During the first session, she came this close to quitting about half-way through. You see, she loved her teachers, Aaron and Rachel, and suddenly one day they weren't there anymore and were replaced by a different teacher. No bueno. There was something special about Aaron and Rachel, and Lauren said it just wasn't fun for her anymore. So I didn't force her to go to the final 2 classes of the session.
Before signing her up for the second session in November, I asked whether she wanted to try it again. "Not without Aaron and Rachel", she pouted. So I called up the JCC and asked what happened to her beloved teachers. To my surprise, I was told that Aaron and Rachel would be back for the second session and that they had just missed the last few weeks of the first session due to a pre-planned trip. Um, a little communication to the kids and/or the parents would have been nice. No matter. I excitedly went back to Lauren and informed her they would be teaching the class again. A high pitched squeal was followed by the commandment, "Sign me up, Mama!" So that's what I did.
The session ended last week and her class had a little performance of the number they had been working on (along with a class of kids a bit older). Only issue was the theater at the J was booked for something else, so the only space they had available was the main hallway near the entrance (conveniently known as "Main Street"). So, during the performance there may have been a steady stream of people passing by on their way to the fitness center after work or picking up their kids after school. Not a problem, the Glee kids still did their thing.
Pre-performance, Lauren warmed up and let loose with a little hip-shakin' and spinning.
And hugged it out with some of her school friends as they prepared to show off their mad skills.
With Hannah.
And little Shira (who, yes, is in her kindergarten class and really is a wee thing, although she's got enough mischief in her to be twice as big).
I think there was a whopping 10 parents/siblings there to watch, but other classes from the showcase also served as the audience and we all made enough noise so it sounded like a genuine cheering section (a blessing for the huge open space was that the acoustics really carried).
Lauren proudly presents, "You Can Count on Me":
Lauren told me afterwards that she was subdued in the middle of the song because some boys sitting in front were making fun of her and the other girls. We discussed needing to tune out the naysayers and focus on all the other love in the room - a good life lesson, if you ask me, one you can never learn at too young an age.
With her fabulous instructors, Aaron and Rachel.
If they look familiar to you, it's because they are. About two weeks ago, I went to pick Lauren up from Glee class for the first time. As the kids were being let out of the classroom, she came out with Aaron. "Hi!", he said in a ridiculously bubbly and upbeat voice as he reached for my hand, "I'm Aaron!"
I just stared at him. "Of course you are", I said. "We know you!"
How, you might ask?
Yep, they are the founders and performers in Kids Imagine Nation, who did a show in our home at Lauren's 4th birthday party. As soon as I recognized Aaron and put two and two together, Lauren's eyes got big as saucers and she said, "I thought they looked familiar!" Check out the party here
And their disappearance for a few weeks last session? Their group went to Europe for some performances. I guess teaching enrichment classes to the kids helps pay the bills when they aren't performing. Although Disney needs to hire these two asap (if they haven't already). They positively exude wholesomeness and are such incredible performers that it's enough to make a former synchronized swimmer and Stanford Dollie want to ditch her legal career and pursue the performing arts.
We are so thrilled to have been reunited with Rachel and Aaron (alas, poor Beatz, the third member of the group, is not involved in the Glee class). They are so talented that I'm pinching myself Lauren gets to learn from them every week. Of course, Lauren has now requested they perform at her 6th birthday party. She's requested a Glee party with them. Yes, you heard it right. I have no idea how to create a Glee party, but will be talking to them about it to see what they have to say. Stay tuned.
1/24/12 Update: Scratch the Glee party idea. Lauren still wants Kids Imagine to perform (she sternly told me tonight there is no longer a "Nation" in their group name), but she wants an Imagination party to go along with the concept. Hmm, scratching my head at that one. At least I have a couple of months to figure it all out.
1 comment:
Love it!
Post a Comment