Dear Lionel Richie (great singer/songwriter of countless love songs including “Brick House”),
My daughter began ballet class today. Your song "Ballerina Girl" now makes sense.
Fellow sappy father,
Tony
While watching my daughter dancing around looking like an adorable little doll, Lionel’s song (Ballerina Girl, not Dancing on the Ceiling) suddenly jumped into my head. Later, the wife had informed me of the video featuring a Dad and his daughter - I investigated and saw something very creepy: That Dad in the video resembled somebody very familiar…
(Now where do I get a harp that glows with neon colors?)
Yup, that was me. Minus the ugly blue sweater and cool man-perm hair. But add a digital camera, video camera, and excessive smiling and waving, and you wouldn't know the difference. I can just imagine how ridiculous I’ve must of looked to the other parents, which happened to be all moms.By the way, “Brick House” makes sense now too.
For Inquiring Minds – My Father’s Day Update
I did end up getting a nice little BBQ. Regrettably there was no Playstation 3, Xbox, Porsche, Italian-speaking parrot, or slave girl Princess Leia attached.Although, the wife did break out a bucket of chicken, the spicy kind, while my daughter yelled out “SURPRISE!! Happy Birthday Daddy!!!”
Then we all ate, and I got to take a long nap. It was the best birthday ever.
Aaaah, that's so sweet...nothing like the first year of dance. My little ballerina will be 15 this Sunday, after dancing for 9 years she gave it up to be a full-time "volley girl". Sounds like a great Father's Day!
ReplyDeleteDig your cardigan, CTD. I have a post on my blog about my husbands über-grill.
ReplyDeleteMy friend, enjoy that little ballerina. One day she'll grow into a tall thin pre-teen dancing to "Brick House" at the year-end recital.
ReplyDeleteAnd KFC is THE BEST "birthday" food. Ever. Period.
Ah, yes. The ballet years, which could end up morphing into the gymnastic years if you let her anywhere near the TV during the gymnastics competition at the upcoming Olympics.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great birthday!
Xbox, PS3 and Italian speaking parrots are highly overrated. A Porsche is just flat out awesome, but I read somewhere that you should never eat spicy chicken in them because it takes away the manufacturer installed money scent in the interior. But a grill is like the gift that keeps on giving man. You can make your own spicy chicken . . . on the grill! Or you could buy spicy chicken and set it on the grill so people think you made it. That works too.
ReplyDeleteLucy just started ballet & tap on Wednesday. Get ready for the films only we enjoy. I'll watch yours if you watch mine.
ReplyDeleteWasn't it the "Hello" video where that blind chick was sculpting Lionel Ritchie's head? Hello. Is it me you're looking for?
Lionel Richie. No. Just no. Under any circumstances. Or maybe it's just a North American thing? But then if you've seen Billy Elliot, you'll know what ballet means round my grim satanic hometown...
ReplyDeleteFire up the grill--I'll be over with the mower directly.
ReplyDeleteMy husband got to spend Father's Day looking after a houseful of sick people. Happy Father's Day, baby! It's like EVERY OTHER DAY OF YOUR LIFE!
ReplyDeleteWould you believe Brick House is one of Declan's favorite songs?
ReplyDeleteNow that's a barbeque! Though our 'beast' was big (for us Brits) but that's just mean.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest just went to his first football practice last night. We both stood and waved and smiled ....and shivered! I did ballet and loved it, hope your daughter does too.
I just called to say,I liked this post.
ReplyDeleteBen & Bennie -- You've just scarred me. I'll be sure to keep her away from those kind of dance recitals.
ReplyDeleteApril -- That has to be the best idea I've ever heard.
Black Hockey Jesus -- Yes it was. And I'm still looking for a lionel richie head statue.
Belinda -- NICE!!
Where do you get a grill like that! I could take my nap in that anyday.
ReplyDelete"Happy Birthday Daddy" made me smile! This fathering thing can be a sweet gig, eh?
ReplyDeleteOkay, I've got to share this anecdote from my high school days with you, because no one else could ever appreciate the memory. We got a new principal during my junior year, and the first day of school there was an assembly, during which he was introduced to the student body.
His first act as principal? To call his wife to the podium so he could sing "Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady" to her. In front of the student body. Accompanied by background music on cassette.
I thought it was incredibly romantic at the time, lol. I'm a dork.
That is one cool grill!!!
ReplyDeleteWell being the redneck I am, I love the grill! It would go over really well here in Hick Town
ReplyDeletetrust me, other moms LOVE to see dad's being all crazy over their kids. as long as it doesn't involve screaming at or threatening coaches/other sports figures.
ReplyDelete$5, I bet those moms must be wondering, "where is my husband? Why someone's husband could make it to the ballet class but NOT my husband?"
ReplyDeleteYou're one cool dude Tony.
Now, if you don't want the grill, send it up to OR, I need one :()
Wow! That BBQ is manic! Which formula 1 team built it?
ReplyDeleteSteph in AK -- Wow! That's funny. So did he do justice to the song?
ReplyDeletepainted maypole -- I can just imagine yelling at the ballet teacher "What do you mean my daughter didn't do a full Arabesque!!!!!"
(Just kidding)
Karen -- The one that has an Italian speaking parrot.
Aw...ballerina dad. I can see it.
ReplyDeleteawesome post. just don't let your daughter grow up to be like nicole richie. or have a friend like paris hilton!
ReplyDeleteWait a minute... now that you have the barbecue, shouldn't YOU be cooking the chicken?!
ReplyDeleteAnd we took Pumpkinpie to a jazz dance class for a few weeks this spring, and the teacher had the door covered over with paper, and kept ahving to drop the blinds to keep the parents from distracting the kids. So the next week? The paper was curling up at the bottom, and there were three mothers down on all fours in the hallway trying to peek under it to watch their preshus babies. No kidding. Call me unsentimental, but I must admit, I was totally snorting at the utter lack of dignity involved in that...
I keep hoping for a Wii for Father's Day, even though it's long past and my wife is decidedly anti-games.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad that one of us thinks that Lionel Ritchie makes sense ...
Awww...my girls actually did their 3 year old recital to "Ballerina Girl"...talk about tugging at the heartstrings. And I can get pretty choked up over Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She lovely", (which I used to just view as a bouncy, happy-go-lucky little pop ditty)...
ReplyDeleteLionel Richie creeps me out...I couldn't watch the video. But I'll take your word for it.
ReplyDeleteGetting sappy on us?
ReplyDeleteMy hubby cries everytime he hears Dance with Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman. Balls.
OK, how screwed up do you think I'd make my boys if I suggested they put on tutus (and by suggest, I plainly mean beg and/or demand) and dance around the house for me?! Must work on acquiring young girl to do girly things....
ReplyDeleteIn a purely legal and non-creepy way, of course.
Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog. I want to come back here often. In a purely legal and non-creepy way, of course!
for a different kind of girl -- You could have them dress as the Incredible Hulk with a Tutu, I think he actually does that in the movie.
ReplyDeleteDorky Dad -- You need to install a Wii in your car trunk.
kittenpie - Yes, this one was the same way. But nothing could keep the daddy paparazzi away.
chanchow -- I hope not!!!
That is so cute!! I can't wait for Sophia to start dancing class this fall. But it won't be ballet though, she'll do the River Dance!
ReplyDeleteLove the sweater Tony! And happy belated b-day!!
Are you the sole dad among ballet moms like I usually am every Saturday morning? They usually ignore me until they want opinions on their tattoos. It's the price I pay ...
ReplyDeleteA ballerina, a man-perm and a bucket o chicken. Doesn't get much better than that combo.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, fellow Sampa 'Tener.'
:)
That is one amazing grill. You are right on, there is nothing better than some grilled chicken and a nice nap on your birthday.
ReplyDeleteAlways Home and Uncool -- Tattoo advice? No, not yet...
ReplyDeleteNow, just pray yours doesn't turn out like Nicole Richie. :)
ReplyDeleteYou would TOTALLY rock the man-perm.
ReplyDeleteAnd damn, that grill is emitting some serious testosterone!
Happy belated birthday and hope it turns out to be a wonderful year for you.
Yeah, but what about that song where in the video a blind girl is molding Lionel's head for some reason? That'll never make sense.
ReplyDeleteI used to read your blog quite a bit back when I was "daddyblogging" — it's nice to see you are still writing!
Peter Orvetti -- You speak of his "Hello" video.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty good one.