Maddie's Major: Veterinarian, Minor: Singing

Dreams are important... when we're kids, and when we grow up. When I was 8 years old, I wanted to be a disc jockey and own radio stations. Today, as an investment banker who once put together a small-market radio group for a private equity fund, I've never regretted pursuing my childhood radio dreams.

My youngest daughter, Maddie, aspires to be a singing veterinarian. Because our twin babysitters are going off to college in a couple of weeks, eight-year-old Maddie is already talking about what she's going to study when it's her turn to go away to college (making her mom and dad officially empty nesters in ten years). Maddie would like to find a college where she can major in veterinary science (is there such a thing as pre-vet?) and minor in singing.

In the mean time, we're trying to decide whether to make the commitment to a Master's class at Annie's Playhouse in Far Hills, NJ, in the Fall. For the past four years, London and Maddie have spent their summers at Annie's Playhouse Summer Stars, but this year, for the first time, both of my girls have expressed an interest in "going pro" in the Fall, focusing on a career in musical theatre through the amazingly serious classes in acting, singing and dancing at Annie's Playhouse. It's clearly impressive to see what Annie's Playhouse has accomplished for its most serious students... a couple of 10-year-olds from the Summer Stars camp already have their own agents and could turn out to be the next Jonas Brothers.

But talk about over-programmed. There is such a wealth of opportunities for children to choose from here in the Roxiticus Valley, including the local Hexagon Players performances. As much as London and Maddie LOVED softball in the Spring, we've rejected the Mendham Little League Fall softball program, and decided to wait until next year to join a 4-H dog club. London is a very talented dancer and already takes three hours of ballet on Monday and Tuesdays, as well as an hour of modern dance for both girls at Garden State Ballet in Randolph, NJ, but we've put off the third day of dance and participation in the Nutcracker until she's old enough to be en pointe next year. London also wants to continue with intermediate gymnastics at Randolph Gymnastics.

So we'll take the next few weeks of relaxation at our beach house in Bay Head, NJ, sleeping as late as we want with no commitments, to decide whether the girls want to get serious about a career in musical theatre, or stick to the lazy fun of song and dance of summer camp.

Garden State Ballet Recital Today

Another school year and year of after-school activities gone by, and Roxiticus Desperate Housewives still can't say enough good things about Garden State Ballet in Randolph, NJ. My girls have danced there with Miss Katie for three years now (starting with "baby blue" pre-ballet classes, followed by "white" beginner classes, and moving on to "Pink I" this year) and plan to continue in the pink II class in Fall 2009. Miss Katie also delivered a beautiful ballet lesson in our home for Maddie's 6th birthday party last year. Now today's the day for the annual recital, and Rex and the girls and I are off to Secaucus to see them shine.

While the Roxiticus Desperate Tomboy Mother has no idea where my girls got the ballet gene, I have developed quite a bit of experience and wisdom about ballet, for pre-schoolers on up to high-schoolers, over the past five years.

London started ballet at age 3.5 when we first moved out here to the Roxiticus Valley from the West Village in NYC. We went to a place called Showcase Studios in Far Hills, NJ. While my daughter enjoyed dressing up in a leotard and tutu and "making cookie dough" and "dancing like fairies," we didn't take it very seriously, it was just for fun. Good thing. Despite the pressure, we didn't sign up for the recital or the accompanying $300 costumes etc. Two weeks before the recital, Showcase Studios was evicted...no more lessons, no recital.

The next year, we "started over" at Art of Dance in Chester, NJ. This time both girls signed up for ballet class. I think all of my friends have tried Art of Dance for some period of time, but no one stays on....my girls just didn't have much fun there, and in pre-school, that's what ballet classes should be all about. Again, we thankfully skipped the recital....waaaay too much make-up and kinda trashy costumes.

In September 2006, both girls and one of their best gal pals signed up for the baby blue pre-ballet class (4 and 5 year-olds, I believe) at Garden State Ballet. When I learned that the recital was on Father's Day, I was all set to skip another year's recital...but I'm glad I didn't. At the recital, each class performed a basic routine and we snapped pictures of our little darlings. After a brief intermission, the stronger dancers returned to demonstrate almost professional skill in modern dance. While my daughters may or may not continue to dance as they get older, if they do, Garden State Ballet is the right place for a serious dancer.

Garden State Ballet Recital Today!

Roxiticus Desperate Housewives can't say enough good things about Garden State Ballet in Randolph, NJ. My girls have danced there with Miss Katie for two years now (baby blue pre-ballet class last year, "white" beginner class this year) and plan to continue in the pink class in Fall 2008. Miss Katie also delivered a beautiful ballet lesson at my younger daughter's birthday party in our home in March 2008. Now today's the day for the annual recital, and Rex and the girls and I are off to Secaucus to see them shine.

While the Roxiticus Desperate Tomboy Mother has no idea where my girls got the ballet gene, I have developed quite a bit of experience and wisdom about ballet, for pre-schoolers on up to high-schoolers, over the past five years.

My youngest daughter started ballet at age 3.5 when we first moved out here to the Roxiticus Valley from the West Village in NYC. We went to a place called Showcase Studios in Far Hills, NJ. While my daughter enjoyed dressing up in a leotard and tutu and "making cookie dough" and "dancing like fairies," we didn't take it very seriously, it was just for fun. Good thing. Despite the pressure, we didn't sign up for the recital or the accompanying $300 costumes etc. Two weeks before the recital, Showcase Studios was evicted...no more lessons, no recital.

The next year, we "started over" at Art of Dance in Chester, NJ. This time both girls signed up for ballet class. I think all of my friends have tried Art of Dance for some period of time, but no one stays on....my girls just didn't have much fun there, and in pre-school, that's what ballet classes should be all about. Again, we thankfully skipped the recital....waaaay too much make-up and kinda trashy costumes.

In September 2006, both girls and one of their best gal pals signed up for the baby blue pre-ballet class (4 and 5 year-olds, I believe) at Garden State Ballet. When I learned that the recital was on Father's Day, I was all set to skip another year's recital...but I'm glad I didn't. At the recital, each class performed a basic routine and we snapped pictures of our little darlings. After a brief intermission, the stronger dancers returned to demonstrate almost professional skill in modern dance. While my daughters may or may not continue to dance as they get older, if they do, Garden State Ballet is the right place for a serious dancer.

Garden State Ballet

Roxiticus Desperate Housewives can't say enough good things about Garden State Ballet in Randolph, NJ. My girls have danced there with Miss Katie for two years now (baby blue pre-ballet class last year, "white" beginner class this year) and plan to continue in the pink class in Fall 2008. Miss Katie also delivered a beautiful ballet lesson at my younger daughter's birthday party in our home this month.

While the Roxiticus Desperate Tomboy Mother has no idea where my girls got the ballet gene, I have developed quite a bit of experience and wisdom about ballet, for pre-schoolers on up to high-schoolers, over the past five years.

My youngest daughter started ballet at age 3.5 when we first moved out here to the Roxiticus Valley from the West Village in NYC. We went to a place called Showcase Studios in Far Hills, NJ. While my daughter enjoyed dressing up in a leotard and tutu and "making cookie dough" and "dancing like fairies," we didn't take it very seriously, it was just for fun. Good thing. Despite the pressure, we didn't sign up for the recital or the accompanying $300 costumes etc. Two weeks before the recital, Showcase Studios was evicted...no more lessons, no recital.

The next year, we "started over" at Art of Dance in Chester, NJ. This time both girls signed up for ballet class. I think all of my friends have tried Art of Dance for some period of time, but no one stays on....my girls just didn't have much fun there, and in pre-school, that's what ballet classes should be all about. Again, we thankfully skipped the recital....waaaay too much make-up and kinda trashy costumes.

In September 2006, both girls and one of their best gal pals signed up for the baby blue pre-ballet class (4 and 5 year-olds, I believe) at Garden State Ballet. When I learned that the recital was on Father's Day, I was all set to skip another year's recital...but I'm glad I didn't. At the recital, each class performed a basic routine and we snapped pictures of our little darlings. After a brief intermission, the stronger dancers returned to demonstrate almost professional skill in modern dance. While my daughters may or may not continue to dance as they get older, if they do, Garden State Ballet is the right place for a serious dancer.