More Than Thumbs & Kicks
It's Observation Week at DQ's dance studio.First on the agenda, Tap III.
I feel bad because most of the time when my oldest daughter pulls her tap shoes on, I run for the nearest earplug or ibuprofen bottle. I've developed a tap-tic, because ever since our kitchen, dining, and computer room got laminate flooring, our home has become a regular dance hall.
But in the studio, with a class of talented young ladies and one amazing teacher, the sound is a foot-powered symphony.
Today I welcomed the strong beating of the wood floor and watched in awe.
Tap dancing is one of my favorites to watch. I study everyone's feet and just wish I had an ounce of ability in me.
I dance like Elaine Benes, from Seinfeld, at best.
This is me. Thumbs and kicks.
But my daughter is a dancer. She is committed, she is self-disciplining, and she is good at it!
I love seeing DQ in her element.
Away for a moment from the sibling rivalry, the resisting chores, the sassy tween-atude. She is confident, strong, and capable.
I've always known it, I just love to see it, to feel it, to learn from it.
Tomorrow's class, Hip Hop II.
December 16, 2008 at 4:46 AM
Booze in a brown paper bag go nicely with ear plugs and ibuprofen.
December 16, 2008 at 5:19 AM
I also have no dancing abiltiy, but I can imagine it is amazing to watch! Goosebumps!
December 16, 2008 at 5:34 AM
I took ballet and tap as a child. My daughters are not really into it. My oldest tried it and hated it, my youngest is a "sports" girl. I wish one of them would have taken to tap though, it si really beautiful to watch!
December 16, 2008 at 6:24 AM
That's one of the best "Seinfeld" episodes EVER! It always makes me laugh hysterically. Please tell me you're kidding... I can't picture you dancing like that! =)
December 16, 2008 at 6:30 AM
That's exactly how I feel when I see Bug on the soccer field! I know just what you mean.
December 16, 2008 at 6:55 AM
Those are the type of moments a Mom or Dad lives for!
Great post!
December 16, 2008 at 7:02 AM
I can't dance to save my life. I look like I'm having a seizure.
December 16, 2008 at 8:56 AM
No, there is no way you dance like that! rofl!!! I love Elaine.
December 16, 2008 at 8:56 AM
If you dance like Elaine, I would pee in my pansts!!!
I can't draw stick figures, but my husband is awesome and my kids are pretty artistic... I look at their stuff in awe!
December 16, 2008 at 8:59 AM
My daughter was in tap, I forgot to sign her back up. She loves making noise and she is good at the tap dancing.
December 16, 2008 at 9:07 AM
One of my favorite Seinfeld episodes! Thanks for the memories.
December 16, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Nothing makes me happier than Elaine dancing. Thanks for making my morning.
Yay DQ!! She is amazing!
December 16, 2008 at 9:34 AM
LOL! I have always said the exact same thing about my dancing ability. No believes me until they pull me on the dance floor thinking they will be the ones to break out my inner Beyonce. Ummm...not so much.
December 16, 2008 at 1:04 PM
How great that she loves it, is good at it and has discipline with it.
My mom bought my daughter a pair of tap shoes at a garage sale and she hasn't taken tap yet; but she tries her best to tap away!
December 16, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Tap was always my favorite when I was growing up. I wish I had the discipline to take it again! It's great that your daughter is loving it! My daughter loves it, also.
December 16, 2008 at 3:11 PM
cool, we can do a line dance @ blogher....kick,1,2,3 thumb 1,2,3,...
December 16, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Time to develop your Momatude and get your funk on.
December 16, 2008 at 4:10 PM
You can't possibly be as bad as Elaine!!! My husband is a great dancer and has passed it on to my drama queen...aka middle child.
December 16, 2008 at 5:58 PM
I always wanted to be like Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr.
December 16, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Aw! Tap dancing was always my favorite class! I actually looked into taking an adult class but I didn't go through with it.
December 16, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Love the clip!!! But I'm sure you aren't that bad???Are you??? LOL!
December 16, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Awesome! Isn't it so great to watch your girl do that? Makes a momma proud!
December 16, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Oh fun, my little one just started dance, we get to watch once a month too.
December 17, 2008 at 10:44 AM
My older one has no rhythm at all - but she loves to dance. And has been taking Hip Hop for 3 years...she is actually pretty good at it too!
My little one is as graceful as a swan and has a natural ability...
I could watch them both dance...endlessly. Such wreckless abandon.
I myself was a tapper - for 20 years and can still do it. Love that travelling time step!
December 17, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Glad you were able to enjoy this demonstration.
Thumbs and kicks...it's a good thing your daughter didn't get that from you!
December 17, 2008 at 8:23 PM
I hope to get Sof into some sort of dancing when she is a bit older...and I am more capable of juggling multiple kids extra curricular things. lol
It is great DQ is so into her dance, and so good at it too! :)
December 18, 2008 at 2:31 AM
That's so cool that she's so into dance-I used to be...but sort of dropped it (did many early years of ballet, then took some hip hop/salsa too). It's so much fun! What an inspiring thing too...I definitely feel you-watching people dance so well makes me want to get up and go for it with them too! Haha. But I resist. I can hold a rhythm, but music is more my thing now-LOL.
December 18, 2008 at 3:52 AM
This is beautiful; love your writing... :)
December 18, 2008 at 9:30 PM
I don't know what's worse in that video, Elaine's dancing or the '90's big hair!
I danced for 10 years and still could never get the hang of tap. Kudos to your girl for doing it! )