Susan Senator

Question: How many Baby Bellies does it take to put in a lightbulb?

Answer: It all depends on if you have enough snacks.

Today we had more than enough snacks. I brought graham crackers and goldfish, and one little girl brought in Starbursts. They went crazy over the snacks. I could barely get them back to class after the snack. We only had time for a tiny bit of practicing the grapevine. But they tried, God love ’em.

Before snack, we practiced the Misirlou a lot. I reminded them that I was not going to allow them to switch hip scarves and I also said I did not want to have to retie them a lot. So only two of them had problems this time. Interesting how that works. (Were my Baby Bellies spoiled before??)

We had class outside on the “plaza,” the paved courtyard near the basketball court, because it was sunny and because with Election Day going on, the Multi-Purpose room was taken over.

They did not like being outside, but I did. They groaned at the hot sun, and needed a lot of water breaks, but thankfully there is a water fountain just inside the doors. They also complained at the way the Extended Day classes were “staring” at them. Kids cannot bear to be stared at. It is just as bad as being bullied or teased, in Ben’s book (and, I suppose, the Baby Bellies’ book).

“But you are performers,” I said. “It’s great to have an audience!” It sure made me feel more enthusiastic. I even got out my zills and started zilling while they practiced their Basic Egyptian hip walks. These were my new zills from Turquoise International. Just beautiful, like a bell.

I didn’t bring enough veils, though, so some had to use hip scarves or just pretend. I snapped at one or two of them who were rude, like when one of them corrected how I pronounced another girl’s name. “Don’t correct me,” I said. And when another asked “When is snack,” for the tenth time, I said, “Don’t ask me that again.” It was pretty great, having them listen to me and actually practice the piece instead of chasing each other around. I wasn’t mean, I was just annoyed now and then, and then sunny right away, like I always am. C’est moi.

They are really getting the Basic Egyptian, for the most part. That and the way they hold themselves seems to be improving. What a delight to see them pay attention to posture, arms, and now where they place their feet! How I love those Baby Bellies, even when I’m mad at them. Now I understand that the nature of a Baby Belly is to complain and pout and try to get attention. It is the Little Diva in them. It’s what, in the end, will make them beautiful dancers.