For a year now we've been looking into active activities for Jolene to do. Last summer, she wasn't old enough for anything except gymnastics. We had taken her to a few trial classes at a couple different locations to get a feel for it. While she did love gymnastics, we never were fully thrown into the idea because we basically were paying for an instructor to tell me how to do gymnastics with her instead of her being taught by an instructor.
This summer, she is old enough for dance. I was a little weary of the idea. I just couldn't see Jo following directions (I'm sorry, I couldn't! She's so stubborn!). Although, she DOES love to sing and dance to music, I couldn't picture her following routine. Nonetheless, we attended a trial class.

To my shock and amazement, she did awesome! She followed every direction, did every move and stretch, and did not once try to take over the class. She wasn't even scared to go in the room by herself. Parents are supposed to wait in the lobby and watch via monitor, and I was nervous she'd react to this like she does Nursery at church. But again, she proved me wrong and went running right in with the other kids. I watched on the monitor as she twirled and pointed her toes. She marched and clapped and sat down when instructed to. I know I'm pregnant and hormonal, but I got teary eyed watching her on the monitor. She seemed so grown up. The other moms teased me a bit for being the nervous one not Jo.
They happened to be having a special this month for her age group. Normally it is once a week for 30 minutes and a 5 week session. The promotion was to get 2 for the price of one, so Jolene now has dance twice a week for 5 weeks and a recital at the end. We're very excited. I can't wait to go buy her leotard and shoes.
I'm throwing this picture in there because it is semi-relative. Jolene loves singing. She screams "LA LA LAAAAAA!" and throws her head and arms back (like she's seen on BGT youtube clips of opera singers).
She's such a little ham. Jonathan and I don't know where she gets it from...... ;)