Our prima ballerina

Isabelle has been asking for quite some time if she can go to "ballerina school." We found a cheap, 6-week ballet and tap class on Saturdays offered through the city of Carlsbad Parks & Rec department, and decided to enroll her.

Her first class was this past Saturday, and I knew from experience that she might be a little too shy to participate on Day One - like a lot of kids Isabelle gets a little nervous when experiencing things for the first time, but usually warms up to the situation fairly quickly.

This class was no different. When she suddenly found herself in a room full of strange children with strange adults and a strange teacher, she clung to me and refused to participate. She picked out some props to wear, including a pair of pink fairy wings, but instead of joining the group she watched from the sidelines.

I gave her some gentle encouragement to see if she'd overcome her stubbornness and play with the other girls, but quickly realized I would just need to let her make her own decision - Isabelle is not a child you can force into doing anything. After about 20 minutes, she took a few steps away from me, and then instead of dancing with the other girls, she decided to dance all by herself next to my chair. For the next 25 minutes she was in her own world - she twirled, jumped, skipped and did her own thing, even when the other girls were sitting in a circle stretching and she was the only little girl in the room dancing!


Once again, Blogger won't let me post vertical photos. GRRRR!!!

"I don't know about this, mom..."

"Screw those other girls. I'll dance by myself!"

"I don't know why I was so worried. I'm such a diva!"

Despite my concern that she didn't enjoy herself, Isabelle apparently had a grand old time. When we got in the car she said she was going to tell all her friends that she went to ballerina school. Then when Jason asked her later if she had fun, she agreed.... and when he asked her if she danced with the other little girls she replied, "Nope! I danced next to my mommy!"

She is definitely not one to join the herd!