting.

Anonymous said...

So, how does Carmen feel about this?

The picture you caught is really darling.

Barb said...

Carmen is remarkably good with this. She's over the little girl ballerina fantasy thing, but who knows, maybe she'll get envious and sign up for an older beginner class, if this studio has them. Mostly Carmen is just agitated because riding lessons haven't started yet.

Denise said...

That's a great photo! And ballet is not lame. Ever.

Well, okay, when I was a kid, there was one boy in my ballet class, and his mom made him wear a purple leotard. That was a little lame.

melanie said...

What a sweet photo of Chloe. Ken's comment is funny and sounds just like a man. I can hear Milo saying something similar.

Marie said...

When I heard Chloe was in ballet lessons my immediate thought was, "How did this get past Ken?"

I guess all it takes is about 14 years of parenting little girls to crack him. Wimp. ;-)

Jill said...

What a funny thing for your husband to take a stand on. To me it seems like an integral part of childhood for a girl, even if it doesn't last long.

Of course, now that I say that I'm going to have sign Whitney up. Ha.

carlo said...

awww, sweet pic! that is a keeper.

pls tell ken that ballet (if he hasn't figured it out already) is so important on so many levels, including balence, strong core muscles and so on. as a non-dancer (and non-coordinated) i am struggling through pilates and i know ballet training, even just a bit of it, would have helped. also a strong core helps with so much, including prevention of injuries in other sports, and so on...

:) and my girls are non-dancers so i really regret not signing them up now that i know the benefits...

Sandi said...

What an adorable picture. Thank you for being a "girl" and not afraid of it. I hope all your girls learn how important it is to be proud to be female.

Anonymous said...

Hooray for ballet! I hope Chloe loves it. I took dance lessons for 9 years or so, and in high school even got to be an assistant dance instructor. I absolutely loved it. I had to stop when I moved away for college, and could never find another dance company that I liked as much. I miss it so, and still sometimes practice by myself in my living room!

jenny said...

First what a fun birthday celebration for a boy!!! I may have to steal that one.

I don't think there are instructions on any sport or dance for that matter. I was SO clueless for football pads. I don't thing there is any difference when it comes to ballet either. (my hubby doesn't like ballet either) Tell him it is great for balance and coordination which is great for ALL sports :)

Elizabeth said...

My daughters were tucked in by her teacher on the first day of class also.

Humphreys Family said...

In Ken's defense, and speaking as a girl, i must admit that i've never been a fan of ballet either. I know it can have some benefits (core, muscles, etc.), but it always seemed so froufy and pointless... I suppose that explains why my 3 girls didn't do ballet either.

However, I'm am excited for Chloe -its exciting for her to get to do something that she's so excited about.

Denise said...

Pointless! heeee, Christy said ballet was pointless! Get it? en pointe, toe shoes...pointless...

No? Okay, just me, then. Unintentional pun cracked me up.

michelle said...

Ballet is not lame, not to little girls, anyway! I imagine he is quite worn down, after years and years of girly stuff...

Lucy said...

I don't even know what we'd do with a girl. Ballet lessons! It sounds so cute:) That and gymnastics. I know boys can be in it too...but there is just something about boys that can do the splits that gives me the willies. Even though they really are so strong!

Ortensia Norton said...

You know, this is going to be added to Mark's list of why he'll never feel sorry for the youngest child:-)

Emily said...

Oh, I am shaking, shaking, shaking my head at Ken. Every little girl needs to try being a ballerina at least once!

Tip Junkie said...

How exciting!! I'm glad you were able to have that experience with your daughter. I have 3 boys. You lucky mom! ;)