From Little Girl to Little Lady

This month Kristen turned eleven. As the oldest child, she has always shown maturity in certain areas, and viewing her as a young lady was not a push for me. However, I realized when looking back over photos of the past years just how much she has grown, both in physical appearance and behavior. Not that merely reaching eleven has suddenly caused her to turn a corner in any respect, but the number helps cement what I have been witnessing for the past years. K is growing up. Her time at home is growing short, and my influence over her is waning. Oh, I know I have several more years, but I also know just how quickly those years will pass. By the time she is another eleven years older, she could be in love and thinking of marriage. I know I was at 22.

But why dwell on the future when one can enjoy the present? K is a typical eleven-year-old, with the struggles, attitudes, and dreams associated with many girls her age. She still enjoys her American Girl dolls, but she is also getting more interested in more grown-up activities. Skipping the toys this year, her "want" from us for her birthday was a hugglepod, a little reading nook that hangs from her ceiling. For Christmas, she wants a nail set from Jamberry.

We don't always get along as she searches to find her place in the family and in life as a young lady, but we do enjoy watching corny Christmas specials, baking together, and expressing our creativity through random items found at Hobby Lobby. Her room is a constant disaster, but she will help out with laundry, dishes, and little A without being asked. She will bring me my tea or coffee if it is ready when I am in the middle of something else. She enjoys shopping for others in Operation Christmas Child and the various other giving opportunities that arise during this time of year. She hangs at that half-way mark between childhood and adulthood in so many areas of life.

K dreams of dancing in a leading role in the Nutcracker one day. She is a dedicated dancer, spending hours each week developing her skill and technique. She is hoping to be en pointe by next summer, and she will be attending the Denver Guild for the first time this spring. I love watching her dance, and she frequently brings me to tears as I admire my daughter performing for others so beautifully (she usually performs at nursing homes and retirement centers).

I have a feeling that these next two years will bring major changes in our lives as she continues to grow into a little lady, and I feel privileged to be a part of it.

Liturgical Ballet

K's ballet teacher put together a liturgical ballet performance last Saturday. K was the youngest dancer, but she didn't let that intimidate her. Upon arrival, she changed into her dress and dance shoes and waited patiently for her turn.

K's dance was second on the program, and she began by reciting the 23rd Psalm. She then danced to "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" before taking her bow and exiting the stage. Due to a mistake on my part, we missed filming the whole performance, but I do know that I couldn't stop smiling proudly the whole time.

I think it is great that she was able to get up in front of a group of people with no fear. It is a skill that will carry her far in life.

I'm a Ballerina Now

K has been learning a lot in her ballet classes. She is so fun to watch as she learns new steps and dances around the studio. Here is a taste of the end of one of her lessons.



Thanking her teacher with a curtsy

 I didn't get any great action shots, but I am hopeful that future lessons will yield better pictures.

Hula Baby

K participated in her first dance performance last week at a luau for some senior citizens at a rec center. There were several dances, but she only performed one. Her dance included a song that they sang while dancing, entitled "Hula Baby." She wasn't 100% sure of all of the steps, but it was still fun to watch her.



K and some other girls waiting for their turn to dance.



K and Ballet

K started ballet last week. She has been so excited about it, and her clothes arrived the day of her first lesson. The teacher said that she has some natural talent, so I am hoping that she will work hard enough for that to pay off. If she puts some effort into it, she will move up to the next class after only a few weeks.



K waiting for the class to start. This is her "Mom, you are embarrassing me by taking a picture" look.

  

After class