Here we go again

Saturday passed without Mallory going to a swimming lesson. She acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She was completely indifferent to Chad taking Liam to the pool, and to his wet head coming home, even as she lounged in her pajamas.

So it was with some trepidation that I signed her up this week for a ballet/tap combo class that starts in September. (This is one of those if-you-don't-register-now-then-the-class-will-fill-and-you'll-be-out-of-luck deals. Also, registering before June 1 save us $25.) We sat her down and specifically asked her whether she would like to take a dance class and she said yes, as long as it's a ballerina class. We'll, it's half a ballerina class. It was the only day and time that works for us and even that is pushing it (since it starts at 5), but we'll try it and see.

Last night we were watching Glee and during the Total Eclipse of the Heart number at the end when the kids are all dancing around the ballet studio, Chad scoffed and asked whether Mallory really wouldn't be better off in a gymnastics class (since that is the other activity we had considered for her.) Maybe she would like that too, but we're only going to try one at a time.

Here's the class syllabus from the dance studio's website:

Ballet focus is on pointing and flexing feet, skips, walks and gallops, plies, point and close, bounces, knee lifts, posture and rhythm. Use of imagination is used to show importance of storytelling in dance. Tap focus in on making the proper tap sounds, and learning the terms of the different parts of the foot. The very earliest skills are taught, such as heel steps, toe steps, digs, jump out jump in, and learning the right from the left side of the body.

It sounds pretty darn cute. Maybe a little too cute. Parents have to watch from outside of the studio so I won't have adorable photos to share every week. (That nearly prevented me from signing her up at all... but I digress.)

Anyway, it's a pay-as-you-go program, so so far I have only committed to one month's tuition plus a $35 deposit for the end-of-year recital costume (which I hope they relieve me of if Mallory's quitting ways continue.) So if worst comes to worst, it won't be too painful to exit... having to purchase not just one but TWO pairs of dance shoes notwithstanding.