Random Fun Facts All About Me

Today, I am going to share with you, my readers, some random facts about me that you may or may not know. Another blogger friend of mine did this on her Instagram page, and I thought it was a neat idea. So today is Fun Fact Friday (with a little fashion).

1. I am a mother of four crazy, wonderful kids. 

Yes, you read correctly, four. This seems to surprise almost everyone I talk to that I have 4 kids. As crazy and chaotic as it is, I wouldn’t change a thing. I love watching them play together and see the bond that continues to strengthen. Of course, sometimes they fight and can be difficult to control . And the WHINING…..oh the whining. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. My 8 year old, Emma,  has a special talent for it. They are lucky they are so cute. Somehow, it worked out perfectly for us and the two oldest are girls and the two youngest are boys. We are even steven over here at the Wagner’s.

2. I trained to be a professional ballerina

I spent my childhood dancing every single day of my life. At the age of 11, I took a bus from middle school, by myself, an hour away to Contra Costa Ballet to train. After a year on pointe, I auditioned and was accepted in to New York City Ballet School, SAB (School of America Ballet) in New York City. I spent multiple Summer’s there as a teenager in the Julliard dorms learning from the greatest teachers in the World. My roommate one year was even Elizabeth Moss, from MadMen and I took class alongside Jessica Simpson’s sister, Ashlee. I will never forget all of the great memories I made and still talk with friends I made there to this day.

3. I had MAJOR spine surgery last year

In a nutshell…..I was diagnosed at eight years old with Scoliosis. While in NYC, during ballet class at 14, my ribcage twisted and my rib popped out my back. I was bedridden and sent to physical therapy. Once I came home from New York, I saw an orthopedic surgeon who told my parents my S curve had progressed too far and I needed surgery. My parents, in denial at the time, declined it and opted for a back brace that they never made me wear. Years later at 33, after 4 kids, my body just couldn’t take it anymore, my curve was now at 83 degrees. I had severe arthritis and kyphosis and the longer I waited the worse it would continue to get. I had surgery to fuse 14 levels of my spine. I suffered serious complications and ended up with a spinal cord injury affecting my left leg. Four days later, I also needed a bowel resection surgery where they took 15 inches of bowel. There are too many complications to even list and I was there for a month. I still haven’t regained full use of my left leg yet even after a year of physical therapy but I continue to push forward. For more information you can check out my other blog dedicated to this, Scolimom.com.

4. I own a ballet school

Once professionally dancing went out the window due to my condition, I couldn’t just give it up completely. My mother had a dance studio for 25 years and when she retired, I took over. It has become difficult to continue on with this, but I am determined to dance again. My new body and leg have made it a challenge, however, I have never backed down from a challenge in my life. I have approximately 125-150 students and many of them I have taught for 12 years and will see graduate this year. We do two performances a year at the local theater and I handle it ALL along side my husband who is my music man!

5. I LOVE to eat!

If I could choose a favorite past time after dancing and shopping, it would be eating! I have an extremely high metabolism that has it’s pros and cons. I used to hate being so thin growing up. I was teased daily for it at school. Once I had kids, I grew to love it. With surgery, I lost 20 pounds and it took me a year to gain it all back. That was tough. My favorite thing to eat is seafood. I could eat lobster, crab and shrimp every day of my life. Someday, I want to retire next to the ocean just so I can eat these things. When I was little, my parent still tell everyone stories of how I put sour cream on EVERTHING. I am still a big fan of it but have toned it down just a bit and only put it on things it should be on now.  “April, do you want some baked potato with that sour cream?” is what I heard growing up.

Outfit Details:

Dress  | Sea New York (Strapless version on SALE)

Hat  |  Preston & Olivia

Sandals  |  Joie

Bag  |  Free People