The Making of Mikhail

This past week Jack's preschool was closed for Summer break. I didn't realize this until the Thursday prior. Luckily I have parents in town that are always willing to help out and take in one more child to their little home daycare. I felt horrible about springing this on them and about the burden of two kids all day for the next 5 days.

So as a member of the board and former ballet dancer I, of course, recalled that The Tallahassee Ballet had summer camps going on. Thankfully, they had a camp for 4-5 year olds last week from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. every day. I got Dad's blessing and signed Jack up, thinking at least he'd have something physical to do every morning. Then I'd drop him off at their house, he'd eat lunch and take a nap....most of the day would be over by then. I asked my friend Ali if she'd like to sign-up her girls, Abby and Olivia in hopes that would make it easier on Jack to know someone else there.

I tasked Ben with dropping him off on the first day since he had to be into work a little later. Jack was super shy surrounded by so many little girls, in a new environment and to be the only little boy. He clung to Ben's leg and refused to let go or participate in any way. Being the ultimate good sport, Ben took off his shoes and went and sat on the little purple dot with Jack. He pointed his toes, flew to Disney World, and rolled out the pizza dough, put it in the oven and baked the pizza. Jack refused to have anything to do with this nonsense. Meanwhile the executive director, Janet, called me to tell me that Jack wasn't too happy to be there, but how cute it was that Ben was doing everything and trying to encourage Jack {I knew I was going to catch hell for this}.

At that point, Ben really had to leave for work. Jack went into a screaming and crying tantrum and, of course, Ben felt awful to leave him there at ballet camp. Jack apparently laid on the floor crying, then calmed down and just laid there, head buried in his arms. When he started to peer out of his arms and watch the girls dance, Janet found him a crown and sword and gave it to him encouraging him that the girls needed a prince. He scowled back, "No, I don't want to be the prince" and buried his head again. After a while, they took a break for a snack and craft time. I guess by this time, he had started to warm up. I called again to check in and Janet thought if he didn't want to participate after the crafts then he wouldn't have to come back and she'd refund my money for the camp.

Fortunately, he did warm up and every day after he wanted to make sure that we were going to the Ballet company so that he could be a King. And every day that I dropped him off, the girls were excited to see him and would exclaim, "Jack is here, the King is here" {I guess he got promoted from prince}.

At the end of the week, they did a mini performance {I got stuck at work and missed it though, so no pics unfortunately}. Jack got called out to get to his place 3 or 4 times {no one else did} and when the teacher said, "Okay, we need our King". He exclaimed, "No, I"m not a King, I'm an alien!" At least he made it through the week, but I don't know if there is a professional "ballerino" in this little boy's future.

Miss Jillian with a few of the kids after class.

Olivia, Abby and Jack

Abby, with Miss Jillian in the background.

Jack with Olivia in the background.