The seeds of performance passion were planted back in 2009 when you & your family lived with us.

You were two years old.

Every night after you had eaten, taken a bath, brushed your teeth and (somewhat) settled down, you’d appear in the Great Room with Camden.  Being very interested in dance and gymnastics, you would prance around in front of the fireplace.

The Great Room’s beige and green carpet has an outer edge pattern, a straight line about six inches wide.

One night I told you to line up your body and walk along the six inch edge of the carpet and practice your moves… imagining a virtual balance beam. You would lift your leg, dip your head and practice spin-around moves while staying on the “balance beam.”

We applauded and cheered… you soaked up the attention, perfecting your moves over and over, nearly every night for months.

The next summer when you were three, a flat rock washed up ashore.  It became your balance beam rock.  You’d prance and pirouette. (here’s a photo of you with the rock)

Last year, a giant log became part of our summer scene. It was massive – over 12 feet long.  To no one’s surprise, it became an adventure for you and your cousins and next door neighbor friends.  Soon everyone was balance beaming.

Here’s a photo of you playing the pied piper and leading the way.

A couple weeks ago I asked if you were still going to dance studio in Portsmouth and you said “No, I’m going to go to gymnastics.”  I think you’ll love it Ainsley… after all you’ve already had a lot of practice.