Yes, I am a dance mom!

When I put Kamdyn in dance a few years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into.  I never took dance classes as a child (I must have just been born with the sweet moves I have!), and I was NOT a girly girl.  Basically, I was just looking for some different activities to get Kam into.  I looked around the internet for some studios that were close and found one that seemed nice.  I called and asked the typical questions and had Kamdyn enrolled in no time.  After about a month, the owner told me that Kam should try out for company.  I, having no dance background, had absolutely no idea what that meant, but Carrie seemed to think Kam would love it.  Boy howdy, was I in for a surprise!!

I soon realized what this company thing was all about.  We attended the first meeting and I met some of the moms who assured me that they would help me with anything I needed.  Kam started practicing with her groups every Saturday morning, and she absolutely loved it.  I was then told that I needed to attend a hair and makeup class to learn how to do everything for competition days.  Thank God that they did this.  I would have been lost.  I learned how to do double buns and put makeup (that was more expensive than any of mine) on my daughter.  Again, she thought this was awesome.  Then, I learned about rhinestones.  I was given my first pattern that I had to put on Kam's costume.  My first question to the other moms…."So, how do you put the rhinestones on the costume?"  They told me that I needed to go to hobby lobby and buy some E6000 glue and to use that.  "So, I put each rhinestone on one at a time?"I was baffled.  Luckily, the patterns that year were not too difficult…and I only had two costumes to do.  I survived my rookie season of being a dance mom unscathed, and Kam loved dance more than ever.  We quickly realized that this is something that Kam was really good at.

The next year, Kam was in five group dances and had her first solo.  Clearly, this year was going to be more intense than the year before.  There were more practices and many more rhinestones.  The first competition came and it was about time for Kam to perform her solo on the big stage for the very first time.  I was definitely more nervous than she was.  She made me stay backstage while she danced.  She was amazing.  When she came off the stage and hugged me, I nearly cried.  She had worked so hard and just danced her little heart out in front of tons of people all by herself.  At six, that is something I could never have done.  She was hooked.  Watching her on stage is one of my favorite things to do.  She truly loves what she is doing and works so hard at it.

Unfortunately, not everyone sees all the positives that come from dance.  Kam is now in her third year on company, and she has informed me that she never wants to stop dancing.  She has to practice every weekend and takes five classes during the week.  I hear comments about how much time she spends on dance all the time.  What these people don't understand is that this is Kamdyn's choice.  When it is time to leave the studio, she doesn't want to leave.  When we are home she wants to dance.  The people at the studio have become our second family.  I understand that she is only seven, but I tell her if she ever gets tired or wants to dance less, that all she has to do is tell me.  She always laughs when I tell her this and says that will never happen.  In only three years, Kam has learned that if you want something, you have to work at it.  She is extremely dedicated and absolutely adores all of her dance teachers and the other dancers at the studio.  Her work ethic is unbelievable, especially considering she is only seven.  On top of everything, she is doing tons of physical activity.  She is solid muscle.

I am so glad that I put Kamdyn in dance and am so lucky to have found a studio that truly cares for each and every one of the dancers.  All the moms are always helping each other out (thank God, because I can't sew)!  We are so glad we found this studio and started Kam in an activity that has helped her become the confident little girl that she is. I still have a lot to learn about being a dance mom :), but I have a feeling that I have many years ahead of me to work on it!