The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.
Alan Watts
In my mind
I am a Hockey Mom.
At least I always thought I would be a Hockey Mom.
My kids don’t play hockey. Neither of them even skate well. My kids dance. Both of them dance well.
This confuses me. Growing up, I only knew 1 girl that danced and the rest of us played Ringette all winter, Softball all spring and then trained all summer for our winter activity… Ringette. The fact the BOTH my Girls love to dance has been something that I have ignored for the past few years.
Not ignored but I haven’t got involved. I know NOTHING about dance 😳.
This year I changed that. This year HBear wanted to take 2 classes instead of 1 and had to take a Jazz as a discipline to stay in the competitive class of Acro Jazz. So, she ended up in 3 classes. SBean wanted to take Musical Theatre and Acro Jazz just like Big Sis and we suddenly had 5 dance classes a week!
What gives?
I thought to myself, “OK they are taking this more seriously so I should too. I should at least get to know their choice sport/activity.” To be honest at the time I definitely thought activity over sport.
So I signed up for Adult Jazz. WTF?
WOW. I learned SO many things in class…
1. I am a TERRIBLE dancer! This surprised me as I always thought I was amazing and with some lessons I would be like freaking Ginger Rogers! NOPE 😂!
2. I’m a class clown. I deflect my lack of confidence with stupid jokes. The joke was on me though because instead of pretending to be Fred Flinstone I should have actually learned how to do the damn pirouette!
3. Dancing is no joke! I burned more calories in a 60 minute class than running 5 kms!
4. Dancing is a team sport. Anyone that watches behind the curtain knows that these Girls build friendships and a team dynamic and anyone can definitely see that dancing is NOT an individual sport. #Teamwork
5. Although this was our 6th dance recital… this was my 1st REAL Dance Recital Experience. This was the 1st time I was in the wings of the stage, stood in the cave of the stage, stepped foot on to the stage and did quick changes in the deep of the backstage. It was a full view of what is happening. It is NOTHING like sitting in the audience waiting for our kids to dance their 1 dance.
6. I was stupid sick to my stomach thinking about going up there in front of hundreds of people and messing up. I wanted to call in sick. I wanted to run away. I wondered why the Girls like performing on stage???? The day of the 1st show was horrible. I was shaking and worried. I had been practicing like crazy but had yet to do it without errors. The 1st show was sold out and my family was there. When the lights came on and I saw the audience I went cold. Buuuuut I did it. AND I did it without errors! I didn’t smile and I didn’t have fun but I did it. I was so proud of myself when I got off the stage. I felt empowered and happy that I didn’t let myself off the hook 💛.
7. Second time’s the charm. An hour after the 1st show, we did it all again! Changing the Girl’s hairstyles for EVERY dance, changing lipstick, tights and costumes for 5 dances AND having to rehearse, get ready and do my OWN dance was… challenging LOL But I love a challenge! By the 2nd show we were all smiling and I even did my dance with a shaky smile! HBear helped introduce our dance so she was in the cave watching and every time I looked up, I looked at her and she made funny faces to get me to smile. It worked 😁!
8. By volunteering for 2 shows, joining a dance class and helping in the back I made so many new friends! All my worry about crazy Dance Moms was for not! I met FUNNY, smart, talented, and crazy busy but still organized Moms. It is a community and a dance family and I had a riot with them all 💃🏻!
9. By the 3rd show I was a Pro. Quick changes were even quicker and I was more prepared. Actually, I was prepared ALL weekend! I had a gigantic dance bag that was my end all be all PLUS a garment bag with all tights, bodysuits, and accessories! I think getting there an hour early was key! Up until this weekend I had no idea what we were missing by showing up 10 minutes before showtime! Before I dropped off my Dancers in the change rooms and said goodbye. This time HBear was able to join the finale… because we were there for rehearsal. We got good spots in the dressing rooms… because we were there first. We weren’t rushed and therefore didn’t rip any pantyhose or hairnets leaving us stressed out. The 3rd show was also the show were I… had fun! I got it! I understood! It was an amazing feeling to just dance and enjoy myself in the lights with red lips, a cool hat and all the people cheering us on 😍!
10. Most of all I learned that I am DEFINITELY a full blown Crazy ass, Dancing Dance Mom… and that makes my 💛 happier than I ever thought possible… huh? Would you look at that!
I didn’t put out a post last week because… I was dancing LOL BUT we DID put out a very special Episode with my Sis and BIL as guests while we were in Cochrane visiting the FamJam last week! Check out Episode 66: May Two Four HERE.
Ninja and I put out our latest Episode #67: today and we recap our May Long, Dance weekend and how to make salsa Check it out HERE!
On Saturday the Husband of our Pretty Friends Couple celebrated his birthday with a BBQ in their beachfront backyard! Although we had just finished 2 performances we of course went to help him celebrate! While I was at dance, Ninja made our “bring a side dish” and it was AWESOME! It is my new favourite side for the summer! It can go on tacos, with tortilla chips, on fish or even chicken! It can be a topping or just eat it as a salad! So good!!!!
2 cup strawberries, diced 2 mangoes, diced 2 avocados, diced 1/4-1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and diced 3/4 cup cilantro, chopped 1 large clove garlic, chopped finely 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper Juice from 1/2 Lime
Add the strawberries, mango, avocado, garlic, jalapeño and cilantro to a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lime juice and stir gently to combine. Adjust heat by adding more jalapeño if needed. Serve with tortilla chips or over grilled chicken or on it’s own!
So much has happened in the last 2 weeks! HBear finished Gifted, the Girls continued tennis lessons and HBear earned a High Silver in the Great Canadian Dance Competition!
Super early Saturday morning we hopped in the van and drove to Cochrane to visit my Sis, BIL, SweetPea and CabbagePatch! It was a great drive and we got there early enough to enjoy the afternoon and evening with them!
On Sunday we went to Granary Road! It was a fantastic experience! Such a cool place with different types of learning and fun activities. Plus the market and food options are unreal! I recommend visiting if you are in the area, you won’t be disappointed!
Something that made this day even more special was that we got to hang out with our podcasting friends from Calgary our FullofFibreBesties!!! It was our first time meeting but we felt like we have known each other forever! All the families enjoyed each other and the day so much! It was easy and natural and I am excited to do it again soon!
After dinner we went to my Cousin’s new house to check it out and then out for drinks with Dad and Sis!
We took it easy our last day and enjoyed homemade BIL Bagels and delicious coffee curtesy of our FoFBesties on the deck in the morning sun! The kids played outside, Cousin stopped by with her Hubby and Little Guy for a quick visit and Sis introduced Ninja and HBear to 80 Day Obsession!
Before bed HBear organized a dance party with invitations, games, and refreshments for the little ones!
Hugs for an early morning sendoff. We had to get home for our last dance classes before recital weekend!
The Girls had tennis the next day and then right after HBear was invited by her friend to go check out the Black Widow Spinners, the local skipping team. She loved it!!! Why does she like everything she tries?!?!?!?!
The next morning HBear had a 3km cross country run! She placed 1 better than last year! Very proud Mama!
Swim time at the BBQ on Saturday night! Still in full dance makeup 😂.
Ninja showed all my friends the video he took of my dance routine 😂!
This is 1 weekend I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. I am grateful for every second of this amazing whirlwind of a weekend. I have to say I am so happy I got out of comfort zone and tried something totally new to me 💛. I am so happy, I made up a NEW quote…
Don’t hang back in the wings!
Get out there, centre stage and Dance like EVERYONE is watching!
Having Multiple Sclerosis is like trying to drive a car with a broken steering wheel and faulty brakes. You never know what’s going to happen next — Jamie-Lynn Sigler
