Guess What

"Just talk to her and ask her if Sophia can get a school dress before the feis," Janine urged me on Sunday. Sophia's been in Irish dance now for 2 years and her beginner costume, a white blouse, navy skirt, and a sash, have served her well. But her skirt is now scandalously short, which helps the look of the long leg, yes, but it's really short. Like see the green bloomers when she walks around short. I knew that we would have to get a new skirt for her to compete in this summer, but the whole idea was bugging me--there were girls with far less experience already in "school dresses" and I couldn't believe that Sophia's dance skills were so far behind that she couldn't be in one, too.

But Janine reminded me that our school's director keeps about ten thousand things in her head at any given time and things can slip out. Or she might not want me to have to pay for a school dress if the beginner costume was still working out just fine. And until about three months ago, Sophia didn't seem to notice or care. But St. Patrick's Day season sort of brought it home to her that all the girls her age were in school dresses and in wigs. I was still curling her hair, which holds curl fabulously (obviously) but there really isn't that much hair there! And she was still in the beginner costume.

Then we went through this little crisis when she felt so confused about all the dances she was learning (think about their names: slip jig light jig simple jig treble jig. You think you might get confused?). So we found her a tutor, a 9th grade girl who lives about 10 blocks away and sees Sophia for about a half hour every Wednesday. Things really started to gel in Sophie's mind and her kicks got higher and things seemed to be going well--she was hitting her stride.

So on Janine's urging (her daughter is a year ahead of Sophia in dance, although they are the same age--and she is far more involved than we are at this point), I sent the director an email. She wrote back around midnight (when she always sends emails, it seems) and said of course. Come to the studio early for class Monday and we can try some on.

That was easy. I just had to ask. Huh.

Sophia was filled with instant dread--does this mean she was going to have learn a bunch of new stuff right away? I assured her that no, it meant that we should probably try to go to more shows, but that summer was light on shows anyway and she would be FINE.

We tried on three dresses at the studio; the oldest of the three fit her best and therefore was the cheapest as well. I need to wash and sun-bleach the lace collar and attach an inside ribbon around the waist to cinch it in a bit. But nothing needs doing to the sleeves (thank God) and suddenly Sophia looks like a big kid in it.

She tried it on for Mike and Maeve when we got home and did a jig in her bare feet. I think it was Simple Jig. She was happy. So am I.