A different kind of post..reflections on three year old ballerinas

Good morning.

I am taking a break from normal programming today to talk about something I did yesterday that may have changed me forever.

I volunteered to be a backstage "Helper Mom" for Savannah's dance class, and also help out with the other two preschool age classes. There are 8 of us in something called the "Black Box Theater Room" with these children.

Yesterday was the dress rehearsal. Tonight is the actual recital.

I taught kindergarten for several years, and taught other ages from 4 year olds through 9 year olds for ten years. I have also been teaching my own at home since Watson was 7. He is now 13. There are 7 little girls in this dance class who are participating in the recital. "How bad could it be?? I get three free tickets!" FREE!! I love free !!

Oh. My. Goodness.


Let me ask you a question. Have you ever been sequestered in a room with 25 or so 3, 4 and 5 year old little girls for say, three or four hours? Only having one little girl at home, I like the way she approaches the world. She has a dancer's heart.. and she twirls , hops, flips and dances her way through the main part of her day. This is cute to me, especially after having two boys who did nothing like that. She is also much quieter than the boys were. I really like that about her. I could go on and on about the things I like about my daughter... and yesterday she was one of about 5 who actually behaved. God smiled on me where she was concerned.

Fast forward to yesterday afternoon..

25 little girls in makeup and full costume for the dress rehearsal. Hair in buns, lipstick applied.. anxious Moms backstage who were fussing with this or that on their girls, not wanting to leave them in the care of the capable helper moms- and 8 helper moms , armed and ready to entertain, fix, and care for these little ballerinas. ( I will say this.. they WERE ALL PRECIOUS.)

I am going to spare you the gritty details of what happened next, but I will say this: Nothing has ever stopped my heart like a little girl named Tori did yesterday when she refused to come off the little mini stage in the holding room, in her costume, then announced "Miss Cheryl, Imma FWIP!" and before I could get to her, she FWIPPED off the end of the platform. It was at the end of a long afternoon with Tori.. Tori led the ballerina rebellion during Savannah's class performance and had three other wayward dancers following her lead as she ran circles around the girls who were trying to dance. Tori was the one who announced the need to "GO DO POO" as we were lined up JUST about to go on for the finale..and there was more.. much much more- but the "fwip" was the end of the rope for Miss Cheryl.

Tori's mother did not come to get her until 6 o clock. All the other girls were gone by 5:30.. but bless Tori's heart, she was tired, firsty and "all wored out" and finally sitting and quietly watching a movie when her Mommie got there at 6. I had been with Tori since 3 o clock, and Miss Cheryl was also "all wored out".

After bath time , cuddle time ( I think I forgot to eat last night), Miss Cheryl went to bed at 9 o clock. I feel much better for tonight.. round 2- the recital.

Pray that Tori does not feel like fwipping. Pray also that her potty needs are met before she is lined up to go onstage. Pray for God to give me enough grace to be sweet no matter what happens..

By the way, next year I will be paying for my tickets.
:)

Love to all,
Cheryl