Review: Prima Princessa presents Sleeping Beauty

I had already reviewed two previous videos by Prima Princessa, and we loved them, so I was happy to get a copy of this one to review. It did not disappoint. I think this one may even be the girls' favorite, because the story is somewhat familiar and it involves a prince and princess.

Prima Princessa presents Sleeping Beauty follows the same format of Prima Princessa's previous productions in that it features a shortened version of a ballet, performed this time by the Royal Ballet from London. Between segments of the ballet, dance steps are demonstrated by ballet students and then viewers are encouraged to try the steps and dance along with the children on the DVD. The programs are arranged specifically to hold the attention of young children. They can enjoy watching a ballet and learning about dance whether or not they can attend a live performance or participate in a dance class.


The girls wanted to get involved in this one. Suzi, who barely touches anything girlish these days, felt moved to run upstairs and fish a pink tutu out of the dress-up basket. I took about 30 pictures.



Ivey wanted to play too. She grabbed the tutu, put it on herself and pranced around the living room in circles saying "I Aroya! I Aroya!"


So they both loved watching the ballerinas in Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed it too, as it's much more pleasant to hear and watch than almost any kids' show and encourages them to get off the couch and move around.

Also, Prima Princessa presents Sleeping Beauty has a little something extra at the end--arts and crafts, a tea party, and acting demonstrations. My girls were happy to see the DVD keep going after the ballet was over. The cute craft ideas were my favorite (and there are more craft ideas on their Tutuzone website). Since we are homeschooling, we frequently enjoy making things together!

For all the entertainment and fun activities this video provides, the price cannot be beat. It can be purchased here on Amazon. I think it'd be especially good to save for a rainy day or a playdate!

A melted-hem dance skirt

This is something I made a couple of weeks ago after getting a couple of polyester silky pieces at the Goodwill clearance center. I used a red silky blouse and more of the prom dress from the cape project to make Suzi a little dance skirt.

First I made some flowers, which was a lot of fun. You've probably heard of this technique--seems like everybody's trying it! It's an ingenious way to use some old polyester (and no, it won't work with real silk). Here's a tutorial I just found at Restorative Living for some big, fluffy flowers! Very pretty.

This is my flower all stacked up but not yet sewn.

Anyway, for the skirt I measured around Suzi's waist and decided to cut leaf-shaped pieces that were about 7 inches wide at the top and larger at the bottom. I folded the fabric in half to cut like this.

Then I cut a rounded edge upward sort of like this.

So once I unfolded it, this is what it looked like.

It only took me a few minutes to melt the bottom edges, and it was fun.

Then I sewed all the pieces together, one by one, up the sides. I cut five pieces but ended up only using four once I saw how big around it was looking. I didn't want it too poofy.

Once they were all together in a circle I pinned down the top edge and sewed it to make a slot for elastic, leaving a little gap between where I started and finished.

Then I threaded the elastic through with a safety pin (it got stuck once--annoying!) and sewed the ends together.

At this point I realized it might not allow for the freedom of movement required in dance class. It was a little longer than I envisioned. So I snipped a little further where two of the leaves came together to create a little slit. This goes over the left leg. I did have to go back and very carefully melt those new cut edges.

Then it was pretty much finished. I just safety-pinned one of my flowers over the spot where the slit was.

Another flower on a hair clip (made with a button from that same blouse) finishes the outfit.

What I don't like: It turned out 2-3 inches longer than I really wanted, but that's what happens sometimes when you don't use a pattern. The fabric is also stiffer than I'd like. I really wanted to make a red skirt out of the other fabric, which was softer, but Suzi wanted a green skirt. Her favorite color and all. I think next time I'll also use a thinner (weaker) elastic.

What I do like: I think this is a fun, fast way to make a skirt, and I don't regret trying it. Suzi wore it to dance and it was cute. I also think it'll be useful later as a dress-up item or if one of the girls wants to be a fairy or something for Halloween. And hey, she put it on. That alone makes it a success!

We love our dance classes!

Suzi took a while to warm up to dance.

Week 1: Sat in my lap in the corner and cried.
Week 2: Switched to a younger group, spent half of class pouting and just standing there.
Week 3: Participated and had a good time.
Week 4: Paid even more attention, had even more fun, and participated in everything.

Here's a little video from her third class (she's the one in the purple). She really thought she should put her hands on her knees and bounce. Then she was like okay, fine, I'll tap my toe then.

I love watching Suzi through the one-way mirror. She is so cute tapping her little toes and prancing around and holding her arms up like a ballerina. Oh, it is so fun watching.

I am loving my tap class as well. The steps felt so clumsy and difficult in the first class, but now after some practice they are starting to feel natural and the sequences the teacher shows us just kind of flow. Who knew tap would be so easy to learn as an adult? I'm going to be sad when I have to stop going!

No videos of me dancing. I'm not as cute as Suzi. And I still need new tap shoes. Really badly.

Review: Prima Princessa Presents the Nutracker

You might remember how Suzi and I enjoyed Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake. We were so happy to be asked to review their new DVD, Prima Princessa Presents the Nutcracker! They sent us a DVD and it arrived just in time to comfort Suzi on her sad first day of dance class.

If you are not familiar with Prima Princessa, their programs feature shortened versions of ballets performed by famous ballet companies. Between segments of the ballet, dance steps are demonstrated by ballet students and then viewers are encouraged to try the steps and dance along with the children on the DVD. The programs are arranged specifically to hold the attention of young children. They can enjoy watching a ballet and learning about dance whether or not they can attend a live performance or participate in a dance class.

First of all, I love Christmas and I love The Nutcracker. Unfortunately, where we live opportunities do not abound for seeing this ballet live, and with my two little ones, it's hard to get to any cultural event. I am happy to share this with Suzi (and Ivey) at home until we finally do get to take them to see more things. This version of the Nutracker, shortened and with breaks for dancing here and there, is fun for them and holds their attention. Suzi tries out the suggested dance steps, and a little while ago as they watched together, I noticed 13-month-old Ivey twirling in circles as well! They are cute to watch.

Not only is this a fun outlet for a kid's energy and a good alternative to turning on a movie which will keep them seated on the couch, it also reinforces some of the same dance steps Suzi is learning in her dance class. Glissade, in particular, is something not all the girls immediately grasp in class, and now Suzi has extra motivation to practice it at home. I was pleased at how the dance steps featured on this DVD are different from the ones in Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake. It's a totally new program.

Whether or not you have the first DVD, I'd definitely recommend adding this one to your collection. It can be purchased here on Amazon, and the price cannot be beat. It's lovely to watch for both children and adults, and we'll probably be hitting the play button year-round.

We're fools whether we dance or not

Suzi's feet, all ready to dance

"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance."

~Japanese Proverb~

As I've mentioned, Suzi recently started dance classes. A few weeks ago my mom and I took her to the studio to look around and get fitted for shoes. I was so excited for her, but my heart ached a little because, honestly, I have always wanted to dance.

My mom signed me up when I was five for one season of little girl dance class--marching around with batons, lyrical dancing to cutesy little songs, things like that. But the most memorable part of that class for me was sliding across the floor on my butt. It was slippery. We all did it for fun.

Anyway, I probably just wasn't ready to learn, which is why I quit, but looking back I wish I had learned to do some kind of dancing. I definitely have the desire to dance, and I always have. So it made me both happy and sad to see Suzi starting dance lessons, as it reminded me of what I never got to do.

And then, on the wall of the studio lobby, I saw it: A flier announcing an adult beginner tap dance class. A big grin spread across my face. It didn't matter if I had never tapped before. I knew what my mom would say and I was right. Yes, I am pregnant. Yes, it costs money. Yes, I might make a fool of myself. But it'll be good exercise, which I need, right? And I've always wanted to learn to dance, right? I thought of Hobo Mama and how she took a risk and signed up for a ballet class. I was totally signing up. Later on my mom and I talked on the phone and she asked me what Jordan thought. He was supportive as always. Of course, I had called him on my way home and said "Guess what! I'm going to learn to tap dance!" What other choice did he have?

It was a hard sell but finally I talked my mom into signing up with me, and tonight was our second class. Our teacher has a system of breaking down the steps to make them simple to learn, and then stringing them together to make it look almost like even I know what I am doing. It wasn't half as hard as I thought it'd be, and it reminded me of learning exhibition drill routines in Junior ROTC. I like it! It was good spending time with my mom and we could both use a fun way to get exercise. We were the only two in the first class, and tonight there were a couple of others, one of whom had tapped before and was really good. It's harder tapping on the kitchen floor at home and it leaves black marks, but practicing last week really helped me keep up in class tonight! For the first time I can remember, I am getting exercise and not hating it.

Moral of my tap dance story: Don't let anyone tell you you're too ______ to do something, and especially don't tell yourself you are. I'm so glad I took a chance and signed up. I'm so glad I rejected the notion that if you haven't learned to dance by the time you're six you're a lost cause, and the notion that pregnant women shouldn't make spectacles of themselves. I hate that many women would never in a million years take a dance class, not because they don't want to dance, but because they think they aren't skinny or young or whatever enough. And I'm so proud of my mom for going with me.

This is great. All I need now is bigger shoes. And if I'm getting new shoes anyway they might as well be pretty.

Yay!

~Jenny, the pregnant tap dancer~

P.S. If you are in the area, you should sign up too. It's $30 a month or $10 to drop in for a class, and it's not hard to pick things up with the system our teacher is using. You'd fit right in. Let me know if you want more info!

Hold me closer, Whiny Dancer

My weepy ballerina was happy to finally get that sucker

Dance class today wasn't what I had envisioned. It obviously wasn't what Suzi had envisioned, either.

After a six-week summer dance camp, we decided to switch to a larger dance school. Suzi had sometimes been the only child in class over the summer, but when we arrived today, that was not nearly the case.

When we pulled up in the parking lot and saw all the cars, Suzi said she thought that, well, maybe she didn't want to go to class after all. I tried to stay upbeat and not give her any reason to feel nervous. I told her she'd be fine and it would be fun.

Everybody and their brother was there. No, literally, there were a bunch of bored-looking brothers sitting around doing homework, talking, and playing. There were a dozen little darlings in leotards and tutus clickety-clacking around in their new tap shoes in the lobby. Mothers and employees buzzed back and forth, getting girls ready for their classes. And the place echoed.

Suzi clung to me and I couldn't coax her off. We walked over to the door of her classroom and talked about meeting her teacher and going in to dance. She seemed okay with it, and I think it would've been fine, except that the teacher was in there with a previous class and when they finished, she let them all grab a piece of candy on their way out. Suzi saw the candy and figured she'd just get in line behind the girls in that class and have a piece. When I told her she'd be getting her candy after dancing, the meltdown commenced. Her teacher tried to take her hand and walk her into class, but she stomped in place and cried. It was a no-go.

I ended up sitting in the corner of the large mirrored room with Suzi in my lap pretty much the whole time. She refused to participate with the other girls, although she did enjoy watching. I can understand that feeling. I've been there, and I was glad to be there to hold Suzi while she went through it. But I felt like all the other moms were leering at me from behind the one-way mirror. Now I know that isn't true, because Jordan was in there. He said they were talking about the high cost of recital costumes, how great their daughters were going to do, and the excitement of possibly competing. Possibly. Competing. My kid is three. I am so not into that!

We are moving Miss Suzi to a smaller, younger class with the same teacher. She has confirmed that it was indeed the candy that threw her off today, and has promised to actually dance next week. In fact, she came home and danced to Prima Princessa Presents The Nutcracker, which came in the mail today. It couldn't possibly have come at a better time. (I will be reviewing it soon!) I have high hopes for dance, I really do. I think this new class will be much more on track with what she and I need.

But next week I think I'll carry a piece of candy in my pocket. Just in case.

Review: Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake

Suzi just started her very first dance class, a short summer program. She's almost as excited as I am (she's adorable strutting around in her dance outfit). So it was perfect timing for us to review Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake! We were sent a free copy to review.

This 40-minute DVD features excerpts from Swan Lake performed by the Paris Opera Ballet narrated by a cartoon ballerina, Prima Princessa. Ballet steps are explained and demonstrated by ballet students between acts, and little girls are shown dancing and having fun in their tutus.

Suzi loved it, of course. With the help of the narrator, she caught on to the story quickly. She loves stories with princes and usually pretends to be the prince. When Prima Princessa said "now it's our turn to dance," she made me get up and dance with her. Then she made her daddy dance. She tried out the steps being taught and made up some of her own. Cute!

Here she is enjoying the show:

I know it's blurry but I couldn't resist sharing. Suzi strikes a pose!

I don't have anything negative to say about it. As an adult, I would've preferred more of the ballet and less of the dance demonstrations, but it's best for little ones the way it is. The dance lesson montages each play over again, which Suzi loved. Also, I don't know if the DVD could've held her attention the way it did with any more of the ballet, especially if it had been presented without breaks. I think it does a good job of making the ballet something little children can understand and enjoy.

The price? Only $6.99! You can't beat that. It can be purchased on Amazon and would make a great gift for a little girl who already has oodles of toys. Prima Princessa presents the Nutcracker is coming out in September, and Sleeping Beauty will be available in January. We will probably end up getting the whole collection eventually. I don't mind; I liked it too!

Suzi sprouts a tooth and dances; Jordan and I have "date night"

Suzi loves music. When we ride in the car she'll cry if we don't turn some music on and then she sings along. She learned that from mommy and daddy (the singing along, not the crying).

Jordan and I had "date night" last night. We went last-minute shopping at Ross because I've lost enough weight that my jeans were practically falling off (hallelujah!). While we were there, Jordan found a copy of the two most wholesome movies ever made, Problem Child and Problem Child 2. Jordan and I both love these silly movies. So we tucked Suzi into her crib, put a frozen pizza in the oven and cuddled on the couch. It was so much fun. Then we ate ice cream (well I had a smoothie with yogurt; I want to continue to fit into my jeans) and fell asleep watching the second movie. So we'll be continuing our date tonight when Suzi goes to bed. I love Jordan and most nights I feel like I'm having a sleepover with my best friend!

Suzi pictures:

Playing peekaboo with Daddy around me. She still loves peekaboo, in all its variations!

Reading her very first birthday card ever! It was from Aunt Laura and Uncle Calvin, who brought her gift over early. They gave her two little summer dresses. She had a great time opening them.

"Listen up! I'm teething, and I'm going to chew on whatever I want! And I don't want to hear another word about it!" (In this case she was chewing on a felt egg I sewed for her before Easter.)

She crawls around with this big teething ring in her mouth. It's cute. Her teething pains are finally paying off; she has another tooth! I'm excited because I think soon we'll be able to tell whose teeth she has. Hopefully Jordan's; his are made of rocks. It's on the top left and it's just poked through.