Becoming a Swan

I believe that all parents are amazed by their children.  If this is the case, then I am a typical parent.  Amanda is my middle daughter.  By definition, she fits into the pattern of "middle child syndrome" - she is very shy, very quiet, likes to be forgotten yet craves attention, etc.


However, in trying to find something to get the girls out of the house, I helped Mandy to discover herself.  When Mandy was in Kindergarten, I found myself concerned because I couldn't find her on the stage during the Christmas performance.  It turned out that she was hiding under the risers because she didn't want anyone to see her.  Fast forward three years later, and Mandy was singing and even had a speaking part.  


My Mandy is still painfully shy, but she is incredibly smart.  Sadly, she is also very lazy - she can pull A's without studying - as a teacher, I am infuriated by this, but it is part of who she is.  


Now, with the ballet lessons, Mandy is coming out of her shell.  She only has had the one class, but during tonight's lesson, she was the one with most of the answers, and she remembered all of the positions and names above and beyond the other students.  I am not going to say that she's headed for Kiev, but I am immensely proud that she is speaking in public and taking a chance.  


Here are some pictures of week 2:

I was so happy to see she finally got "ballet fingers."

Yes, one of the areas she needs to work on is stretching and limbering up.

OK, I have to ask, have I mentioned that I'm really proud of her??

Learning a new foot position (again, I really suck at remembering names)

With only two weeks left, Mandy is really excited to keep going.  Ken and I hope that she has finally found something that she can truly enjoy, and that we will be able to continue to foster her in this new love.