Dancer

Maddux opted to take a gymnastics class this spring instead of doing a team sport. I was able to find a class that offered gymnastics AND ballet/hip-hop, which she's come to really enjoy. Every other week she wears ballet shoes and practices her plies and sautes. On the other week(s), she dons sneakers and does some basic hip hop style moves. Every week she does gymnastics for the second half of class.

This girl is a natural when it comes to basic gymnastics: her upper body strength is great and she can balance fairly well on the beam. (This is a bit surprising since she walks into walls and will trip over her own feet sometimes. It just goes to show that her focus is necessary to stay injury-free.)

No pictures or video yet; the glass between me and the class is not easy to shoot through.

Tinker Belle Camp

What a summer.....so many camps and other things the kids wanted to enjoy! "Tinker-Belle" camp is one that Maddux begged for. I resisted until just about a week ago, mainly because I feel like our summer has been so fun but so busy... In the end, I gave in and let her attend this fun ballet camp with her ballet teacher from last year.

Each morning the girls worked hard on props and dances, and on Friday we all got to come and enjoy the show they put on. The theme was "Rio", and Maddux adored the music. She and her friends even made popcorn for us to eat while we watched! (Warning: this video is the full performance...very long unless you are a die-hard Mad Dog fan.)

Maddux's Ballet Recital

Maddux has been participating in a short ballet class once/week after school. She's learned so much and for the past few weeks she's been dancing around our house in a somewhat organized manner, practicing for her end-of-the-year recital. This afternoon, we got to see her and her class in action. It was a glorified ballet class, complete with costumes (just borrowed - what a great idea!) and tiaras (pipe cleaners). She had a blast and Eli, Lehr and I loved watching her so focused on her performance. After she finished, Lehr gave her a special bouquet of flowers...life is good.

Ballet Buddies

For Maddux's last ballet class this week, she was allowed to bring a friend along to participate in the class with her. Maddux chose Anni, a slightly older friend we hang with whenever we can. We picked Anni up on the way to class and Maddux was SOO excited to have it just be the girls in the car. (The stars aligned and Lehr ended up with an appointment at the house at the same time, so Eli stayed with him.) The girls were so cute, dressed almost identically. Since I'm not allowed to watch the class, I couldn't see all they did, but the laughter was indicative of a good time. Maddux assured me that she stayed with Anni during the class, "cuz she didn't know anyone else".

Tiny Dancer

Yesterday was Maddux's spring ballet observation. Eli and I got to sit in her studio and watch her whole class (no photos or video allowed). Just as before, Maddux and her classmates went through a series of fun, dancer-esque exercises across the floor, including stretching. Maddux will not be participating in the Spring Concert next month, but she is learning the short dance with her class anyway. She loves when they get to hold hands and run around the room....go figure!

Ballet Observation

I know I'm waaaay behind on posting this, but time is hard to come by these days!!

Last week was Maddux's ballet observation week. Her studio does not allow viewing during classes, due to the distraction factor. As much as I want to watch her each week, I respect that, especially at Maddie's age. So last week was the first time I got to see her in her class. Lehr and Eli were allowed to view, as well, so the three of us sat with a few other parents at the front of the class and watched 45-minutes of three and four-year-old ballet unfold.

First off, Maddux had to change classes the week before, due to low attendance in her time slot. (Read: Maddux had 2 or 3 'private' lessons because she was the only one showing up.) So this observation was only the second time Mad Dog was in that class. That did not stop the other girls from taking their cues from my crazy girl. She is a natural leader, and it is wacky to watch. She doesn't do anything specific, but when she walks into a room, or approaches a group, they respond. I can only hope she uses her powers for good instead of evil....

The girls did really well listening to the teacher and mostly doing what was asked, even though the parents were in the room. Sometimes they didn't duplicate what their instructor did first, but they all tried their best and were very respectful. It was so so so neat to watch. Maddux was always the first to raise her hand when Miss Noelle asked "Does anyone know...." or "What does it mean when I say....." Maddie would raise her hand, kinda stick out her belly, grin and say, "I know!" in a cute, goofy and excited voice. And she did know. My girl definitely listens in class. No pictures were allowed, so here is just an old shot of her before one of her first classes. I can't wait for Spring observation week!

Capital "A", Audacious

Maddux is the kid I always wished I was. She walks into a social situation with no fear and not only makes friends, but leads those new friends. So far this seems to be a good thing, as I've not seen her in a 'bossy' role with friends-for-a-day as of yet. Take today, for example. She and I were at a small park playing. Two other children approached, around her age, so I backed off to allow mingling. Maddux immediately went up to them and (I'm pretty sure these were her exact words) said, "Hey you, y'wanna play?" For the next twenty minutes the three of them played without any arguments or out-of-control behavior. It was beautiful. And my daughter was the one 'leading' the play most of the time, but she'd toned her voice and actions down a few notches to meet their calm dispositions. Amazing. I think that's why Mad Dog does so well socially: she knows when and how to alter her presence to fit with the situation.

Just a few hours later we went to her first ballet lesson. The studio I chose is a very 'strict' one with a specific dress code and 'manner' code. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sweating this one. Images of Maddux being (politely) asked to leave due to her volume and silliness crossed my mind. But when I put her hair in that little bun and we walked into the waiting room, she instantly fell into a calmer, shyer Maddux. Maybe not shy, but just not so audacious. (And I LOVE how audacious she normally is; don't get me wrong!!) She had a great class and walked out of the room as calmly as she walked in. Amazing. Because you know two minutes out of the studio she was singing silly songs and strutting her crazy strut as she usually does.