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Julia is five years old and her second year of ballet class is nearing the end. She has enjoyed so many different types classes and activities in her preschool years, but nothing has come close to her love for her ballet class.
Along with her best friends Madison and Kaleigh, she attends a fabulous class at a real ballet studio just a short walk from our home. What a blessing it has been.
The teacher is as strict as can be and expects nothing but the best from her little ballerinas, and they love her for it. Each little girl listens and follows along without even considering misbehaving.
When they step into that studio, they are ballerinas. And they love it.
When I look back at the photos from her first day in ballet class and I compare it today, I can’t get over how much Julia has grown. I remember her first recital last year and I can’t wait to watch her perform on stage again in a couple of weeks.
(Kaleigh is four, Madison and Julia are five. Yes, Julia is rather tiny for her age.)
So tell me…
Do your little girls love ballet? Did you attend ballet class when you were little?
(Janice and I did not. Apparently, Janice wanted to take ballet, but I was a little tom-boy and wouldn’t have anything to do with it. Since Janice wouldn’t do anything without me, we both missed out on the joy of ballet. And Janice reminds me often.)
Written by Susan, Mom Blogger and co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
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Love Letters says
Suuuuuuuusan, oh how precious is she??? I love it. So sweet.
Nell
Forgetfulone says
I took dance lessons for 9 or 10 years. My daughter took ballet (then added tap and jazz later) for 3 or 4 years. She liked it, and it was good for her, but it wasn’t her trule love, if that makes sense. I think ballet for kids is fabulous!
Real Life Sarah says
I’m a week late seeing this, but how precious! I danced from the age of 5-19: ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and even east Indian dancing. My three girls dance and love it! I even started back last year after 16 years. I strapped the point shoes on, and braved the ballet class with high school/college kids, and a few mamas like me. It is so fun to all be dancing in the same shows! We did Nutcracker and Beauty and the Beast.
Susan says
That’s funny Susie… I sadly also inherited my father’s inability to sing and dance.
Susie's Homemade says
I took classes when I was little however, my girls got their fathers’ left feet. So neither have taken classes.
Amys blah, blah, blogging says
After month’s of persistence with telling me she wanted to be a ballerina, I finally enrolled my 4 year old and she started two weeks ago. We only do one activity at a time in our home so she had to give up gymnastics. She told me yesterday after class that she misses the balance beam. I guess we are headed back to the mats. 🙂
Susan says
Awwww… well, at least she truly enjoys gymnastics.
Liz says
How sweet! My daughter just finished year 1 of ballet/tap last month. She LOVED it.
Susan says
Oh how fun. I wonder if Julia will do other types of dance one day too.
Deb - Mom of 3 Girls says
Oh she looks lovely in her leotard and skirt! 🙂
I took one year of ballet class because my mom made me (she’d always wanted to take dance classes and couldn’t). However at the recital that year, I saw a tap number and fell in love – I then took 4 years of tap and didn’t stop until my teacher moved all the way across town and I being a teenager with (sigh) ‘more important’ things to do, stopped taking lessons. I still kind of miss it though.
My girls would LOVE to take dance classes, but we just can’t afford them. My compromise for Hannah was to let her do cheerleading, which is at least somewhat similar (and cheaper). She loves it, but I know in her heart she still wants dance classes too.
Susan says
How wonderful that you fell in love with tap and were able to enjoy that for so many years.
It is so difficult to pay for classes especially when you have 3! So far it’s been just Julia in classes, but now Sophia will be starting up more activities in the fall too. The bills are tough.
TheAngelForever says
Oh Susan, what gorgeous photos of Julia during ballet. I have two little boys and no experience with this. I was never into ballet or dance and always did a lot of swimming. Enjoy this special time 🙂
Susan says
I have to admit I LOVE having little girls and all the pink that goes with it. When I was little I hated pink and anything like it and I’m so glad I’m getting a chance to enjoy all things girlish now with my little princesses.
Smellyann says
My oldest is 8 and is finishing her 6th year of dance!! I can’t believe it. My 5yo is finishing her second year, too. Gosh, I love my wee ballerinas. I danced as an older kid; I refused to do it when I was little.
Susan says
Awww… so sweet. Isn’t it amazing how fast the time slips away. Thank goodness for photos.
Allison says
I was never in ballet, but I took tap and jazz as a kid. That was before jazz hands were cool.
I love these pics, they are beautiful!
Susan says
So funny. I think it is great for kids to get all types of exposure to dance.
Krista says
I took ballet when I was little, up to the point where we would have had to drive to the next town twice a week and then my mom said no. Funny how a few years later when SHE wanted me to take music lessons it was just fine to drive to that town for them. I suppose music lasts longer in your life, but I still remember that I wanted to continue in ballet…
I have boys so they won’t be doing ballet. My brother did, but I’m sure my hubby won’t let his sons do ballet! Perhaps gymnastics, we’ll see!
Susan says
Awww… so sorry you didn’t get to continue. I am so grateful that this ballet studio is only a few blocks from our home.
Funny about your husband. Yes, I suppose most men don’t really want to enroll their boys in ballet. There are no boys in Julia’s class.
Kelly Lester says
This is SO precious! My youngest (of 3 daughters) is also named Julia and she is 10 now. Dance is her passion and your post and stunning pics reminded me of the sweet ballet classes I took her to, starting when she was a toddler. The lovely teacher inspired her imagination and love of dance. I hope your Julia continues to enjoy her classes. This weekend is our girls’ huge dance recital, complete with many costumes and false eyelashes. We’re very proud of them, and feel blessed that their passions keeps them focused and happy. Beautiful post Susan 🙂
Susan says
Thank you Kelly.
That is so wonderful that your Julia is still enjoying her dancing.
The dance recitals are amazing aren’t they. Our little ballerinas are so lucky to be able to participate in the huge year end recital with all the dancers from the studio. It is a huge deal and an amazing experience for all the girls.
laura says
all 4 of my girls have had a try with it but only my youngest daughter really fell in love. with only 6 years of training, she is an accomplished, competitive level dancer of ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and lyrical styles. and i am the exhausted, but very proud dance mom.
Susan says
Wow. It sounds like you have quite the dancer.
Isn’t it amazing how each of our children are so different from each other. I love it.
Robyn says
My 7-yr old is in ballet and Loving it! She will be performing in Coppelia this weekend. I am so excited.
Susan says
How fun Robyn. I just love watching them on stage.
Michelle says
Susan what a sweet post 🙂 Julia, Madison and Kaleigh are beautiful ballerina’s in the above pictures!!
McKenna adores her ballet class.
Janice I’m sorry that you never got to do ballet..
Susan says
Thanks Michelle.
I love that photo too and I’m so grateful to Janice for taking these photos and for not holding a grudge. LOL