I would believe only in a God that knows how to dance - Friedrich Nietzsche

When Isabelle enrolled in her first ballet class this winter I don't know who was most excited: Belle, me or her Aunts. She entered the Creative Movement class a few months before she was technically 3 years old and eligible, but with some smooth talk by her parents and a brief tour of the school, she became the youngest student at the Performing Arts Conservatory of Texas. For the past several months we have enjoyed learning the basics of ballet again and watching Isabelle's little passion blossom.

Tonight was her "Parent Observation Class" and Ben rearranged his travel schedule and Grammie came into town so they could both be in attendance. Isabelle was thrilled to have a "performance" although she was a little anxious as well. After laying in her bed at nap time for quite a while she called to me and said I don't know what I am going to say when I get on stage! I reassured her that she did not have a speaking part and laughed to myself that she had such a concern.

Her class danced to "You've Got A Friend In Me" however the little girls spent most of their show time looking for and waving to their parents. Isabelle is the smallest in the class by nearly a foot and all of the other girls tend to her and speak to her like she is so tiny. During a set of chasses one of the other girls yelled, come on little one, you can do it! Isabelle never minded being the slowest to cross the floor or the last to reach the mirror and she has learned so much. Miss Ashley has taught all of the names of the steps as well as the movements and Belle can perform by name a plie, an arabesque, tendu, releve and so on all in 1st, 2nd and 3rd position.

After all of her hard dancing this evening, Belle celebrated with a "party" out to dinner and for ice-cream at home. We have had a wonderful first dancing experience and can't wait to strap on our ballet shoes again in the fall.