My Jazz and Poppin little girl...

I am so proud of my little dancing gymnast. This is the first year she has been excited about dance. She says that she loves both dance and gymnastics but that gymnastics is her favorite. She says that gymnastics makes her more muscle-y and flexible. I didn't now "more muscle-y" was our goal, but I guess it is.

However, she is really loving her hip hop class. It's so perfect for her. She's not long and string beany nor is she super light on her feet- but she is strong and solid and firm. She hits every move with precision and throws around the hip hop attitude perfectly. The cutest thing about it is watching her sing while she dances.

I've included a video- it wasn't the best time she did it, but it was pretty darn cute.

She's also really enjoying her jazz class and is so excited that she gets to do her round off back handspring in it. It made me a little nervous when I found out that she's doing it on the hardwood floor, but she seems to be hitting it each time.

She may not love dance as much as gymnastics, but I think it has really helped her with her self confidence. I no longer hear her talking about how big she is nor see her grabbing the skin on her legs moaning about her fat. With dance, she has found that there are hundreds of body types that can all dance and move and look great. Unfortunately, at gymnastics most of the girls are littler than she is (even if they are older), so she's spent nights being upset about it.

I am so grateful she loves doing both and I believe these early years will help teach her that if you enjoy something, it is important to work at it and love it.

Dancing on a stage...

It's really been quite a while since I've been on the stage. 7 years to be exact- unless you count last year's 4th of July FireGirls 550 South performance.

For many years, dance was something that defined me. My dreams and goals all revolved around dance. But it never felt like the right thing for me to pursue. So I just danced for fun and exercise.

I haven't been in a dance class since Jade was a baby. I've really missed it and have loved being back in a studio. Getting to perform was truly the icing on the cake. It was AWESOME!!!!

I loved the energy backstage and the performers warming up. It was so much fun being part of it all again.

Cass and I are anxious to start class again in January. We're thinking that it would be very fun to start our own belly dancing group. There will need to be more people in our group than just the two of us. And we'll need to learn a LOT more skills- like the vibrating moves and isolation moves.

The concert was really fun and the diversity of the dancers was amazing. They were all sizes, all ages, all walks of life. Some of them were nice and others were rude. But all of us had something in common- we all enjoy belly dancing.

Miss Alexis is getting married

Forgive the bad pictures. How unlike me to leave my camera at home. But the truth is, I sometimes leave it just so I don't bug other people. Plus, I had no idea what to expect so I didn't bring it.

Both Ivy and Jade take class from Miss Alexis at the Vibe. We absolutely LOVE her. She is so patient with the girls and understands the difference in the two girls and helps them both. Earlier this year Miss Alexis got engaged and the time has finally come. In preparation for her big day, she had a Bridal Shower at the VIBE and all of her students were invited. It was a great way to let the girls celebrate her wedding, without having a bunch of little girls running around the reception.

Jade had gymnastics until 6:15 so we were really late. (It started at 5). They had done gifts and had a very nice buffet of treats and goodies. I'm not sure everything they had, because it was mostly cleaned up when we got there. Each of the girls got to make a wedding veil. I was really impressed with what a great job they did making Miss Alexis' day special and making it fun for the little girls.

When we got there, they were just getting ready to "dress the bride." Jade was in the skirt group and Ivy was in the veil group, but she changed groups so she could be with Jade. They had a blast and loved getting to help Miss Alexis celebrate.

They call me ...

Aimichka (Aim-itch-ka)- the little beloved. It's my gypsy name. Because I've become a belly dancer. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not a good belly dancer and I can't do the cool stomach ripple- at least not yet. But, it's our latest challenge.

About a month ago, I got an email from my cousin, Cass, asking me if I wanted to join her in taking a class through UVU. I was so excited when Scott agreed to do bedtimes, without me, every Tuesday night so I could take the class. We've had 4 classes so far and I absolutely LOVE it. So does my cousin, her daughter, my aunt and my mom. We go through the number together whenever we can.

We even get to perform!!!! I am so excited, but don't expect me to post a date and time until after the fact. We've ordered hip scarves and little finger tamborines and we're going to make long skirts and order the unitards that have a mesh belly. (I'm in no shape to really show my belly!)

Hopefully Kat and Sari will join us the next time around- because we are loving it.

PS- our teachers name is Kalista and she dances with the Desert Gypsy Dance Company She's really fun and very good at the belly ripple that we all want to be able to do.

Little Ballroom Dancers...

You all know that Jade is our little gymnast. She loves to flip, jump, bend and balance, but this past year, she has found something else that she loves. She loves to perform and dance. After her recital in May, she asked if she could be on stage more. So, this past summer, she took another jazz/ballet class and we added a ballroom class. She loved ballroom and really enjoyed doing it with Luke, her cousin.

Since she loved to perform, I asked her if she wanted to audition for the performing companies at the Vibe. They had an intensive three day workshop where she got to learn a hip hop routine, a ballroom dance and a jazz number. She worked really hard on the choreography and wanted to remember the dances. The day after the workshop, they had closed auditions. (Closed auditions mean that the parents don't get to watch). I hated that I had to drop her off and then just wait, but both girls did a great job with their auditions. They received wonderful comments from the judges and they both worked really hard.

Yesterday we got the news that Jade made all three performing companies. They are trying really hard to have all of her classes on Monday and Wednesday (she has to take 5 hours a week). Keep your fingers crossed that it works that way because gymnastics is on Tuesday and Thursday (4 hours a week). I was planning on making her choose between the two, but I think she's just too young to have to quit one of them just yet. If she's feeling overwhelmed, then we can decide which one has to go. But, for now, I'm so excited for her and can't wait to watch her grow.

The Ballerina in our house...

Every summer, we sign up for the Jacqueline's School of Ballet Summer Workshop. I really love the technique that the girls learn at that studio and would love to have the girls there during the school year but for Ivy's age it is creative movement and she's learning a lot of skills at the Vibe. That being said, their summer workshop is WONDERFUL. Each week they focus on a different ballet. The girls get to learn about the story and they do a dance telling the whole story. On the last day, Ivy got a beautiful crown. She was so proud of it and felt very much like a princess.

Here are a few pictures of Ivy. I had to be a pushy mom and move in front of some other mom's while Ivy was doing her across the floor, but since I only got to go watch one time, I justified it. The first two are through the glass and there is some reflection, but the last two, I snuck my lens through the door.

PS- Ivy made the Boogie Baby jazz company at the VIBE. She is so excited.

Scooters and Dance apparently go together

It took us a while to get Jade excited about her bike. It didn't take us a minute to get Ivy excited about her scooter. We bought her an adorable 3 wheeler princess scooter. She loves the tassels and things she's pretty amazing cruising around. There is a smile from ear to ear.

One of the important lessons that we have learned from her scooter skills is that her dance lessons are paying off. Check out her form while holding an arabesque and gliding across the street. So, if I ever question whether or not to keep her dancing, I have my answer. YES YES YES. Plus, she's a bit of a klutz, so the dance will help with that.

Ivy and her dance recital

Here are some pictures of Ivy and her little friend, Toria, from the recital.

V.I.B.E dance recital

As many of you know, I was once a dancer. No, I never was professional. I had an opportunity and turned it down in order to serve a mission for our church. But, I will always consider myself a dancer. I grew up in a leo and tights. My favorite shoes are my dance tennis shoes that mold perfectly to my foot. I love being on stage and I miss the lights. No, I never wanted to be in the spotlight- I was happy being part of a group. This past week, I learned that both of my daughters enjoy it as much as I did- maybe even more.

Their dance numbers were short and sweet. They both concentrated very hard and never forgot to smile. When they were done, they both said "I love dance". Actually, Ivy gushed about how awesome it was and how wonderful it was to be up on stage while we were in our seats watching her. She loved the lights, her costume, her dance and that the whole audience was there to watch her- at least in her mind. Jade simply stated that she loved dance and wanted to continue taking more classes and wants to audition for the performing group. (I'm not sure she really has the time, because she still says she loves gymnastics more and she's already doing 4 hours a week there and she wants to take piano).

This summer, both girls will continue taking at the VIBE and Ivy will start taking a Jackie Colledge. Jade will continue with 4 hours of gymnastics and 1/2 hour of karate. (I'd pull her from karate but they make you sign a 6 month or a year contract). Plus we'll add swim lessons to that and if anyone knows of a piano teacher near us, Jade is dying to start playing. She's already learned a couple of songs and made up one (which she can play for you over and over again).

Thanks, Cass, for letting me borrow your camera. It really made a huge difference being able to bump up that ISO.

Activities following the Dance Festival

Ivy loves doing the "chicken dance" with Jade. Jade and Ivy have a great time dancing together.

Renaissance did a fund raiser and they set up a bunch of games. Jade hung out with Tyson, played bingo and chased after candy. They had a lot of fun. We left early and went for pizza at Costco with our friends the Hawkins.

Renaissance Dance Festival

Friday morning, the Renaissance Charter School had their annual dance festival. The did it around a Spanish theme. Jade's grade started out the program by singing "It's a Small World" in Spanish. They were so adorable and I was really impressed that none of the kids seemed to have stage fright. Each grade did a Spanish dance. The ballroom team did really well for a school. It was too bad they didn't have more boys on the team.

The kindergartners concluded the program by doing the chicken dance in Spanish. The families were invited to join for a repeat performance of the chicken dance.

So, I have a question. Do most parents allow their kids to say "butt?" I ask, because we don't. We have our kids say "bum" or "fanny." When Jade's Spanish teacher translated the chicken dance from Spanish to English, she said "...so I shake my butt." I had to remind Jade, that we don't say that word. Do you feel "butt" is okay to say?

What are some of the words that you don't allow your kids to use or don't want to hear kids say?

Dance Class for Jade

Forgive the quality of these pictures, but I couldn't resist taking some pictures of Jade in her dance class. She did such a great job of following Miss Alexis. She really tried hard to do everything she was told to do. While Miss Alexis was working with the other girls, Jade practiced the dance they are learning for the recital.

This is the fifth time we've attempted to get Jade in dance. The first time was at Jackie Colledge Ballet, for a summer workshop. She loved it and did it with Asher. Then she did the BYU Children's Dance Theater. She loved the creative dance class, but after she fell during the recital, she didn't want to go back. The next year we tried a dance class at my friend's studio. She didn't enjoy the class and the other girls were not very nice to her, so she quit mid-year. Then in the summer she took the ballet workshop again. She loved the dance class but wasn't willing to give up karate or gymnastics to add dance class.

I don't mind taking her out and putting her back in when she asks, but now that she's back in, I hope she wants to stay. She's very good and looks adorable doing it.

Ivy started dance class and LOVES it

For months, Ivy has been asking when she could start ballet. I spoke to one ballet school and they said they don't start girls until they are 3 years old. I thought that that sounded like a good target date. She doesn't get to start primary at church, so dance would be a good stepping stone for social skills. So, I told Ivy that when she turns 3 she can start ballet.

Little did I know that for months she would tell the world that in January she would get to start ballet. If someone asked her how old she was, she would answer, "I'm 2 but almost 3 and I get to start ballet in January, when I'm 3."

A couple of nights before she started her dance class, she and I went to the dance store. Jade has several Leos that she wore to gymnastics and dance, but I wanted Ivy to be excited about her outfits and pick out her own. We went to "The Glass Slipper" in American Fork. It is such a cute little store. They have a whole room of just black Leos. She picked an adorable purple Leo and a stunning black one. They didn't have pink ballet slippers, so she got black. They are now her "favorite color for ballet slippers."

Saturday morning, she was up and eager to get ready for dance. Since this day will go down in history as "The Day Ivy Started Dance," I had to do a quick photo shoot. She is such a beautiful little girl. I love the picture in the middle, where she is trying so hard to do "first zition" (for those of you who do not speak Ivy-nese, that is first position).

Scott and Jade joined me and Ivy for her first class. We had a little talk about how important it is to really pay attention and do everything the teacher asks her to do. She was bouncing off the walls, she was so excited. She was fantastic the whole class. She never got distracted or confused. As soon as class was over, she came running out and said "I did everything my teacher asked me to do and I did a good job in my ballet class."

I had her go back and say a big "thank you" to Miss Alexis, her teacher.

Every day, since her first lesson, she asks if she can go to dance class today. And every day I get to tell her "on Saturday" and explain how many days that is.

Now, anytime someone asks Ivy how old she is, she answers, "I'm three and I'm in ballet class." If you ask her if she is a little girl, she answers, "No, I'm a ballet girl."

So You Think You Can Dance?

My girls absolutely think they can dance. Miss Kim captured these pictures while they were dancing together in the kitchen. They are so funny. I'm good with this dancing as long as Jade doesn't decide to try any lifts.