Shana Tova! Mah Nah Man Nah!

This one is for A, who loves the original and will play it whenever she can.

Shana Tova from the Trip'n Family everyone!

Tiny Dancers

Though you would never know it by looking at me now, I once was a dancer.

From the age of 2 1/2 to about 12 I took Ballet classes once a week at the local Y-JCC.  I had the same teacher for all those years and her ability to teach little girls to express themselves through music and movement was extraordinary. I loved her, and she used to say that I danced "with my mind." I would visualize my movements and become very wrapped up in the music. The "free dance" part of the class was my favorite.  She gave out light and floaty chiffon scarves and we used these as extensions of ourselves, twirling and flitting around the room.

I even danced in the summers after 4th - 6th grade.  I was lucky enough to attend Usdan  a creative and performing arts camp on Long Island.  There I took Modern Dance, Jazz and Tap, Folk Dance, and more Ballet.  I also explored my interest in singing and musical theater in the Junior Chorus.  I loved it at Usdan, being surrounded by talented kids and artsy teachers. 

For me, tomorrow is going to be a monumental day in the Trip'n household.  You

see, I have two little girls in my house who seem to have inherited their mom's ability to get lost in the music and express themselves through movement. Ever since they "met" June on Little Einsteins we have been witness to Arabesques, Pliés, Grand jetés, and B's famous Reverence (or curtsy) which she offers after accomplishing any feat from putting away her Wormy to saying a word correctly. 

I have been harboring a (not-so) secret desire that my daughters get the chance to try some formal dance classes so they can learn more about rhythm and movement. As a working mom this seemed impossible.  I could barely get it together to get transportation to and from school covered! I certainly wasn't going to add after-school activities into the mix.  

Then we got a notice that the girls' school's parent organization was putting together Friday afternoon classes at our local JCC. A bus would take the girls from school to the JCC and pick up is an hour and a half later. Included in the choices was Ballet and Tap. Now this was possible! I was home on Friday!! I think my girls may have been the first ones registered for the class. Now, the Friday thing is moot, because I am not working, but, what-ev-er!

 My girls are taking dance lessons!! I am so excited!

They have their little bags packed with pink leotards and Ballet slippers, little black dance skirts, and those shiny little Tap shoes with the ribbon ties. (I never had those).  They have been talking about it for weeks and can't wait to start.  I hope they love it.

Ballerina, you must have seen her

 dancing in the sand

And now she's in me, always with me, 

tiny dancer in my hand

Winter Wonderland Workshop

This morning the girls had a Mommy &  Me workshop in their class.  Each child was able to bring a parent to school to see the class in action, do some projects, and schmooze with other mothers. The instructions we received were to bring your daughter(s) to school at 9:30.  We were a bit late (shocking!) due to the snow on the van, parking, and us just being the Trip'n Family. 

First on the agenda was davening, which was very cute. Each girl had a little siddur that they made with the different tefillot and songs that they sing each day.  The girls sat on the shatiach (carpet) where they have ma'agal (circle) time.  The parents formed a circle around the girls and had the choice to sit on the tiny little kindergarten chairs, kneel, or stand. Thank G-d we were late! Those chairs are awful and I was just as happy to stand. 

The girls' Morah is a wonderful, dynamic, and engaging teacher.  Even though she has years of experience, you can tell that having all these adults in the room throws her off her game just a bit.  My heart went out to her as she tried to get through the morning routine and keep the girls focused on impressing us. 

After that there were four stations set up for us to do projects with the girls.  

1. Snowman Station: Each girl got a little bag of Crayola Model Magic  to mold into a snowman.   This stuff has a really interesting texture.  It is not sticky and kind of spongy. Then there were all types of trimmings to decorate and dress him up. Beads, felt hats, mittens, scarves, little sticks for arms, red macaroni for mouths.  B put her macaroni in upside down, because her snowman was sad, and dressed him all in purple. 

2. Cookie Station: Pretty similar to the Snowman Station but with cookie dough and edible fixings.  Instructions were for the girls to do some sort of winter themed creation.  A made a butterfly, carefully considering the placement of each piece of candy and licorice rope.  B made an abstract piece with candy mashed into it.  When I asked her what it was, she said "A smiley face, Mommy. With a  lot of candy." I am sure that is why he was smiling. 

3. Snowflake Station: This one was a parent favorite (right!). On the table were a handful of dice and 9x13 tins of flour with foamie snowflakes hidden in them.  The instructions were for the girls to roll the dice, count the dots, and then sift through the flour to find that many snowflakes in the tin.  Let me tell you, I was REALLY happy that I didn't have to go to work after that!  (You could tell which mommies had to go straight to work, they stood a few feet back from the table.)  My girls really couldn't care about counting, they just wanted their hands in the flour.  

4. Matching Mittens: Each girl got a sheet of card stock with eight mittens on them.  Each mitten had a little snowflake type icon on it, make 4 pairs. The girls were supposed to cut out the mittens, match them, and color them.  Then they would have a cute little memory game to take home.  What was really interesting with my girls was the different ways they tackled this project.  A was more interested in cutting out the mittens and writing her initials on the back of each one. She didn't care about matching them or coloring them. B cut them out in pairs and then colored them so that the mittens matched EXACTLY. She has 4 perfect pairs. 

The there was what A called the 5th station: Refreshments! Chips, pretzels, corn pops, fruit, rugelach...quite the spread. 

I really do love the chance to see the girls in their classroom environment, schmooze with the teachers and other mothers. I can't wait to go back next week for their in class birthday party.

The Report

Okay, so the Parent Teacher Conference wasn't ALL that surprising. Here is the summary:

1. My girls really look alike and sometimes the Morahs call them by the wrong name.

Our reaction: NO, they don't! We also call them by the wrong name all the time. At least she never calls them by the dog's name (we do!)

2. They are VERY close and loving, and the Morah has to make an effort to make sure they go to different work centers and sit separate at Ma'agal (circle time.)

Our reaction: Awww. We didn't realize they love each other so much. It makes us feel so good as parents. Thank G-d she separates them!

3. When one is absent, the other really shines. She recommends splitting them up next year.

Our reaction: Damn! It makes it MUCH harder on us, but if it is best for the girls....

4. A is very verbal.

Our reaction: Really?!

5. B is very, umm, determined, opinionated (insert any nice word for stubborn and bossy)

Our reaction: You don't say?! Actually, we see her as a bit Type A... But how is it affecting her socially?

Morah's answer: B is doing fine socially. She is not so bossy that the other girls don't want to play with her. She is also open to mediation when then Morahs step in.

Our reaction: Baruch Hashem!

6. A is more easy going, has a generous nature (will give things up if someone else wants it)

Our reaction: We see this at home (have for some time) and are trying to teach her siblings not to take advantage.

7. B needs practice writing her name, and give positive encouragement and don't let her become frustrated.

Our reaction: Oh, is she easily frustrated?! No problem, we will work on this.

8. The Morah sees no issues for them academically.

Our reaction: Baruch Hashem!!

We also heard how well-adjusted and sweet they are from the Preschool Director.

The entire experience was humbling, encouraging, and generally painless.

We really do thank Hashem everyday for the multitudes of blessings that he has bestowed on our family. We pray for his goodness and blessing to continue and our children continue to grow and flourish and follow in His ways and the ways of Torah.