A Pleasant Surprise
Every week I sit in the waiting room, holding my breath, gazing intently through the glass at Alexis. I'm always waiting for a disaster, a moment of panic, or signs of general discontentment. It never comes. I don't really understand it, but switching the kid to a different class for dance really was the cure for all that ailed her.
I really wasn't expecting that.
There was a good reason she wasn't originally in that Wednesday class, and the reason was that it's a class for kids much older than her. The whole class change thing only came together because there was another 3-year old in the Saturday session who was also a miserable mess. Her mother and I entered into a pact that we would do what needed to be done, but that we would make sure that our kids stayed together. So, the class is two 3-year olds, and the rest of the kids are 4-6 year olds--with emphasis on the "6" because over half the class could fold Alexis up and shove her in a pants pocket.
I would have thought that being in a room with kids far more coordinated and far more skilled would have bothered Alexis. Nope. She's totally cool with being forever behind as they learn new skills. I suppose part of that has to do with the fact that nearly the entire class calls her, "Baby Alexis" and she hasn't quite reached the age where she finds that to be an insult. Instead, she digs her title and happily lets the bigger kids help her figure out how to do things.
Whatever. She's happy, and that's what matters.
The past few weeks they have started to learn their routine for the little show that they will put on at the end of the semester. It's not a "show" in the traditional sense of the word, but more like they will do the exact same thing they do every week, just with parents on the inside of the viewing windows instead of the outside. The song that has been selected for the tap portion of the festivities is Supercalafrajalisticexpialidocious (I love that spell check is underlining that like "Your moron, that ain't how you spell it," but is all "What? You talking to me?" when I ask for suggestions).
Alexis is totally in love with that song. From the first time she heard it until now, Alexis has been on a mission to not only learn the dance steps that go with the song, but also to learn the lyrics to the song. I am ZERO help with the dance steps. I have explained to Alexis 17 bazillion times that I don't know how to dance, I've never been in a class, and that it's really better for all persons involved if I don't even try to dance. Me and dancing just don't go together. At all.
I guess that all my explaining about my two left feet has convinced Alexis that I am incompetent in all matters Supercalafrajalisticexpialidocious. If I so much as say the word, the kid stares at me, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. It's as if she thinks that it is a Top Secret Song that only kids in dance class are allowed to know about. Of course, that means I have to drop the word every ten seconds.
It's supercalafrajalisticexpialidocious being able to impress your kid with stuff you've known since you were five.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Reader Comments (21)
Oh the sweetness in that photo hurts my teeth!! Dance classes are one of the few things I'll miss about having only boys.
they actually think we were born full-grown, ya know.
which i think is totally supercalafrajalisticexpialidocious.
Ditto to what Jill said!
The downside is that your kids then wonder how long you've been around. I mean, Mary Poppins is quite obviously from another era. Like the Ice Age one. And if we were there when she was, *light bulb moment!*
Love the picture.
Glad to hear the new class is working so well for her! :)
Could she be any cuter???
Hallie
I have a feeling at 3 Alexis already has a very strong personality. She knows what she wants. When she wants it bad enough her determination outweigh anything else, including the fact Mom's not in the know. She's going to go so far in life with that outlook. Somehow I'm not surprised Alexis likes it with the older kids. Skye was an only child as well, she was always more comfortable around either adults or older kids. (Hugs)Indigo
But where's her cutie-patootie tutu? HA!
I love how she can "hang" with the bigger kids.
Ah! Want to really impress her? Try the whole Mary Poppins thing on little Alexis and say it backwards the way they do in the movie even though its not really backwards, just reworded differently. My kids had their jaws dropping to the floor when they were 3~
Dociouscaliexpilisticfragicalirupus!
Haha! So cute. And she is just adorable! You must love watching her in dance class... aww!
Isn't funny how just a little thing can make something so much better?!
Love the photo--we seem to be at a dance class all the time and i never tire of it :)
aww good for her! Amazing shot too.
That photo is AWESOME!
I love that you are throwing that word around all the time. You should totally watch Mary Poppins with her. I love that movie, have a copy, and can't wait until the Pumpkin is just a bit older to watch the movie. I'm thinking 3 is a great age for it!
That photo is the definition of cuteness.
SHE. IS. BEAUTIFUL.
Awwww! I'm with Jill on that whole having only boys thing! I think the naughty little blonde boys might join forces and kill me in my sleep if I put them in leotards!
I LOVE the picture! She is just too cute! I tried to get my kids to watch Mary Poppins . . . it wasn't animated enough for them! I am working hard to fix that!
Dude. I use exclamation points WAY too much. I am going to work on that as well.
Just think, right now, you are the coolest person ever . . . and that will last for a long, long time (at least that's how it should be).
I'm so glad Alexis loves her new class! I can't wait to hear about her first public performance!
I'm so glad that everything is working for the both of you.