This spring, Bethany started her first dance class. She takes Creative Movement at Gotta Dance studio. The class has a pre-ballet focus. The dancers learn many ballet steps and poses but only a little terminology, and their teacher keeps them moving a lot during class. At times, they dance with teddy bears, wave magic wands, blow bubbles and imitate animals. Bethany loves to arabesque! She is also the free spirit in the class, wearing her sparkling red tutu when the other girls prefer pink.

The end-of-the-year dance recital was this weekend. Wearing her recital costume for the first time was exciting. It was the perfect first costume, hot pink and black with more tulle than one little girl should be allowed to have. It was perfect for:

An arabesque…

“Sunshine arms…”

or a leap.

Bethany’s class danced to “Skip To My Lou.” It was quite the experience, and she really stole the show.

When Bethany watched the video the next morning, I asked her a question.

Mommy: Why did you turn around and run to the back of the stage?

Bethany: Because I wanted to see what was making the shadows.

OK. I guess that makes sense. Later, while I was editing the video to share, she told me, “I want to have my dance recital again.” And that, folks, is exactly how I hoped she’d feel after taking classes and performing.