Signs Your Child is Destined to be a Vegas Showgirl . . .

So, I believe in all my heart that people should be allowed to make their own choices, follow their own dreams, change their minds, reinvent themselves and pursue their passions.  That being said, I'm pretty sure my sweet daughter will end up being a Vegas Showgirl, run away to join The Circus or (crossing my fingers here) become a Cirque du Soleil performer.  I've intentionally avoided the performance category of "Stripper" because, well, I can't go there.  Neither will SHE.  Even though she runs around naked a LOT, I'm hoping that's just because she's 5 and has no shame about her body yet.  A little bit of shame or, let's shoot for humility, could have us bypass Stripper or Pole Dancer and take the exit on further up the road to Feather Frocked Headliner for Celine Dion's come back come back come on waaaaay back show.

It's not exactly what I'd choose for the girl but early signs suggest she's headed in this direction.  Signs such as . . .

• The child doesn't just walk or run, she shimmies, Cha Cha's or saunters from point A to point FABULOUS.  Oh, she's fast and can run like the devil if she wants to . . . but chances are, it's because she doesn't want to miss "So You Think You Can Dance" - - - especially if it's the Cha Cha, Salsa, Mambo or something with a skimpy, shiny twirly costume.  

• Playing "dress up" . . . well, what can I tell you here.  In her closet, there are princess costumes, fairy wings, and plastic dress up heels.  They are patiently waiting for some other little girl to put them on and play in the castle.  My little girl prefers yards of gauzy fabric, satiny belts, frilly fringe from the fabric store and silk or lace castoffs from my closet.  She twists and maneuvers, ties, somehow incorporates a beaded necklace headpiece and voila, she's Carmen Miranda, Madonna, Liza Minelli or (gulp) Gypsy Rose Lee, the burlesque dancer.  

• Her "pretend" names sound an awful lot like "stage" names.  Yesterday she announced her name was Jezebel . . . that one made me choke on my coffee and question how a waffle that was previously swallowed could make it back up my nose.  Jezebel was a new one on me.  Her go to name is usually something like Sparkle Crystal Pearl Shimmer Diamond Tiffany Rose Summertime Sandy.  

• We tried ballet class for a year.  She loved the outfit.  She liked the teacher - the teacher was pretty.  She did not, however, like ballet.  It was "slow and I have to wear the same outfit every time."  She was eventually a little disruptive to the other children and that was the end of our little Nutcracken' dreams. 

• We went to a few gymnastic classes.  She liked gymnastics.   Especially when they got to climb the rope to the ceiling and twirl on the bars.  Sigh.  Outside of those two circus-like activities, she was once again, distracted and that led to being disruptive.  Perhaps being distracted and disruptive is merely a symptom of being five years old and not that her mind is wandering off doing the cha cha or planning where to sew on her sequins and feathers.  

• The girl loves to swing.  Upside Down.  And Dangle from one Leg.  We have a playset.  It has a slide, a playhouse, two swings and a Trapeze bar.  The Trapeze bar is this child's favorite.  Nay, her ONLY method of swing.  

I could go on and on.  I could tell you that she has been this way since birth.  Or that I hope I'm just imagining this crazy future for her and that she may out grow it.  Or, I could encourage her and support her just like I did when she showed signs of wanting to crawl or walk and talk and use the potty.  She's still so little so I have to keep in mind we have many, many, MANY milestones to go before we're doing handstands on elephants or seeing her name up in lights on the Great White Way.  I need to stay true to letting HER choose her own dreams, shape them and pursue her passion--whatever they may be.  I'll even sew feathers on to the caboose of her costume or help her scrub the glitter off her beautiful face and I will always, ALWAYS buy a ticket to her show.  I will, however, draw then line when she asks for an elephant or to add a trapeze bar to the living room ceiling fan.  She'll have to get her own place for those particular things.    

And with that, I leave you with a video of my child.  Mexico, 2010, 4 years old.  Called to get up and "Cha Cha" with her own fashion creation made from a Mexican dress, a bathing suit cover up, a sarong and accessorized perfectly with light up sandals.  

Enjoy.  (It was windy.  She's cute . . . you'll have to get over it.)