Natalie was in a class called First Steps where they mostly just had fun moving around with scarves, maracas, etc.
You may notice in the above picture that there is a gigantic hole in Natalie's tights. I promise it was tiny when I put them on her that morning. AND, these were the more expensive, supposedly durable tights I had just bought her a few weeks before. Anyway, when we got to the studio and I opened her door to unbuckle her, she had as much of her hand as she could fit in that hole. So frustrating...Back to the pictures. I love the way she skips. She can only seem to lift her right knee when skipping but it is so cute.
Falling down...
...but getting back up
Elizabeth was in a beginning ballet and tap class.
I love this one: so serious...
Reach for your star!
She loved it.
Here's the only decent tap picture I got:
They did a couple of cute routines. It was so funny, though, because Elizabeth sang SO loudly. You know, that yelling kind of singing. At least she knew most of the words and was singing out! Some of the other kids just sat there.Anyway, they both had a good experience. My poor kids have my coordination/gracefulness (none, that is) so nothing really came very easy but they both tried their hardest and loved being little ballerinas.
Now they are starting a class with their friends taught by a friend of mine out of the goodness of her heart. She is a saint, seriously. They are excited to be able to keep dancing.
Maybe I'm weird, but sometimes the girlyness of my girls bothers me. I was pretty much a tomboy and so I guess I just expected them to be like me. I hated wearing anything pink. I hated having my hair done (I guess that's pretty much every little girl). I wanted my hair in a ponytail every day. I don't remember caring much about clothes. Of course I had an older brother so I guess that influenced me.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, loves clothes and shopping and actually remembers, down to minute details, the clothes her friends have worn. Natalie is such a little princess and loves to twirl around in her princess dress-ups to Disney songs.
I was thinking about this recently and I remembered a day not too long ago when I had actually curled my hair (a rarity). Joe didn't say anything about it (Haha--don't feel bad, Joe) but when the girls both saw me they mentioned right away that they loved my hair and that I looked beautiful. They do the same if I wear a shirt I haven't worn in awhile, too.
I thought to myself, maybe girly daughters aren't so bad. :)
4 comments:
That's adorable. They are both the cutest little ballerinas!
That's so funny, because I'm the same way. I remember wanting to look nice, but not needing the latest fashions, and not spending near as much time in the bathroom as the rest of my sisters. I also remember my dad playing catch with my brother and him not wanting to, and me piping in that I wanted to. I loved and still love being outside and getting dirty! My oldest is very girly and it bothers me too. I feel bad for her because I'm not that great with hair, clothes or anything girly. Same thing too, when I take the time to dress up or wear something a little nicer that I haven't worn for a long time, I get HUGE compliments! Moe, he's the best, because he always tells me I look good, even when I really don't :). The other, well she's like me I guess :)! They do make beautiful ballerinas and princesses though! It's fun to take the time to please your girls. I just don't want my girls to become obsessed with material things that in the long run really don't matter. I understand why it bothers you. With you as their mother though, I think they'll turn out just fine.
That is so funny and sweet about how they noticed your hair. They are such special girls and say the funniest things. I love your writing style so much- great reads!
i never hoped for girls for this very reason you speak of. now i have three girls. my oldest girl (11) used to be as girly as they come -everything pink. frills. sparkly.- but with my influence and guidance (along with her father's manly way of doing everything) she's really turned into quite a tomboy!!!
i don't ever remember being a princess or wanting to wear dresses or any of that girly stuff. i, also, had two older brothers to lead me... so maybe that does have something to do with it --- however, when we grew up there wasn't nearly as many princess emphasized toys, shows, etc. thrown at us either. i remember barbie. that's it. we had other girly options (rainbow brite, care bears, my little pony, etc), but none of them were so GIRLY GIRL emphasized. anyway, i feel like all the girls nowadays from about age 1 to age ... about 2nd grade-ish, girls are just girly! they want to be like all the princesses that are labeled on EVERYTHING they see.
anyway, don't get too discouraged, or let it bother you too much. soon they'll start seeking out an identity of their own. make sure and balance out their lives with all sorts of cultured things (i see elizabeth played soccer...) and the girls will even out. and, they may end up staying girly. don't hold it against them... just take the opprotunity to live a girly life through them! maybe you'll like it?! :)
take care.
tawna
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