Dance Camp

Dance Camp is an annual event here in Painted Post, NY. It is put on by the Christian Hope Center. Two years ago, we heard about it after the fact, so were not able to go. Last summer, I took Lilly and found out that Katy could stay and dance too! I was thrilled. Katy loves to dance too. I realized I could get a lot done throughout the week without any kids, but then I realized deep down that I wanted to dance too. The dance camp is for pre-k thru high school girls. I don't exactly fit into that category. Bummer. Or so I thought...I saw that there were several other ladies (non-dance camp staff) who were going to dance. I mentioned something to my friend Laura Riz, and she said (you have to know Laura to understand...she is my best advocate for the 2X4 method of putting it to me! I love her so for it!) "Then why don't you do it?"

"I have plans for the rest of the week."

"So change them."

"Change them?"

"Yes, change them and dance, girl!"

"Oh, I don't know."

"Well, do you want to do this or not?"

"Yes."

Her next response was rather non-verbal, but said more than words could ever say. It was one of those "Then what are you waiting for" looks.

I went home, made a few calls, and changed the plans.

I danced last year, and loved it. It's tough. Mrs. Bowman is an extremely tough dance coach. She works you HARD!

This year, we planned it so we could be home for the week during dance camp. Phil had to work, so he was unable to come with us, so we miss him.

Dance camp started yesterday (Monday). Lilly and Katy are in separate classes this year, but both have great teachers. Katy has Mrs. Chase (a good family friend and Lilly's Kindergarten teacher - the one I WISH Katy could have this year for school) and Mrs. Bokus (a gal who became a HUGE encourager to me as I began my dancing fun last year.) Lilly has Mrs. Royce (a gal from our church whom I have known since we moved back here in 1993) and Danielle Schrader, Hannah, and Carol Schultes. Danielle and Carol both danced with my group last year.

My teacher is Mrs. Bowman, as I mentioned before. Although Mrs. Bowman is not large, super tall, or "threatening", she can pack a good "punch." She is VERY thin, and is nothing but muscle. She runs marathons, and dances, and dances, and dances! She leads the dance team at Christian Hope. She's amazing. She's also a schoolteacher.

I'm sore, and hot, and sweaty, but having a lot of fun. We are learning a dance to Joyful, joyful we adore thee, (from Sister Act 2) and then a Jewish dance. By the time we were halfway done dancing yesterday (1 hour of good, hard dancing), my face was as red as Rudolph the red nosed reindeer's nose! Sue Schrader asked me if I was ok at snack time. I said, "Yes, just hot." She then asked, "Are you sure this is good for you!" I laughed and said that it was. By the time we finished dancing yesterday, I was sweating in places I didn't know I had! My hands were even dripping with sweat! We came home to my parent's and ate lunch and went to bed. It felt so good to rest.

Today was easier in some respects. I'm tired and my muscles seem to hurt more, but I think I'm doing better. I got the Jewish dance all figured out (until they added some new parts today that hurt my knees) and even have the steps down! That's HUGE. Last year I only did one dance because I couldn't handle learning more than one and because my knee would not tolerate it. This year, I'm doing both. I worked with one of the staff girls after class today to help me learn the steps better. I want to practice, but am not sure I can handle it.

We are supposed to be heading over to a friend's house to go swim for a bit, so I will finish writing for now. I saw several great pictures up on the board today, so I will see if I can get them later to put on my blog.