It's Embarrassing ...

... But true.  I'm crazy about watching my daughter in ballet class.

Here she is in front of my old school.  

She's got beautiful posture, she concentrates, and that perfect little body mostly does what she wants now.  Well, mostly.  She puts in so much effort that she falls, she runs into walls and barres, but she always always comes up smiling and ready for more.  Balanchine must be smiling down on her.   

She's probably a little strong-willed for ballet, but who knows.  She found my old tiara and knows it was for being "onstage alone."  She wants hers.  Now.   

My hope for her ultimately is that she will find her passion.  If she can get paid for it, so much the better.  With two parents who have made careers out of what they love, she'll have the support she needs to follow her dreams.  I rather think she'll be headed for the stage, though at four she has the world of possibilities ahead.

But for now, just pin that "stage mother" badge on me.  I'll wear it proudly.

Happy New Year!

We've no plans except to rest after a busy few weeks. XX was a bit under the weather last night.  She woke a few times and after midnight, was quite feverish.  I always think I can feel her wasting away, but she's a toughie and woke up feeling great. Still, she's a little more quiet than usual. Louder and more boisterous than anyone else, less than herself.

She spent time yesterday and today writing out her thank you letters.  Today I have to catch up to her!

For some reason, New Year means very little to XX.  She asked this morning about the day and after an explanation, she said, "Oh.  But just tell me, when is Happy CHINESE New Year?  I'm waiting for that."

For the first time in years, we aren't celebrating with Kim and Craig. I know John and I rang in 2000 with a midnight run in Central Park, but I think probably the next year marked the start of spending this holiday with our good friends.

They lived across the street and rather than risk driving that night, we would spend the evening watching countdowns with lobster and champagne in front of the fire.  There were no children in the picture so we stayed up late drinking and eating, knowing we could sleep in the next morning.  Even after they moved away, they made it to our place every end/beginning of the year.

After Kyra joined their family, they were here. When XX arrived, they were here. But now with Liam's arrival, we've moved away and so are missing our usual "family" holiday.  We really missed them, but raised a glass (or three) of champagne to them last night.  And maybe with a new decade we'll start something different, like a summer holiday with all the kids ... by the pool.

I'm looking forward to the coming year.  I think we're due for a peaceful and productive year.  If the past month is any indication, we'll also have lots of family around.  What could be better?