It may be a little too early to stake this claim, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the label “dance mom” is in my near future.
Not in the cray-cray reality TV sense, of course, LOL! I’m not about to launch sordid plots and stir up drama about costumes and choreography.
It’s just that Connor Claire started taking toddler dance lessons at a local studio last fall, and they had their winter recital on Sunday, and man! — the kid’s a total ham. She took to the stage like a duck to water.
The show had it all — a big auditorium with bright lights, loud music and an announcer with a game show voice. Since this was Coywolf’s very first time on a stage in front of lots of people, El Hub and I thought she might cry or go all “deer in the headlights,” but to our surprise, she was totally into it, and when the lights came up and the music started, she started shaking her hips like she meant business.
Even with the sparkly costumes and the lights and the stage, the program was pretty low-key, which I really liked. There were kids of all ages, shapes and sizes (even boys), and even some adults who also attend grownup dance classes. It wasn’t intensely competitive, and it seemed like everyone was having fun.
Mostly, I just want Connor to do something active that she enjoys, ya know? And I’m so happy that she appeared to like her first experience performing.
It sure went differently than my stage experiences did as a kid. Mine were piano recitals, and they were absolutely terrifying because it was just me, a big-@ss grand piano that sounded louder and scarier than the one at my house, no sheet music (we were required to memorize our pieces), and my hella grumpy piano teacher frowning in the wings. Needless to say, I did not look forward to them, and performing on stage was something merely to endure, not to enjoy.
But this dance show seemed like a lot of fun for the kids, and as long as Connor wants to keep doing them, I’ll be there with glitter and hairspray.
Yeah, I was toting a big-@ss can of Oribe Freestyler Hairspray in my purse, HA HA! I must’ve said “Hairspray and glitter are for special occasion dance performances only, babe. Not for everyday,” about 100 times as I was getting her ready. I have absolutely no plans to “glow up” this child any faster than need be, but since it was a performance, I allowed her a little glitter. She wore a touch of gold Urban Decay Heavy Metal on her lids and peach MAC Dazzleglass.
Thankfully, I was wearing waterproof mascara because I got a little teary… There will hopefully be other recitals and soccer games, and maybe some martial arts tournaments (if El Hub gets his way), but there will never be another “first” recital like this one.
She probably won’t remember any of it at all, but maybe a flash of a memory will get tucked away in her subconscious somewhere so that one day when she needs to draw on some inner strength, she’ll remember a day when she was supported and loved while she wore a sparkly costume and glitter and danced on a stage under a spotlight as her mommy and daddy sat and cheered for her in the middle of the third row.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
It is so important for Connor to find the thing she likes to do and to encourage her to do it. When Zack got so frustrated playing trumpet early on, I suggested he try choir instead. He went for it in 8th grade and has been in love with Choir through all of High School. He plans to continue it as an extra curricular activity in college. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, NJPAC with the NJ Allstate Mixed Chorus and even travelled to Europe. Like you said, just be there with them.
Be well! She is adorable and so is her momma!
Aww, Jane! I can’t believe your baby is going to college soon!
Omg! She is adorable! Glad she’s having so much fun. My daughter did gymnastics for years. I was sad to see it end when she turned 13. She was ready to try something new. I love seeing Connor updates ! 🙂
Hi Donna,
Your daughter is a teen now, right? I remember you mentioning that she was getting her license. Is she driving now?
Finding things they love is so important – my daughter does gymnastics and wants to start musical education as well as ballet next. Oh, and horse back riding and arts and many things more. I insist she does swimming practice, as I want her to be able to stay afloat should she fall into a river someday, ha! She enjoys those too though.
Swimming is definitely an important life skill!
Aw, this is so exciting! Congratulations to Connor and you! Thank you for sharing her recital with us. So glad she had a blast and did well!
Hi Jaclyn,
It was pretty exciting for us! I hope she sticks with it (I think the sparkly costumes are a big motivator, LOL!).
Good for Connor Claire! She looks like a confident little tot!
Hi Rachel,
Dance has definitely helped her! 🙂
Hope you’re having a great week so far.
Oh God, I got teary just reading the last three paragraphs; I’m so happy that you’re raising a strong and independent girl.
Keep going!
You’re so sweet, friend. I often think about you and your mom, and how she has done an amazing job with you! You are SO BRAVE moving to another country! If Connor ever takes that leap, I’ll know that I did OK.
Awww, Karen! I loved this! You guys are doing a great job raising a confident, strong, independent girl!
Max played tee-ball/baseball from the time he was about 3 till he was 17. He tried soccer and actually stuck with it for a few years but he didn’t like it that much so I didn’t make him do it. Also, he did Tae Kwon Do and is a black stripe and can go back anytime he likes to get his black belt.
Thank you Barb! We’re trying. I’m sure she’ll try other things (just like Max did), and hopefully she’ll find a few hobbies that she loves just as much as dance.
So sweet!!!!!!!!! You guys are doing such a good job.
I had my first dance recital when I was four or five. I have glimpses of memories of it. We danced to Glenn Campbell’s Rhinestone Cowboy (we lived in Arizona back then) and I had a red, white and blue sequin costume. So much fun although I do remember being nervous.
Connor’s makeup rocks! I love the subtle glimmer. Plus, you’ve got to have some stage makeup on or people won’t be able to see your features. She’s so cute!
I’m not surprised she was a ham. Didn’t you say she was introducing herself to everbody the first day of preschool?
Is there any video of her performance??? inquires the boy mom.
Aww, thanks Jennifer. I know this time in her life is so fleeting and precious, and that soon enough she won’t need me anymore. I try to cherish all the moments.
And yes, she introduced herself to everyone on that first day, and to this day, when she walks into class, she waves and says hi to all her classmates when we walk in.
I love that it looks like she’s having a good time! And yay glitter! Let me know when she’s ready to do trapeze and hula hoop with me!
Ooh, she does love hula hoops! (Although she hasn’t quite figured them out yet.) I bet you she would be game!
Ha ha Connor’s a spunky little lady! Girlfriend got attitude and confidence. Go baby girl! She looks adorable!
Hi Denise,
Thank you. I try to build her confidence every day. 🙂
Also, I remember you asking the other day to see the BECCA Malika palette in a look. I wore it on Friday! Here’s the pics:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/just-for-fun/saturday-surfing-january-12th-2019/
She looks so into it! OMG — Just too cute for words. I’m glad your exposing here to different experiences.
She looks so cute!
Don’t think Ragnar will take up dancing but martial arts is a definite. He’s already turning somersaults when playing with a toy on a string – maybe you should send El Hub over here because we’re hoping Ragnar will be the reincarnation of Bruce Lee…
Ooh, or maybe he’ll become a famous acrobat?!
All things are possible in the wonderful world of Siamese cats…
I’ll wait for his debut as a soloist in the cat version of Cirque du Soleil! 🙂