My Little Ballerina

I wasn't exactly sure how things were going to go. I knew that she was excited. I knew that she was a little worried about the unknown. I knew she could do it...and I also knew she might crumble...and I didn't care either way. She's come so far in this year. It's been such a blessing. She's become more confident, more independent.
The first time I took her to ballet class, I wasn't even sure she'd make it through the hour. Two months later, she was filling the room with her own energy and happiness and pride. I'd say this could be split 50/50. It was 50% her bravery and willingness to keep pushing herself, listening to the part of her that was saying she was excited, rather than the part of her shouting she was scared. And, it was 50% her amazing teacher, who is pretty much God's gift to little ballerinas, otherwise known as Ms. Sandra. Her patience and kindness...and her unwavering confidence in Hailey...taught us all what this little one is made of.
I learned that, not only does she love to dance, and love all things about her ballet class, but she loves to be a leader. She loves to be a follower. She loves to be a team member. And she loves to make new friends.
A few months ago, I took Hailey to a local dance competition, where the "big girls" were competing. She watched in awe as they floated across the stage. She talked and talked about their hair, and their shoes, and their jumps, and their glitter, and their smiles, and most importantly, the way they shake their hips.
Ms. Sandra took her back stage. She saw the big girls. She saw the lights. She saw the audience. She wanted to do it herself.
So, while I didn't "care" whether she danced today or not (for my own sake), because I was so proud of her for completing this year for so many other reasons, a performance would be icing (especially for her sake). A performance would mean more confidence, and a rightful sense of pride and accomplishment. She really wanted to do it.
Well folks, she gave us icing...and then some. She smiled. She knew her moves. As she told me afterwards, "we were all just happy girls." And. Anyone who's ever been to a three-year-old's ballet recital, knows full well that in each dance, something funny happens. Someone does her own dance, or knows the whole thing and tells the other girls what to do, or makes silly faces at the audience. Today, Hailey owned that moment. After circling the floor with her friends, as it was time to let go of hands, her little partner wasn't budging. She very willfully shook hands so hard she broke the hold...as if she were trying to fling glue across the stage. She was determined to get it right. She was bold...and I loved that. She also got a chuckle from the audience. Then, she was the girl of all the girls at the end of curtain call to take flowers to the studio owner, who also happens to be my lifelong dance teacher / second mom...so cool.
As I walked down the stairs to the holding area after the show, I felt so proud to be the mommy of such an incredible little being...someone who is learning to be all her own. I love being her mommy. I love that she is able to dance among the same people I danced among, in a safe, loving environment. I love that it's something we can share for now. I love the things she's proven to herself.

This was an incredible day for my baby girl. I couldn't be happier for her. I hope her eyes will sparkle this way forever.