The Promise of a Medal...

Well, finally gymnastics is over for the year! (Taking the Summer off) YAY! Well, "yay" to me at least! I really don't enjoy having to be somewhere at a certain time every week. You'd think I would as much as I plan, but not the SAME thing the SAME time every week. Plus it's at 4:30 pm and JC can be at a pill at this time. But, the promise of a medal at the end kept her going! And her teachers were great about getting her "into it" once we were there. They even obliged her and call her by her "nick-nack name" which is "Pecan." I think it's funny they all remember to call her this. Anyway, I know it was worth it to be working on those gross motor skills and getting some fun exercise! I am sure we will be back after the summer.

And in swim news the girls have been promoted - a BIG yay! Actually We did Pike, were promoted to Eel..then the teacher tells us they aren't ready to move and and should stay in Ray. What?? We were supposed to be in Eel not Ray and apparently they combined some classes and moved the girls up with out telling me OR the instructor, so I think he thought it was crazy they were in Ray this session at all. BUT, they rose to the occasion in my opinion and to me staying in Ray is actually a promotion since they were supposed to be in the class just below it! This is a big deal as we had a very slow start of getting the girls to go under. And honestly because of the great progress they made at the Round Rock YMCA we won't be doing lessons anywhere else. We have tried lessons at a couple of places including other YMCA locations and we are most pleased with Round Rock. For the money this is where I would try first for lessons if you are looking. Obviously the level mix-up wasn't so great, but the instructors really did a great job. They were fun and the girls really got to know their teachers and feel comfortable with them. It's about learning while having fun and the girls always wanted to go back even on the days they didn't want to go under!

Misrepresented

I feel my JC has been misrepresented. I have always described her as confident, spunky, energetic, outgoing, hold her own kind of girl. (Everything I've ever said about her being incredibly bright is ABSOLUTELY TRUE, let me be clear!) But, I have suddenly discovered she's shy in a way that effects those other characteristics! What??? People who are close to her probably would never say that - I wouldn't! I just put her in her first ever class alone - gymnastics. She wanted to do it. She was excited and thrilled and happy. She had to be gently pushed in, then I watched as a different child emerged! I don't think she'd ever been without me OR JM with that many kids! She needed a lot of encouragement to stay in there, then she needed a lot of encouragement to participate, and she barely spoke! This is my girl who could spend an hour practicing flips over my legs! And she certainly talks as well as some four year olds. Wow, was I shocked.

I actually think she was shocked by TWO things..Lots of people, and NO JM! She lost JM, her security blanket for the first time! Well, she doesn't usually have JM in Sunday school class, or the gym, but even there she has a special bond with ONE teacher and if that teacher is not there she's sad. So, she absolutely gets connected to people and depends on them in a way I didn't realize. BUT, isn't it great she insists on gaining a trust with someone before being thrown on top of the parallel bars?! haha I do love that she makes deeper connections with people.

Part of me hates this gymnastics class because I think they don't give the kids much personal attention. BUT, JC says she likes it despite her "stand on the sidelines a lot" attitude about it. I have seen improvement in her there though. She is starting to show initiative in getting in the line to go where you are supposed to go. And she can do some of the skills better, that she was once hesitant to try without assistance..(and of course they weren't keen on assisting which was annoying me because she needed to build her confidence a little first with some help- IMO.)

Perhaps it's just the big group and a new activity, but I have definitely seen a new side of JC. However, that said.. I am proud of her persistence and willingness to keep trying it. She IS fearless, she'll be fine! I think it's something she knows she'd enjoy if she could feel comfortable being in this setting independently. She will.

So is she still: confident, spunky, energetic, outgoing, hold her own kind of girl? Totally! But now there is MORE to this amazing child! And to think, I get to watch it all unfold. Lucky me!

Gymnastics Finale

In case you didn't know in January we switched from dance to gymnastics to try something new. Last day of gymnastics for JM was today. They run through a lot of skills the kids have learned this year. I think this has been good for JM. Much more active than dance and really makes her work at paying attention and following directions.

All I have to say was this little gymnastics demonstration and medal handing out was WAY easier on the wallet than dance recitals with frilly costumes!! We haven't decided what activity we are going to do this summer or in the fall yet besides swim lessons.

JM with her Coach J.