Gymnastics Part II

Our Evie may be tiny, but she is strong, flexible, and coordinated.  We have seen many of these qualities since she was an infant.  She appears to us to have natural talent as a gymnast.  She took her first gymnastics class last summer.  Frankly, it didn't go well for any of us.  Evie was timid around the instructors and she clung to me all the time.  I vowed never to do a mommy and me activity with Evie again.

Since Evie continues to jump off the couch, hang on the door handles, beg to go across the monkey bars, and do somersaults in the grass, I figured it was time to give it another try.

This time I opted for a legit gymnastics gym in Columbia.  Forget cost, forget 6 week rec class, I went straight to a full year of gymnastics.  Once I started processing that, I regretted my decision since Evie didn't seem excited about it at all, commenting she would do it when she turned 5.  (She seemed ok with it until I said I wasn't with her this time)  But this class is on Wednesday mornings while Braylen is at school.  When will Evie be able to do a morning class again?  Never.  We're doing it.

Week one seemed like a repeat of gymnastics part I: peeling Evie off of me to go with her class, her standing there doing nothing while the rest of the kids played with balls.  I nervously watched her while eyeing up which mom in the waiting area could be my friend.  Thankfully Jesus took the wheel providing Evie with a fabulous instructor who managed to get Evie to follow all of her instructions for the rest of the 45 minute class.  Her class of 6 three and four-year olds were darling learning the "freeze" dismount move.  And mommy made a new friend who reassured me that not all the kids in the class have been doing gymnastics since birth.  Praise the Lord!

Evie asked all week if she had gymnastics that day.  She was eager to go back.  Week two brought a wardrobe upgrade and mommy breaking the rules to get some video of Evie in action.

Looking super cute in her newly acquired leotard

I am seeing a side of Evie I have never witnessed.  I only know what she is like around me.  Take me out of the equation and this girl can follow directions, sit patiently, and complete a task even after messing up.  I love watching her learn new skills and seeing her smile after she does it.  I think our instincts may be correct on this one; gymnastics is for Evie.