Bouncing off the walls (or, you know, the couch)

This week we did something I hope we don't live to regret: we enrolled Sweet'ums in a gymnastics class.

To be fair, it's not an uneven-bars-balance-beam-floor-routine type of class at her age. Mostly, it teaches them stretches, safety, and some basic moves. There were three girls besides Sweet'ums in class. Two of them seemed to take a liking to her. The other little girl who was there was just off in her own little universe. During the snack time they have at the end of class, one of the little girls, MK, asked Sweet'ums to sit with her. I thought it was the cutest! The other girl to took a shine to her, C, let Sweet'ums hold her froggie (one that is absolutely identical to one Sweet'ums has) during class. Apparently, if they have trouble jumping the teacher encourages them to bring a stuffed friend to help.

So not only did Sweet'ums learn to do flips, jump on a long trampoline, and to "stick it", she also made a couple friends.

My baby is growing up!

Though it seems counter-intuitive, we actually put her in the class for the sake of our sanity. She had started doing tricks on the couch--jumping up in the air, kicking her legs out in front of her, and landing on her bottom--so we thought it was time to put her someplace where she could let out some of that energy and learn some safety too.

The people at the gym are nice. Her teacher commented that she listened very well for being a first-timer who isn't in daycare. She incorporates preschool-type techniques in her class like putting on their listening ears and teaching them to stay in line. She mentioned that a class like hers is good preparation for preschool (you know, just in case) since it teaches them some of the basics and plenty of structure, but still allows for some free play. The other parents are very nice too. They're chatty enough and seemed to be pretty welcoming to us.

It was a lot of fun, and Sweet'ums seemed to take to it easily. Next week should be easier, I hope, and I'm really looking forward to it.