So Emily loves to dance... she has just started her 7th dancing season and despite many efforts on our part to get her involved in other activites, she continues to return to dancing. Em has many natural talents in a variety of areas... flexibility isn't one of them. She's never been overly bendy or flexible and some basic ballet moves (namely the splits) have been entirely out of reach because of her lack of flexibility. Last year her dance teachers started The Split Club -- each month they would allow the girls to "test" for entrance into this illustrious club, which has 3 levels: Bronze, Silver and... you guessed it, Gold. The ability to do one type of split (right, left or center) gets you to the first level and I'm sure you can figure out the advancement structure! Each month saw more and more girls added to the club list (posted prominently in the lobby of the studio) but no Emily... she just couldn't do it no matter how many stretches she did. There are also little rewards at each level -- a mini can of pop or a candy bar or something (yes, lets hype them all up on caffine and sugar!!) and I think the plan was to have a banana split party at the end of the year for the girls at the gold level (not sure if this actually happened)... Emily was far less interested in the rewards than the recognition of having her name on the list. It just didn't happen last season but she wanted it... oh how she wanted it.
Flash forward to this season... on the first night of class there it was... the split club poster... empty and ready for names. Em has been anxious. Last night was supposed to be the first test of the season... ... she stretched and practiced and was really close just before class started - but then it seemed as though maybe they had forgotten because they worked for almost 90 minutes on random ballet technique and general conditioning and still no splits testing. They decided to end with it I guess -- I was busy chatting so I didn't see her actually test but I turned around in time to see a HUGE grin on her little face and her teacher writing down her name... guess she made it! That kid was BEAMING -- so proud of herself... and a pretty proud mom too since I know how hard she's had to work to get there!
Great job Ems!!!! Welcome to The Split Club. Next challenge: Silver level.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
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6 comments:
Good job!! That really requires A LOT of work- especially if you are not naturally flexible. What a dedicated girl.
Congratulations Em!!!!!
You are an amazing little girl and can do anything you set your mind to. We wish you luck with The Splits Club!
Go Emily!! That is definitely a club I would never be able to get in to....
Yeah Emily! You could have your mom and dad practice with you! Just don't let them hurt themselves!
Oh, the splits club. Long ago and far away, I once could have belonged to that elite club...but not so much anymore! You rock Emily! It just goes to show that you can do anything you put your mind (and I guess body) to. Keep up the dancing and maybe one day we'll see you on SYTYCD!
Yeah Emily!!! Great job!
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