Ballet

I couldn’t wait for G to be old enough to start ballet – it had to make them growing up a little easier. Seeing her in ballet shoes and a tutu had to be the ultimate goal right? – Well it was for me…

I had been asking around in groups and Googling for such a long time and finally found a class; we decided to go but unfortunately my high expectations were let down. When we arrived, G was walked away into a room (which I wasn’t allowed to go into) with staff that didn’t even introduce themselves; I didn’t see the owner either. It was all a little strange and verging on uncomfortable. Anyway, ten minutes later, at the very most, a member of staff came up to me and said “she’s crying” I asked her, what badly? And she replied with “yes”- I couldn’t help myself but to screech “well bring her out to me then!” This was the time I got to meet the owner (who seemed pleasant enough to be fair).

I came away undecided whether to try that process again, or keep searching. Anyway, months went by whilst I waited for the new year. I googled some more and found a phone number. I decided to call with the little hope I had left from the first experience and after speaking to the owner Caroline I just knew this was the ONE! I fell in love with her enthusiasm and passion over the phone and couldn’t wait to take G. The best part was that Caroline allows you to stay in the class for as many weeks as you need to get your little one settled in, which is perfect. Being a full time mum this was extremely important to me; surely, as an adult, I can feel all sorts of emotions walking into a new place with new people for the first time, so how could I expect my two year old to be ok with it and not want her mummy to hold her hand until she felt comfortable?

So today was the day! The first ballet class we were going with our mama and daughter besties. When Beth and I arrived with the girlies we were like two kiddies on Christmas morning, we started with trying on the shoes and of course the typical embarrassing mum ‘photoshoot’ of the girls before we all went in. Whilst the photos were being taken, the owner Caroline came out of the studio, said hello and ran us through everything – she was just as lovely in person as she wad over the phone. Anyway, it was time to go in, the girls went and sat on the floor watching the previous class until it was their turn to start. Beth decided to get chocked up and ran out of the room (for anyone that knows me well, knows that if someone gets emotional I do too) so I’m sat there like I complete idiot trying to fight back the tears on my own! Thankfully, Beth returned and we were over it in time for them to start.

Obviously being two and it being there first class it would just go perfectly right? Well the most suited word for it would’ve probably been feral! Arielle and G were running round more than any other toddler, at first it was Arielle, and then G, and then both. There were teddies being thrown, they were quite literally running round the entire room. Then G decided, not even half way through, to shout GOK GOK BREAD (chocolate brioche) so we had to leave the class to get some from the car. After satisfying GG’s chocolate craving, we returned to class and the girls were just as hilarious. Arielle was pulling herself along the floor and G decided to be the delicate and ladylike girlie that she is, and jump straight on top of Arielle – all you could quite literally see was ballet shoes and Tutu!

On a serious note, I couldn’t have been more wowed by the class; the staff, the set up, and the encouragement of the dancing yet the understanding, patience and laid back atmosphere for our feral little girlies (who quite clearly get it from their mamas).

So if anyone is looking for the perfect ballet class then Caroline at Calvella is your lady!

I can’t wait to watch the girlies develop into ballerinas (and gain some self control and join in… well maybe?!… who doesn’t love a feral personality)

Misunderstood Mummy x x x