One of the great coincidental perks my mom got to enjoy while she was here was attending the final days of Eleanor’s summer dance classes.
On Tuesday we both went to observe the ballet class. Eleanor was participating, but she wasn’t that into it. When it was “free dance” time, she just jumped around in a circle and giggled; the opposite of the usual serious, expressive dances she does. Eleanor’s heart just isn’t in ballet.
Then, on Thursday, we observed the modern/lyrical class she’s taking just for the summer. Whoa — what a difference! Eleanor was focused, excited, and taking the lead on the work the class was doing as a group.
I nearly started sobbing — this is the reason why I’ve stuck with dance classes for Eleanor for so long. She was so happy!
At the end of class, she begged her teacher to stay a little longer and teach her a few more moves, and her instructor was kind enough to oblige.
The only downside to the modern/lyrical class is that the students were required to know how to do a cartwheel, which Eleanor really, really can’t figure out how to do. I’m not all that thrilled with the cartwheel requirement, but Eleanor so fully enjoyed every other aspect of this class that I overlooked it. It’s just thrilling when you find something your kid genuinely cares about and enjoys.
Casa Camisas 