Being the best.One of Annabelle's favorite Christmas gifts is clearly her new ballerina costume, complete with tutu. And when she puts it on she also dons her ballerina persona. This evening she went into her bedroom a four year old and came back out again as our own personal prima ballerina. With her head held high, she spoke to me without making eye contact:
Annabelle :: I am the first ballerina. That means I am the best ballerina.
Me :: (wondering where she learned what 'best' means) It does?
Annabelle :: And THAT means that all the other ballerinas are NOT the best because I am first. THAT means that they have to sit down and sing while I dance!
Me :: What will they sing?
Annabelle :: (whispering) They will sing softly.
And then she began to dance in the kitchen, but quickly realized that she needed help to do what she wanted to do. So she solicited Dave to come and assist her. After five minutes of arguing and tears and storming off to her bedroom because he was "doing it wrong" they figuring it out and performed a spectacular duet to some Christmas music playing in the background.
THIS was the move she was trying to orchestrate with Dave. And by the complete seriousness on her face they are doing it perfectly.Dave was clearly enjoying himself while playing ballerina with Annabelle. In the middle of their dance he said, "She really is very graceful! Look at her!" and she promptly did a face plant directly into the floor. Dave leaned down, and said with genuine optimism, "Did you do that on purpose?" Which made me laugh, the idea that Annabelle might have done the perfect face plant.
Not wanting to intrude too much with my camera, the pictures are simultaneously priceless and shoddy...
Here Dave stood in his well practiced Battement Frappe while Annabelle dances in circles around him. I know this picture will make many readers of this blog very happy.With the duet complete, Annabelle continued on to the second part of the program. It was now time for her to join all the "others" in their song:
Annabelle :: First I will sing.
Ballerina is the best!
All the other
ballerinas are NOT the best!
(pause)
Annabelle :: Now, all the other ballerinas sing.
Good we be, good we think.
Dances are arising
Good and truth in my heart!
Good can sing, good can sing!
All the dance you can hear!
After that she posed to have her photograph taken in a few different ballet positions. (Where did she learn all this?) Then she was done as quickly as it all began and bedtime ensued.
