Last week I wrote about Nathaniel's possible future as a hockey player. It has got me thinking about my role as a parent in helping my children realize their dreams. As a parent you want your children to find something that they enjoy, something that fulfills and challenges them. You hope that they are brave to pursue their dreams. And even more, you hope that as a parent you have the same level of commitment to guide your children on the paths they choose for themselves. No matter what. Now I know I have the tendency to think way too far into the future. I'm already thinking and preparing for the day Abigail will leave her current school and the challenges we will face with the public vs. private school decision. I know people...she is only 7. Back to the issue at hand. Last weekend was Abigail's first dance recital. She was excited for her role as a talking flower in the Alice in Wonderland production. She tends to get very nervous about performing in front of an audience so I wasn't sure what to expect during her first show. But she handled it like a pro. She was confident and focused. She knew her dance moves and was so pleased with herself when it was finished. Andrew and I were very proud. (It is a good thing that the audience is dark or else people would have seen the tears in my eyes.) After her performance, Abigail was able to sit with us to watch the older girls do their dances. There was ballet, modern and some jazz. Abigail was taken by it all. It affirmed for her that she wanted to register for next September. As I watched the older girls dance, I had to think about their parents sitting watching them. The commitment of time and money throughout the many years of rehearsals, performances and competitions. I couldn't help but think of Abigail on the stage in 5-8 years. Poised, confident, happy. Perhaps dance won't be her calling. But I was excited for her if this is the path she chooses.
This picture is from the day of the performance.
We weren't allowed to take photos during the performance itself, so I took all of the pictures on stage during the dress rehearsal.
This is the rest of her class. Excuse the head in the front row.
Last week I wrote about Nathaniel's possible future as a hockey player. It has got me thinking about my role as a parent in helping my children realize their dreams. As a parent you want your children to find something that they enjoy, something that fulfills and challenges them. You hope that they are brave to pursue their dreams. And even more, you hope that as a parent you have the same level of commitment to guide your children on the paths they choose for themselves. No matter what. Now I know I have the tendency to think way too far into the future. I'm already thinking and preparing for the day Abigail will leave her current school and the challenges we will face with the public vs. private school decision. I know people...she is only 7. Back to the issue at hand. Last weekend was Abigail's first dance recital. She was excited for her role as a talking flower in the Alice in Wonderland production. She tends to get very nervous about performing in front of an audience so I wasn't sure what to expect during her first show. But she handled it like a pro. She was confident and focused. She knew her dance moves and was so pleased with herself when it was finished. Andrew and I were very proud. (It is a good thing that the audience is dark or else people would have seen the tears in my eyes.) After her performance, Abigail was able to sit with us to watch the older girls do their dances. There was ballet, modern and some jazz. Abigail was taken by it all. It affirmed for her that she wanted to register for next September. As I watched the older girls dance, I had to think about their parents sitting watching them. The commitment of time and money throughout the many years of rehearsals, performances and competitions. I couldn't help but think of Abigail on the stage in 5-8 years. Poised, confident, happy. Perhaps dance won't be her calling. But I was excited for her if this is the path she chooses.
This picture is from the day of the performance.
We weren't allowed to take photos during the performance itself, so I took all of the pictures on stage during the dress rehearsal.
This is the rest of her class. Excuse the head in the front row.
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