All of the pictures and video clips are from Anne and Dean's most recent dance showcase. I could only post short clips because Blogger only allows 100 megabyte films.
This is going to be mainly a reflections post with a bit of radiance thrown in for good measure. My kids are growing up by leaps and bounds. I am so blessed and thankful to be able to be at home with them, watching them grow to become these incredible people. Not only am I happy to be so blessed, but the older they get, the more I realize that my role as a parent is even more complicated than when they were babes. Babies are easy. They eat, sleep, and are adorable. But as they grow and go out into the world, they experience many dangers. Of course, I cannot protect them from every possible danger, but I can decrease the bad influences by keeping very close tabs on the people and activities that are influencing them. I am fully aware that every activity they do must be considered carefully to determine if it is useful, safe, and providing them necessary skills to become the people they want to be. Every moment is precious and I want to make sure that nothing is wasted. However, even more importantly, I want to make sure they are doing things that are truly giving them wings to fly into their futures as radiant people.
Anne did a five minute solo that she choreographed herself.
I wish I could show the entire dance. She nailed it!
Dance has certainly proven to be one of the activities that is having a profoundly positive influence on my kids' lives. It makes them radiantly happy.
Most of these girls have only been dancing with pointe shoes for a few months.
I sometimes hear other mothers complain about the time and money it takes to raise kids. I just don't get it. I don't mind investing in them for a moment. What more important mission could I spend my days on than guiding my kids on the path to adulthood?
Dean is the boy in the red shirt with gold tie. He's come a long way with physical therapy!
I watched the videos on face book and they were delightful! Your daughter is incredibly graceful and beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteAs a former dance mom, I love to see all the dance pictures and videos. Anne is just lovely. And I agree, a child is not simply another expense to list out, just as I am not an expense.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written!I have realized the same; parenting when they are older is so much more brainy and seems like more work. When they were babies it was just consistency and exhaustion, where with the teens it is talks, discussions, and conflicts that grow me a ton too. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
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