Huddsballetmum

IDTA and RAD have worked together on new syllabus's for ballet. ITDA recognises many forms of dance including, ballet, tap, modern jazz, ballroom, whereas RAD is limited to ballet. DD has done both RAD and IDTA ballet and in regard to the comments regarding technique, both syllabi (?) require a high level of technique. Cannot comment about ISTD or BTDA - sorry but hope the rest helps.

Sign in a restuarant in London this weekend "Unattended children will be given fizzy drinks and a puppy" I thought it was a fun way of telling people to keep their children under control

Julius Ceasar for me too, and I prefer LinMM's suggestion for the trolley question!

Well back from the 3 day stint at Move It. Limbs ache, feet hurt, but had a wonderful time. DD had fabulous time taking classes with Tring, English National Ballet and Lucas McFarlane. She also got to meet and have photo's with Sisco Gomez, Diversity, Unity UK and Chris N Wez. She was happy beyond belief. Only down side to the whole weekend was that Just Ballet sold out of all the lovely lace shorts before we managed to purchase. We will have to order on the web instead.

Got to say there are some classes which are only offered on the Friday and, as picturesinthefirelight stated, the weekends are geared up to all, not just those with dance backgrounds or experience. If you are a serious dancer who does not go to vocational school, Friday classes offer important training and development. A child's education is not only about what they learn within their school classrooms, and high quality educators realise and value this. Sorry - rant over! Edited to add Due to winning tickets from the wonderful Just Ballet, I will now be attending so if you want to meet up Katymac I will be there on Sunday.

I am lucky that DD is on the schools Junior Elite Althetic Programme for her dancing so I just had to advise them that it was for her continued dancing education. Also her head of year used to be a dance teacher at her dance school a few years ago so we get some leaway. However, as long as your DC is taking classes during Friday, then the school should allow authorised absence as it is classed as educational training.

We will be there for the 3 days this year, though this year I'm not going in just dropping dd and her friend off at the entrance and collecting them at the end of the day. I get to have a lonvely 3 days in London to myself! I can highly recommend it as it accommodates everything you could possibly want in the dance work, and some things you never thought of! All the schools have stalls and are really helpful. Spanner - there is a lift and the walkways are wide, though Saturday was extremley crowded. I did see a number of people in wheelchairs last year.

Well done in your battle so far Swanprincess. A close friend battled anorexia for 10 years and I know how difficult it is to overcome. I think you are doing the right thing by discussing it. That is the hard part but the one which seemed to help my friend the most. Keep talking! My daughter is 5ft 2in and is 7stone which gives her a healthy BMI of 18.5. She eats a lot of food, but it's all healthy stuff and dances about 18-20 hours per week. I think the main point is to eat healthily and regularly which will assist you in building strong muscles for dance. Your body needs fuel to manage large amounts of exercise. Stay strong! x

I love Torey Hayden, she is an amazing writer and so frightening that most of her books are true stories.

£50 for a wobble board is very expensive. I have attached a link to the one that my daughter has http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wobble-Board-40-Sc-Balance/dp/B000O0YET4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1392901665&sr=8-5&keywords=wobbleboard at a reasonably priced £14.22. It's really good quality and recommended by my dd's ballet teachers.

Amazon have a wide range of wobble boards and therabands. I got dd both from them. Wobble board was 14.99 and was the same type as she used at dance school and theraband was the purple one as that is the one our dance teacher recommended for dancers.

I would be really interested in the information as well as my DD has just chosen GCSE PE as one of her options. The PE teacher has told me that they can tailor it to her needs and concentrate on dance, gymnastics and leardership skills but she will still have to do one team sport as part of the qualification.

Good luck to all those facing assessment.

I think its a gamble depending on the adjudicator. I have seen beautifuly executed routines not get placed over personality and performance, and also I have seen simple but excellent technique win the day. I think you have just got to go with the mindset that you will dance your very best and put everything into it, but not be disheartened if you do not place. After all, in sections of 20+ not everyone can get a place, no matter how well they dance. Sometimes, when there are a number of excellent dancers, it comes down to the adjudicators personal choice. Enjoy and good luck!

Fabric Pen is good. It lasts about 3 months with regular washing and then you can just re-wite. I always use it on the clothes label so unless the label is black - you are okay. I got mine in mothercare, but I'm sure they sell them elsewhere. They are great for children who hate labels. Sorry no advice about shoes though.

Back to the dating, you must keep us updated as to your progress and whether you find Mr Right or Mr Right Turn Off! My DD keeps hinting that I should sign up as she doesn't want me to be alone when she goes off to College. She's only 13 so I figure I have time yet, but am interested to get your perspective.

I know that Northern Ballet offer a range of Open days prior to the closing date of application so that prospective students can have a look. We have been to a couple of open days and they have been good fun. I know a number of intermediate associates and a young lady on the CAT programme at Northern ballet and they all enjoy it and have improved immensely. It's well worth applying. Good luck!

Well we auditioned in Leeds yesterday and now have to play the waiting game. DD is lucky that they are looking for all rounders who can dance, act and sing. Will be chasing the postman again in March!

Thanks for the link, this is right up my daughters street - looks like we will be heading to Leeds this weekend to do the audition.

Got to say I placed an oirder on Tuesday and recieved it Thursday. Everything was present and correct. Can'[t complain at that kind of service.

I love your tutu's Sheila and always keep up to date on Facebook. Do you do commissions without fittings as living in the North it would be a long journey? DD will need a new competition tutu in the next few months.

My DD will have to live off pizza, soup and chocolate cake - those are the only things she knows how to cook! Despite all our best efforts they will learn by trial and effort and if all else fails they can always call home!

You must try "The Hundred Old Man who Jumped Out of the Window and Disappeared" by Jonas Jonasson. What a fabulous read encompassing humour, a view of historical events and an elephant names Sonya. What more could you want in a book! It is one of those books that you start reading with some trepidation as to whether you will enjoy it and then by the end you are sad that it is finished. Loved it!

Wonderful friends to laugh and drink wine with. I feel blessed that I have a few of these !

Just finished "The woman who went to bed for a year" by Sue Townsend. A fabulous comic read about a woman who decides not to leave her bed one morning and the consequences of her actions.