Thursday, September 8, 2011

Those Days

We're just going to take it easy today. Staying in, even though it's finally not rainy and yucky. Actually we were out when it was rainy and yucky, so I think that counts for double, right?
River is teething hard and sleep is becoming more and more scarce. Even so, I've been getting up extra early just to have some time to myself and time to catch up on some online work before the girls wake. Not this morning, though. She tossed and turned and thrashed and nursed all night (and, my goodness, is my body achy!). I would have gotten up anyway, but she wouldn't go back to sleep. I finally said 'forget it!' at 6 and got up with her, which, of course, woke her sisters. For my own sanity I insisted they stay in bed til it was light out, so I was able to squeeze a little time (and coffee) in.
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I'm trying to back away from the edge of extreme irrability and just going to go kind of easy on all of us today. We may draw, we may bake. Heck, I may even break out a video.
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Do you have those days? When you just drop all plans and good intentions and hunker down, instead? Yeah, it's one of those days.
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I'm working on me right now. On patience, which isn't my strong suit, on taking time, being slower, breathing before I speak or act... cultivating a gentle spirit. I'm a work in progress. And today's practice is recognizing that, if I push it, this day is going to unravel, really fast.
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Kaiya will begin ballet next Tuesday. I thought I had it figured out where I would be sending her. I chose the school that taught only ballet (because that's what she really, really, really wants to learn) and offers two classes a week for the same price (or cheaper) than some of the others places around that only offer one class per week. My thinking being that if she really gets into it and may want to go further, then she will really benefit from the extra classes and what she learns will 'stick' better.
Well, the instructor did not send the info I was supposed to have received and I called yesterday to find out if I still have time to get her in and I'm supposed to have what I need in a day or so and she will begin Tuesday. But while waiting for them to return my call, I called another. This one is the same price, only one day per week and, while they do offer other dance classes, the class is ballet only, not ballet/hip hop/jazz. But it's about 15 minutes closer and she will begin that one on Tuesday, as well.
I'm going to have to juggle my whole week around if she goes to the first. Her classes would be Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday my knitting group meets and on Thursday I was supposed to begin a Waldorf study group with a like minded friend. Just the two of us, but I'm really eager to get started. If she goes to the other, I only have to move around one day.
Anyway, I really don't know what the best direction to go is. Her dad will be helping out with the taking to and fro and watching after the younger girls girls, still... an awful lot of juggling. If you have children in dance classes, what do you think? Should we shoot for the one with twice as many lessons? Is it worth it?

Comments (6)

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Oh, Julie. I offer you many internet hugs. My life, lately, seems to be Those Days (which obviously means that I'm doing something wrong). There are many nights around here when the Beast (oh gods, and sometimes the Imp) nurses all night and I find it very hard to function the following day. Give yourself all the slack you can - being a mama is a tough job.
Well, I am only a lurker, but here is my opinion. I would choose the school with 2 classes a week. Yes, it will be very worth it, especially if she loves her classes. It will be very good for her body and her mind. And yes, juggling will be difficult for the things you want to do, but really, isn't everything about your girls at this point in their lives?
1 reply · active 707 weeks ago
Hi there,
I really appreciate you stopping by and weighing in! Do you have children taking any kind of dance or have you been in dance classes? My mother and my ex-husband are both counseling me to do the opposite, so I'm actually glad that you put a different perspective on it. And, yes, you're certainly right about things revolving around the girls anyway. I'm really thinking the extra classes would be a good thing for her.

XO
Julie

This Cosy Life

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My kids are down with their second cold in two weeks, it's been raining since Monday, and yesterday our sump pump died, so our basement is beyond soggy. And of course, every place in town is sold out of sump pumps, or was at 9:30 last night. Yesterday was beyond one of the hunker down days, it was one of the lie-face-down-in-the-mud-and-pray-the-next-bomb-doesn't-hit-you days. Praying today goes better for both of us! Friday is always a happy thought, at least.
I would go for the 2 classes. I can't tell you how much a dance form does for a little girl. Aapart from the muscle and posture benefits there's also discipline & self confidence self reliance. Speaking as a mother of girls who also haappen to have done almost every form of dance, there's nothing that comes close to dance. Did you ever dance yourself? Even when dancing in a group, you realise that you don't disappear as in team sports. And then thereaks the dressing up, of course.......
My daughter has danced since she was 3, and is now almost 14 and on a competitive performing dance team. I think the first year of ballet should just be fun and with all the other things you have to do once a week is fine. Honestly one more day at such a young age will have no real effect on her future dancing. When she is older if she wants to be serious about dance she will have to go more often. My daughter takes ten classes and goes to dance five days a week now...so lots of juggling of activities awaits you in a few years :) Enjoy some peace now and start slowly!

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