There's almost nothing I love more than watching my toddler dance. My daughter will get down to anything, ranging from her father's classic rock vinyl to the techno music on a car insurance commercial. Last week, we had her first “parent-teacher conference” and learned that she's doing just fine learning how to use a spoon, drinking out of her own sippy cup and peeing in the potty. However, I also learned that she has a nickname among the Montessori school teachers and it's “Flashdance.” Apparently, she will break out into a wild improv dance anytime, including when the school hosts classical music in the courtyard or someone drives by thumping their bass.

Her dances range from what looks like a chicken flapping its wings to a bum-bumping rumba. Occasionally, she gets so enthused that she falls down on the floor and continues from there with a little breakdance. Every time I see her do this, I stop worrying about meeting developmental milestones, or whether I have the right parenting philosophy and just think that this is what life and parenting should always be about: Pure unadulterated joy.

And that's part of why I love hosting Bookmas free summer kids' events. Just this morning, I got to watch about thirty toddlers dance and sing-along with Tony Norris' kids' show, while wielding their balloon animals and “fighting” with their balloon swords. One mother came up to me after the show and said “my daughter just said 'I love you mommy'. What she meant was, I love music, balloon animals and face-painting, so, thanks for this!” Lucky for us mamas, the little ones really aren't that difficult to please! Regardless, I think we all have a few things to learn from the uninhibited toddler Flashdance.