Lots going on

We got up early today for Fynn's hockey tournament. Fortunately this was a local tournament so we didn't need to drive anywhere, but Vic and I did need to be at the rink by 7am for his first game.  Fynn got a goal in this game which he was thrilled about.

Later I attended a celebration of life for a co-worker who's son passed away from cancer at far too young of an age.  It was tragic and my heart breaks for her.  I am reminded to count my blessings.

Later that afternoon it was back to the rink for another game, then the kids had their piano recital, of which we had to leave early to get Sophie to her dance rehearsal.

 This was followed by our final stretch of volunteering for the tournament and finally Vic's work Christmas dinner.

Sophie, dancer

Sophie wrapped up her dance season with the year-end show tonight. She dances 4 days a week. I don't think we will know what to do with ourselves now that it is over for the year.

She did so well.  The poise and confidence she has on stage is lovely to watch.

Year End Dance Show

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy that Sophie's dance is over for the year.  She dances 4 times a week (two times on Monday, once on Thursday and Saturday morning).  Towards the end of the season it was getting stressful and we were already for it to be over. 

It truly was a happy evening as we got to see the culmination of her hard work as she performed during the show.

 

The Weekend Lens

Just a recap of the last few days:

- Friday, Vic and I took the day off and went to Silver Star for ski day #2 of the season. We had a great time with Bryan and Patti.

- Saturday we had our annual Christmas tradition of seeing a live production. The first year, it was the Nutcracker, last year it was a Christmas Story and this year it was The Lion, The Witch and the wardrobe. The kids did great. So happy to be exposing them to theatre.

- Today we had Sophie's Christmas dance program. She was "Electricity" for her Level 2 Jazz class.

The Weekend Lens

On Saturday, Sophie had her Christmas dance program. She performed in the Bats number which was a selection taken from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas. The dance program this year was based on the movie.

Sophie did great and is still wearing her ballet bun today :)

We had some fresh snowfall so we hit the local sledding hill. Lots of fun, which resulted in

some tired kids.

Ready for the final week of work and school before the holidays.

Sophie's year end ballet show

Last Saturday afternoon after I came back from a work planning session I turned the car around again and took Sophie out to her ballet/dance show. There was a 3pm and a 6pm show this year. Personally, I think that is asking a bit much to ask of kids, but c'est la vie. Sophie's performance was number #24 out of 49 acts. It was long!

The positive is that Sophie did well. Her group was Little Red Riding Hood. I have really seen her confidence, poise, and enthusiasm coming through.

Sophie's Ballet Exam Day

Here are some photos of Sophie's ballet exam day. I was not allowed to watch (nor was her teacher) so these are of the prep this morning.

Ballet bun, lacing up her ribbons. No make up, earrings, nail polish.

Results will be here in 6 weeks. So proud of the munchkin who battled strep to make it this morning.

The Weekend Lens

It's been a busy few days.
Vic and I made it up to Silver Star for ski day #8 on Thursday. So happy that we went since the snow was nice and soft and we had a great time.

I erroneously sewed Sophie's ballet ribbons on the wrong way (I had the dull side of the ribbons facing out) so I needed to resew those yesterday. She has been doing a few extra ballet classes in preparation for her exam this Friday. She and Fynn also got interested in sewing when I brought out my sewing machine.

Sophie's activities continue to keep me busy. She had a birthday party today. Tomorrow I am working on getting a study date arranged with her and another little girl in her class to work on the homework their teacher sent home with them due to the teacher's strike.

Weekend Lens

Sophie is still recovering from a bad sore throat so she had a pretty low key day. In spite of not feeling too well, she had her first extra class for her ballet exam preparation. She is taking six additional classes between now and early March each Saturday. They are to prepare her for the I.S.T.D. exam. While the exam process is for fun it is a good way for Sophie to better learn her dance positions and the discipline that goes with preparing for an evaluation.

Fynn had some fun sleigh riding with dad. We got about a foot of snow last night, so they were out snow blowing and shoveling this morning.

wrapping up another season of Ballet

Last night Sophie had her final year end show for ballet. It was two performances (2pm and 6pm) which meant much of our day was centered around being at the rec centre or getting her to the rec centre. It all went well and she did great.

It was neat to see her changing over the past three years since she has been doing dance. Her poise, confidence and dance skills have really come along.

day 12

Sophie's dance program. Her elf costume was for her tap routine and the lady Santa was for ballet. Ah, another season wraps up complete with flowers for the little dancer.

(and I can relax until Jan 10 when it starts up again).

year end dance program

Sophie finished off her year end dance program and she did great. Fitting for a little ballerina she received a bouquet of flowers from mom, dad and Fynn following her final performance. Ahh, no ballet practice for 3 months :)

perfectionism

Each night I lie in bed with Sophie for a few minutes and she tells me about her day. Tonight she started talking about her Tap recital in May and that she was worried about it. I asked Vic to come up so we could talk to her together. She opened up completely and described how she found Tap "hard" and that she was having trouble remembering the steps and "why am I the only one who doesn't know the steps." She then said she would just copy what the other kids are doing.

We tried to help her see reality:
1. She has only been in Tap since January so her expectations are very high for herself.
2. The other kids (there are 3 others) do not know all the steps (I've seen them and they don't).
3. Her teacher nor do we expect her to be perfect or anywhere close to it.
4. She just needs to have fun.

We asked her what she wanted us to do and she suggested I just let the dance head teacher know about her concerns. So, I emailed Carolyn tonight and just explained what was going on. I am sure she will have something reassuring to say that will help Sophie.

I think this book would be helpful, too.

Sophie "Bojangles" Hamilton

Today was parent observation day at Sophie's tap class.

It was a blast. They have redone the studio and the basement level is just for tap -- all black and white. Her teacher is Miss Natasha.

Sophie and one of her longtime daycare friends Hunter who is also a classmate in Kindergarten are two little peas in a pod.

that terrible sinking feeling

Oh, I did a doozy today.

I had a meeting mid afternoon which meant that I couldn't take Sophie to ballet, so Vic did. Normally I would drop her off and pick her up. However, since Vic was dropping her off at ballet, I was out of my routine (and I REALLY count on routines lately).

At 4pm my meeting was wrapping up and I went sauntering back to my office. My phone message light was flashing a message from Vic saying he had dropped Sophie off at 3pm and he was heading back to his office. OMG! It was now 4:05. Ballet ended over 35 minutes ago. All I could imagine was Sophie sitting in the studio crying her eyes out. Her worst fear about being forgotten by mommy completely realized. She will NEVER trust me again. I phone Vic, no answer. I phone daycare asking them if she by chance happened to get dropped off over there (not sure who I was thinking would have dropped her off). I got in my car and raced over to the dance studio.

Inside were the Grade 1 students have their lessons. And there at the back sitting on a stool was Sophie "assisting the teacher". Mrs. Wonnacott who is a dear woman said that Sophie was fine and had been happily helping her out. Her teacher had figured that I had gotten tied up and took Sophie under her wing. Sophie proclaimed that she wants me to be late more often because she gets to watch the older girls use the barre, which is cool. I felt so terrible, I just hugged her and told her how sorry I was. I then walked her over to Pharmasave and bought her a little outfit for her new Webkins. Major guilt.

She seemed to really take it in stride. Later I had my gym class which I let her attend with me (still feeling guilty) and she and Fynn came out to my Canadian Parents for French meeting, which we had to leave a little early from due to a very poopy and stinky diaper on Fynn's part. I didn't think I should subject the poor parents to anymore of his smelliness.

Nice to be home now and relaxing and the day's craziness is just a distant memory.

shall we tap?

Sophie started her tap dance classes this week with her teacher Natasha. It is a small class with only 3 girls. She seems to really have taken to dance - she has ballet on Wednesdays and Tap now on Mondays. I don't know how long this little love affair with the performing arts will last, but for now, it suits us just fine.

Here she is in her new tap shoes. Fynn also wanted to get in on the action. It seems the girls in tap are more into black than pink, so hence the black leotard. Since her shoes will scratch up our floors Vic bought some plywood today and is setting up a little dance area for her in our basement.