27 July, 2007

Woohoo, it is Friday!

This "Super mom" is "super" tired!

Today is the last day of ballet camp. The last day I will leap tall buildings and race against time to ensure the Diva's timely arrival at ballet camp and then back at day camp. I am so very excited.

On Wednesday I ran into a coworker in the hall as I returned from the ballet camp drop-off.
"The Things you do..."

Yes, the things I do for this little girl... sometimes even I am mystified. The Diva can look back at her life and my actions and know that, regardless of what happens, I supported her dreams. However, that is not why I do what I do... so that she can appreciate it later or because it makes me look like a great mom.

I do it all simply because the Diva loves to dance.

And it is honestly that simple. This is not my dream, my dream for her, or something that I push. Dancing is her dream, her passion. She says "ballet is in my heart." That, well, is enough reason for me to do what I can to ensure that she can work to make her dream a reality.

Camp has been difficult on both of us. Not only am I exhausted, hungry (being Super mom is difficult) and frustrated with my lack of time doing work - the Diva is tired. By the time we arrive home, we are both somewhat cranky!

Daddy asked if camp was "required."

I thought that this was an interesting question. Camp is not required, but encouraged. The class above hers could not start point in the fall if they did not attend summer camp. Yesterday one of them proudly displayed her first pair of point shoes. She was so excited. But for the Diva, this camp is not required.

naturally, one suggests that if the camp were not required, why exhaust ourselves to the extent that we have? Why didn't I just say no due to work and timing of the camp etc?

Even though the camp was not required, it is highly suggested that the dancers enroll. But, even if it weren't highly suggested, the Diva would want to do it.

"I wish camp would last all July..."

Camp was not a requirement, exactly but for the Diva it was a must.

Yes, I am exhausted. I have stacks of work awaiting my attention. I have had to put up with a cranky kid all week - who has had to put up with a cranky mom.

Yet, to hear her talk, this camp was the best part of her summer.

She has learned new steps, new stretches, and increased her musicality. She can now spell complicated French ballet terms off the top of her head and has proven herself to the teacher. She has accepted instruction and praise.

"Ms. L said I have worked really hard this week!"

Her confidence as a dancer has increased greatly just in the last four days. She is starting to believe, once again, that she is good.

Work can wait. I can suffer through the heat and humidity. We can deal with short tempers and feeling tired in the morning. This week, this summer camp, has been worth every second.

(oh yes, I learned something too - dancers eat special foods which do not include cheese or yogurt - I wish Ms L had said that dancers eat lots of vegetables as then I might have been able to get the Diva to eat hers!)

17 comments:

TAG said...

You are indeed Super Mom. Not for the leaping of tall buildings. Not for organizing the unorganizable. Not for putting up with cranky diva (possibly cranky co-workers who don't understand your 24-7 devotion to work?).

No, I say you have earned the title Super Mom because you recognize that allowing and encouraging your children to follow their dreams is one of the most important things you'll ever do.

Good job Mom.

TAG

Scotty said...

I supported her dreams

Very very important, I think. I can not think of a time when my parents did not support me with anything.

And she will remember. I distinctly remember them shuttling me from school to practice to eat to practice to school... :)

JustRun said...

In a lot of ways obvious in your post, ballet camp was totally required.

Good for you!

Beth said...

It's so great that you support her dreams! Even if it means sacrificing on your part.
I had never thought about it, but I guess it makes sense that dancers are on special diets. I hope that perfectly toasted bagels are acceptable foods!

Beth said...

It's so great that you support her dreams! Even if it means sacrificing on your part.
I had never thought about it, but I guess it makes sense that dancers are on special diets. I hope that perfectly toasted bagels are acceptable foods!

Aaron said...

Excellent!

What about cottage cheese? Quite possibly one of the most perfectly designed foods for growing muscles!

The Exception said...

TAG - Thanks!

Scotty - I can't imagine anything else. It is natural to do what I can to support her dreams - I don't think about it.

Just Run - Oh, for her it is a requirement! She has her last day of assisting the teacher with the tiny dancers tomorrow.

Beth - I can see that they eat differently as professional dancers don't weigh much at all. I was surprised to hear the words come out of my 7 year old's mouth.

A piece of toast is a good choice for breakfast, her teacher said - so I think a bagel will work!

2xA - Cottage Cheese - hum, it is white, it doesn't have much flavor, she used to like it... it might be something to try!

Bre said...

It's so so so important to have someone to support you like that - and the Diva will surely recognize it! When I graduated college, vastly changed my career path, and moved far far away from home my parents did nothing but support me. That has meant more to me than I can possibly say!

The Exception said...

Bre - I could not agree more. My parents supported me even when they probably thought this and that move were absolutely crazy. They never said anything negative about my ideas - in stead, they said "let's go" and off I went.

Support from those who love you is key. Sometimes that is all it takes to get one past the doubts that might raise their wicked little heads!

Memphis said...

I used to be able to dance. When I was a little kid. But then my parents told me I was white and all my rhythm just disappeared. I think you are probably a better mom than I had.

Carrie said...

AW - ballet camp? The Diva is one lucky little girl to have such a supportive and fabulous mom such as yourself!

PS love the 'new' look!

Anonymous said...

Ah but camp is required, it is very required. It makes her happy and puts stars in her eyes...it is required, yes.
You are an amazing mom for supporting her, helping her follow her dreams and going out of your way to make her happy. I wish more children had a mom like you! You should have a medal!

Steph said...

You're a good mom and the diva will appreciate it all one day.

Have the T-shirt said...

Aw yes, the sacrifices we willingly make for our kids. I have that T-shirt.

The Diva will so appreciate all you've done for her. She's a very lucky girl!

My ex never understood why scouting or soccer or football were 'required' for our boys. Had he been the custodial parent, our kids would have had no one supporting their dreams.

It's just as well I have two left feet if yogurt isn't allowed on a dancer's diet. I can't live without yogurt!

Anonymous said...

I do a special dance called the dance of the bad eater. I like my ice cream

Princess Banter said...

Your daughter's very lucky to have parents like you :) Though I appreciated the fact that my mum had a career whilst raising us, I wished back then that she or my dad would've taken me to one of my piano lessons instead of the maid or my granny. But of course, they knew their duties and have always attended my recitals :) I would never have changed the way I was raised... but I do wonder how it was if my mum was more hands-on with us with the little details...

The Exception said...

Steve - Parents can say things that change their kids lives forever. Who knows, you could have been a dance genius!

Carrie - Good to see you are around and okay.

Ruby - Yes, it puts stars in her eyes and that made all the work worth it.

T-shirt - I am glad that your boys had you. Dreams are so fragile - it helps to have someone believe in them with you.

Doozie - Now that is my kind of dancing!

Princess - I hated my parents coming to everything when I was young. I suppose that I am glad that they were there now, but... I am not too sure about that. I am curious to see what happens when she gets a bit older. Right now I HAVE to watch performances while other mothers HAVE to be backstage. We do as our daughters like.