My little Olympian

This summer we knew that we would need something inside to help keep Ryleigh entertained, give her a learning opportunity, and let her run off some energy. So, as soon as she turned three, we enrolled her in a "tots" gymnastics class once a week.

She was a little hesitant at first, as she always is with new things or people, but warmed up pretty quickly. The class is 45 minutes long and consists of group stretching and then three different stations where they split the kids into smaller groups of three or four.

Now, a couple months into it, and Ryleigh LOVES gymnastics. She talks about it all the time and counts down until "Wes-day" when she gets to go to class. And truthfully, she has learned a lot! I have noticed a significant improvement in her techniques in only a few months!! No, I'm not trying to raise an Olympic athlete here, for those who might be concerned that we are pushing her. Yes, it was our idea, but if she hated it, we would certainly stop! The thing I wanted to get out of the entire experience was the "class" environment, where she was a part of a group, learning how to do things, listening to a teacher, and figuring out how to make her body do what the teacher showed. And as far as I'm concerned, she has already mastered all of that! She does very well paying attention, watching what she is supposed to do, and then trying to mimic the action. I have been very impressed with my little gymnast so far!

I attempted to covertly take these pictures last week, while also trying to not be that Mom, so bear with the poor quality.

The most difficult part of the whole ordeal has been trying to keep this little man entertained for 45 minutes, while not letting him crawl all around trying to join the older kids flipping on the trampoline...

Ryleigh's favorite activity so far is the trampoline, followed in a tight second with the balance beam. She does well with the different floor exercises they do, the vault, and hanging from the rings.

Overall, we are very pleased with everything, and plan to sign her up again for the Fall session. Like I said earlier, as long as she is having fun, then I'm all for it! And hey, if she should happen to become an Olympic athlete one day, well then I'll proudly sit on the front row, camera in hand, and then I wont care one bit who thinks I'm that Mom.