Being that we spent the first four years of marriage in a tight knit community on the East Coast, our family definitely acquired a love for the Celtic culture. The music, step-dancing, accents, friendliness-we can't get enough of it.

When my husband's coworker told him she attends an all ages Irish dance school in our area, he took the initiative and signed our daughter up immediately. Gabrielle is now in her second year of class and I have watched as her attention span has benefited in a big way from the hour and a half lessons, not to mention her confidence and comfort in performing in front of a crowd.

The class itself is a favorite part of the week for me as well. Many dance schools these days do not allow the parents as spectators, but this one does and it is very entertaining to see dancers from 4-50 and at all different levels, learning together in one room.

Each Spring, the class puts on their annual show and believe me, it is spectacular. The head instructor is straight from Ireland and a no-nonsense type of lady. By show time, she makes sure everything comes together beautifully.

After last year's show, the instructor came over to Christian and asked him to consider joining the program. Boys are very important to Irish dance (they always lead) and unfortunately many boys are too inhibited to try, but my boy decided to give it a whirl.

You never know until you give something a shot whether you have a natural ability in that area. For Christian, we were all COMPLETELY surprised to find out that this boy has serious rhythm and talent! He is so focused on learning new moves that he has excelled right through the early levels to being grouped with kids who have done this for several years.

Griffen is so-o excited to join in on the fun with his siblings this Fall.