For a little over a year now Allie has been driving us crazy by climbing and jumping on every piece of furniture in the house. She literally tries to climb the walls as well. We've worked hard on keeping her from doing this at home but we also recognized that she needed somewhere that she was allowed to climb, jump, and tumble to her hearts content. In August we decided to enroll her in gymnastics lessons. Because we were not content with the dance lessons Lily was receiving we decided to switch her over to gymnastics as well.
Getting to gymnastics has been a bit crazy what with a newborn and a crazy one year old, but Russ and I have worked it out. Russ drives straight from work to gymnastics, and I make sure and feed the girls early that night so we can meet him there. Sometimes I just drop the girls off to him, sometimes we switch cars and he goes home with Bree and Char, and other times we all stay. It is a crazy schedule but I love having the girls in gymnastics and they love it too. Each week they come out excited and asking if I saw them do a certain moves. It hasn't been completely glamorous though. Lily and Allie have both found things they are afraid of doing at gymnastics. The bars particularly have been a challenge. However, they are learning to trust their coaches and are slowly improving.
The gym has a very strict policy about no parents on the gym floor during practice. They do this so kids don't get distracted and end up getting hurt. This was always hard on me because I wanted pictures of my girls! However, the gym staff is awesome and unknown to me had thought this through. Each week in December they provide a different activity that parents can participate in with their children. Last week was parents participate in gymnastics, we sadly missed that because of Lily's program. Today was photo day! Parents were allowed on the gym floor to take pictures! I was so excited and got some really fun pictures and videos of the girls.
Lily working on the beam
Allie practicing the vault. They have her jumping on a spring board. The younger girls don't actually get to do tricks(?) on the vault. They just get to practice techniques.
Gymnastics has been good for Allie to learn patience. They rotate through several stations and many times they have to wait their turn to work with the instructor.
The foam pit is a HUGE favorite of everyone's!
Lily learning to do a back bend. With Lily is Coach Pat. She founded the gym and owned it before selling it to her children. She is an amazing lady who has quite a bit of patience with my Lily. She doesn't teach all classes, so I consider us lucky that Lily gets to work with her!
Not sure why they were doing hula hoops, but i was quite shocked to see Allie pick it up and keep it going around for bit. She's got moves that girl does :)
Lily working on vault.
Allie working on her handstand.
Lily working on her backward roll.
