The kids have half days all this week; the high school and junior high are having midterms Monday – Wednesday and on Thu & Fri meetings with their counselors to go over their educational objectives for the remainder of the year; I would think the objective is clear: pass everything or face the wrath of Dad, but the school wants them to think beyond grades. Imagine that.

Yesterday we picked them up early and decided to take them out for lunch, and Kevin fidgeted like his ass was on fire until Rachel told him to just ask us already, we weren’t going to stab him with forks and then throw salt on him. He looked to Alex for help, and all Alex did was shrug and tell him to spit it out.

What Kevin wants is to take ballet. Neither of us was surprised; he’s drawn to the arts. He loves to sing (and he’s pretty good), he loves music and is having fun exploring the drum. He's also athletic. I can see how he's drawn to the idea of blending his interests and at least exploring ballet, and possibly other forms of dance.

He worried about asking because his friends assured him my reaction would be Hell No. Boys don't take ballet.

He also worried because his PE teacher questioned whether or not he was already too old to start and excel at it; she didn't say this because she's mean, she said this because she understands that when he approaches something like this, he wants to be better than good, and he gets frustrated if he's not. Frankly, that's my only concern. He wants at least a chance of becoming very good, and if 10 is already too old he should at least be forewarned that he doesn't stand a chance of becoming the next Baryshnikov.

I am inclined to let him try, regardless.

Part of me wanted to press for the reasons he's so interested all the sudden, but I didn't want to make him feel as if he has to justify his interests. They are what they are, and if he can reasonably explore them, it's my job to make it possible. Alex and I talked while he helped me hang pictures last night; I was a little curious what he thought, and wanted to make sure he wasn't going to tease Kevin for wanting to take ballet (he won't; he understands its appeal to his little brother and he has his own interests in learning to dance well.) He did have one good reason why Kevin wants to take lessons now.

Her name is Elizabeth, and they seem to have a mutual crush on each other.

We have an appointment at her ballet school tomorrow afternoon, and I'll take the checkbook. Go Kevin.