Ballet Quest

We decided that it is time for Maddy to start some sort of dance class.  Of course, the dance classes offered on post for 4 year olds are only at times good for stay-at-home moms or dads.  Too bad – because we don’t really want anything too serious.  With a couple of addresses and a reference in hand, we set off yesterday afternoon to scout out two dance studios – specifically ballet.  We essentially struck out twice.  Both places offered us a chance to give it a try, but both also told us that 4 is usually too little.  {The one lady that we spoke with did, however, approve of Maddy’s body type for ballet. Too funny. } Apparently little four year olds don’t have the attention span or the muscle control to study ballet.  Just as suspected – way too serious.  We popped into a gym (hey, let’s try gymnastics or tumbling) that comes highly recommended by a friend but received the cold shoulder.  I say the cold shoulder – but that’s probably not fair.  It’s just yet another cultural difference.  In certain situations (not, not, not when entering a cutesy boutique somewhere where the sales folk stay a step behind you) there just isn’t a level of customer service that we are used to; there doesn’t seem to be that innate drive that Americans seem to have to serve the customer, make the sale, close the deal, get the money – so, we left the gym with only a phone number to call later.

Defeated {I speak only for myself because Richard, who has been in Italy much longer, thought the outing a success}, we went for a pizza.  Upon further reflection, we’re not so sure that the time is right.  Why do we have this urge {already} to get her into activities? She is 4.  At her little school she takes swim lessons once a week, has a special language lesson (albeit English) with Veronica, and meets with an early literacy teacher, Ermenia – all on top of her regularly scheduled day with Marzia.   Shouldn’t her only activity be to play in the backyard? To bake with mom and cook with dad? To color and draw?  To play dress up?  To learn to ride a bike?  I just don’t know. . . . . I think that we may just pass on the chance to “try” it out. . .just maybe.