My Tiny Dancer

As someone who had such a strong passion for dance, I think I've looked forward to this day since the day I found out I was having a girl.  I signed my little Huddie up for her first combo class at a local dance studio.  I took her to the mall to get fitted for her first ballet shoes and tap shoes, and pick out her leotards and tutus.  And don't forget the convertible tights that she can slip off her heels for the tumbling part of her class.  

The day finally came for her first class, and I woke up with debilitating muscle spasms in my back and neck.  After a trip to urgent care, I was laid up in the bed the entire rest of the day.  Her first day of dance was going to have to wait another week.  Damn!

Fast forward one week, and time to try again!  No issues for me, but this time, Huddie wasn't feeling quite herself.  After a trip to the doctor, we ensured there were no infections, just a little lingering congestion, so I was not missing this class.  With swim lessons in the morning, and a trip to the doctor's office (with an hour wait), she laid down late to take a little nap, and I had to wake her up for her first dance class.  Yikes!  Those of you with toddlers know I was asking for trouble.  I wanted to let her sleep as long as possible, so when I finally woke her up and went into her room, I was scrambling to pull together her dance bag.  Her special tights were nowhere to be found - clearly I put them somewhere clever that I would not forget.  Finally, we left with not a minute to spare, in tights with no feet, and a baggie of goldfish to eat in the car.  Mom of the year right here folks.

But seriously - I was waiting for this moment:

Notice the cutoff tights and oh, did I mention that I didn't have time to redo her hair after nap following swim lessons this morning? Just throw in a couple cute pink bows!

Notice the cutoff tights and oh, did I mention that I didn't have time to redo her hair after nap following swim lessons this morning? Just throw in a couple cute pink bows!

After the goldfish in the car, she regained her personality and excitement about the dance class where she got be a ballerina princess.  The first part of class was a success.  She found a spot at the barre in her adorable little tap shoes and tapped just like her teacher was showing.  Once that was done, she lost her mind and cried for a solid 20 minutes.  Her teacher (today was a substitute) was a sweetheart and carried her around while she cried so that she could at least participate in a small way, as her teacher danced around the room with her in her arms.  By the end of class, she was back on the floor participating and enjoying herself a little.  Then, class ended with a lollipop and all was right with the world again.  She packed up her little shoes, let me take a couple pictures and headed out.

Proud big brother walking out behind Hudson.  And can I just always remember her sweet shoulders and back in this moment?!?

Proud big brother walking out behind Hudson.  And can I just always remember her sweet shoulders and back in this moment?!?

After we left the studio, I wanted to take a couple pictures to memorialize this day, and Gage insisted on being in the pictures with his little sister.  But then, Gage meltdown.  No sibling lollipops for big brothers who watched the hot mess of 3 year old "dancers" for 45 minutes.

After a ride home to chill out for Gage, I brought Huddie back out front for a couple pictures before I changed her out of her dance clothes and we got on with our evening.

While her first day of dance class wasn't a total success, it also wasn't a total failure.  Here's hoping she wants to try again next week!