Tiny Dancer

There aren't many cuter things in this world

than 2 and 3 year old girls

dressed in tutus and leotards.

Prancing around in their ballet flats and tap shoes.

Watching themselves twirl in the mirror.

Trying hard to keep up with Miss Paula as she rocks it out

to some rocker version of "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes."

I was nervous about how Kate would react to being in a dance class.

I thought she'd be too shy to stay the whole hour with 10 other girls.

But she blew my expectations out of the water like she always does.

Kate drank it all in. 

She smiled her shy smile that she tried to hide but it shone through.

She fed off of the energy of the other little girls and she did such a 

great job at keeping up. She is always two steps

behind the instructor but I imagine that she will only 

get better with time and practice.

My tiny dancer made her momma proud today.

Not because she danced...

but because she wholeheartedly threw herself into 

something new and she wasn't intimidated.

That's always my fear for Kate. She is very strong-willed and sometimes, her pride

gets in the way of her experiencing things I know she would enjoy.

...and now the lyrics "hold me closer, tiny dancer" 

will forever have significant meaning in my heart.