They grow up so fast! HGTV star Erin Napier shared a rare glimpse into her family life on Instagram, posting a heartwarming photo of her daughter Helen’s sixth consecutive first day of ballet. The Home Town star, who is careful about maintaining her children’s privacy, captured the moment with Helen facing away from the camera—showcasing the same embroidered ballet bag she’s carried for years.
Quick Answer:
Erin Napier shared a rare photo of her daughter Helen’s sixth first day of ballet on August 25, 2026. The Home Town star posted the image on Instagram, showing Helen facing away from the camera with her hair in a bun, wearing a red leotard and white tights. The sentimental post highlighted the same white bag with Helen’s name embroidered in pink that she’s carried for all six years.
The Sweet Tradition
Erin Napier posted the rare photo of her daughter Helen on Instagram on August 25, captioned: “Six years of first day of ballet, same little bag.” The post featured two photos side by side—one from the current year and a second showing Helen six years younger.
In the current photo, Helen wore her hair in a bun and had on a red leotard with white tights, her white embroidered bag sitting on her back. In the throwback photo, a much younger Helen wore her short blonde hair in braids and a light pink ballet outfit with a pink skirt. The bag that once nearly overtook her whole back now sits comfortably as she has grown.
Fans React
Fans quickly flooded the comments with nostalgia and amazement at how quickly Helen has grown.
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“My little is 14 this year & still carries her ‘ballerina bunnies’ bag (that she’s had since pre-school) to dance. I offered to buy her a new, more ‘grown-up’ one… but she just looked at me like I offended her. Watching them grow sure is bittersweet,” one fan shared.
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“No ma’am…. There is no way them babies are this big! Awww,” another commented.
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“Aww so sweet how the bag has gotten smaller as she’s grown. They grow up so fast,” a third added.
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“How sweet, hard to believe 6 years!” a fan said.
Erin’s Family Life
Erin shares her daughters—Helen, 8, and Mae, 5—with her husband, Ben Napier, whom she married in 2008. The couple, known for their HGTV show Home Town, have been homeschooling their daughters since 2025. Earlier this month, Erin shared end-of-summer photos featuring Ben and their daughters, captioning the post: “August weather is gonna try to kill us next week so let’s look at the pleasanter moments shall we?”
The post included glimpses of their homeschool setup, the girls’ schoolwork and drawings, Erin French braiding their hair, and the family enjoying backyard picnics and reading aloud together.
Privacy and Parenting
Erin and Ben have been intentional about protecting their children’s privacy, rarely showing their faces on social media. Despite their public profiles, they’ve maintained a relatively private family life while occasionally sharing meaningful milestones like Helen’s ballet tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Erin Napier?
Erin Napier is an HGTV star best known for co-hosting the show Home Town with her husband, Ben Napier. She is also an author and designer.
How old are Erin Napier’s daughters?
Erin and Ben have two daughters: Helen, who is 8 years old, and Mae, who is 5 years old.
What did Erin Napier share about Helen’s ballet?
Erin posted a rare photo of Helen on her sixth first day of ballet, showing her with the same embroidered bag she’s carried for six years. The post included a throwback photo of a younger Helen.
Do Erin and Ben Napier homeschool their children?
Yes, Erin and Ben began homeschooling their daughters in 2025.
Why does Erin Napier hide her children’s faces?
Erin and Ben are intentional about protecting their children’s privacy and rarely show their faces on social media to give them a more normal upbringing.
Conclusion
Erin Napier’s sweet tribute to her daughter Helen’s sixth year of ballet is a reminder of how quickly childhood passes. The simple tradition of carrying the same embroidered bag connects six years of growth, from a tiny ballerina with braids to a confident young dancer. As fans noted, the bag that once overtook her back now fits perfectly—a bittersweet symbol of a child growing up. For Erin, these rare glimpses into family life continue to resonate with her followers, who appreciate her commitment to both sharing and protecting her daughters’ milestones.