What to Do, What to Do?

Yes, I am a proud mama. I think that both Nature Girl and Little Mama have different gifts and strengths. NG is so graceful. Little Mama is very flexible. Both girls opted out of ballet this year and I was OK with that. They didn't enjoy it as much as tumbling and honestly the real reason they had to choose was that every afternoon I didn't want to drive around town bringing them to various after school activities.

That worked for a semester. But, then we went to the Nutcracker and both girls really enjoyed it. It started me thinking about Nature Girl's gracefulness. I thought it needed to be explored. So, I contacted the ballet company about auditions. They recommended a class for girls interested in auditioning. I signed NG up (against her will I might add.) The thought process was, we'll give it a try, a real try. If she doesn't like it, if I don't like it, if she doesn't cut it, then we let it go by the wayside. But, I felt, feel, it is important to at least explore the avenue.

A little while after that (or maybe even before that) Little Mama's tumbling coach approached me about her potential for the competitive gymnastics team. Wow, so very cool!! It seems LM is a little bit of a natural gymnast. Weeks went by and no one from the gym mentioned any more about it. So, I made plans accordingly. Signed both girls up for tumbling (horrible times I might add) and signed NG up for ballet class. It was going to be a busy semester but we would get through it. I figured by the end of this up coming semester we would know if NG had what it takes to be in the Nutcracker.

Yesterday I get a call from the gym. LM has been offered a spot on their Level 2 competitive team. Yea!!! Sooo exciting!! This is the deal: she will train the spring and summer and compete in the fall, she will be at the gym Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-6:30, no breaks like they do for the recreational side of tumbling, in the fall she will compete approximately every other weekend mostly in the area although she said there might be overnight trips and some Sundays. Of course, being a mama, I am thrilled for LM. Nobody deserve recognition more for a great "can do" attitude and willingness to try.

Now, what to do, what to do? As it stand right now we will be at the gym Monday through Thursday and NG will have ballet on Thurs. Absolutely, totally not what I wanted to get into. (We will be able to eat dinner together every night.) But what is a mother to do? I think both girls should have an opportunity to explore their gifts. But, I don't want those things to be a priority over family.

Daddy and I chatted about it last night. He says whatever I want to do is fine with him. He will help when he can but I know that isn't something I can count on because things come up. I will pray about it and in the meantime we will do what we have to do for now. I will cross the bridges of gymnastic competitions and the performance of The Nutcracker when (and if) I have to.

Right now, I think, I want to give the girls' their shot. We will see how it works out. If it gets to be too much we will reassess over the summer (or before if we need to :). But, for now, I am excited about the girls opportunities to grow . . .