Tiny Dancer

 

Iris loves to dance. She is good at it. Her recital was last weekend, and she led her class on stage. Afterwards, her teacher told me she always tells the class to "watch Iris." All of her five grandparents, her Aunt Penny and cousin Sophia, and even Henry came to watch her. I thought Iris' face was going to crack because her smile was so proud. For some reason, I couldn't stop crying. It was just too sweet, and it's her thing. She has no interest in soccer, doesn't want to try rock climbing, but sure loves to dance.

Go Team Go!

 

 

 

 

Lilly decided she was through with dance classes after her last recital.  With a sigh and a silent good bye to that little girl who was so excited to be a vallerina, I signed her up for soccer at her request. Summer soccer camp was not all it was cracked up to be. BOYS were there! One in particular decided to kick his ball at the back of her calves daily and splash water on her. It was hot and there was a lot of running involved. When we told Lilly she would be starting on a soccer team in the fall, she was mad... really mad.

I never thought of myself as a pushy parent who needs to have her children be well rounded with athletic teams, piano lessons, music or drawing classes. I figured they would love something and that's what they would do. Problem solved.
I was not prepared for her to give up before she really started. We told her, she made a commitment to her new team (and her parents couldn't get their money back) and had to uphold that commitment until the season was over. At that time, if she still hated soccer, she wouldn't have to sign up for another season.
Lilly being Lilly, kept a record in her journal of days she liked soccer and days she hated it. She complained for the first few practices and even cheered a resounding, "YES!" with a fist pump when her coach put someone else in for her at her first game. She has been hit in the face with the ball, lost every game so far, and been kicked in the shins, but after what has seemed like a small miracle, she has more tallies under the like side of her soccer record sheet! Whew. We are so glad we had her stick to it. It has been a great lesson for our self taught reader at age four to realize that not everything comes easily, and sometimes we still have things to learn.

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Dance Recital

 

 

Iris and Lilly had their dance recital last Sunday and it couldn't have been more perfect. All five grandparents and Penny & Sophia were there, while sweet Auntie Heather watched Henry, so Dan and I could focus on the girls. It was bitter sweet because Lilly has informed us that she no longer wants to dance and would like to give soccer a try. Iris, on the other hand, is determined to be an "ice skater ballerina" when she grows up. I feel so blessed to have found Selah dance company at Calvary Community Church in Brea. Not only is it affordable, but the girls dance to worship songs. I was literally bawling during Iris' main dance and even bought the CD by Rend Collective that has the song "Build Your Kingdom Here" on it. It is soooo good, kind of Mumford and Sons meets Avett Bros. meets Jesus! Love these two girls so much!