Gymnastics at the YMCA

This summer both Rosemary and Ben took gymnastic classes at the Y. We originally just signed Rosemary up, but Ben asked to take them, too, and it sounded like a good idea so we signed him up for a session.

We just did a month of lessons so that we could take the entire month of July off and have one month of the year where we didn’t have to run around to get someplace at a certain time.

Ben was in the preschool class.

Doing a forward roll

The girls hanging out while Ben is in class.

Walking backwards on the beam.

It was so fun to watch Ben in this class. He was so enthusiastic and obedient. You could tell he was just having a blast.

Rosemary initially started out in the beginning gymnastics class, but we moved her up to intermediate after the first week which proved to be more challenging, but a better fit. Rosemary has no fear on any of the equipment.

She was the only student in her last day of class.

Jumping across the beam.

On the uneven bars.

The YMCA

I feel it would be remiss to go through the entire summer without any mention of our local YMCA. We spent so much time there this summer. We watched our kids blossom in their swimming skills and all just thoroughly enjoyed the membership. We swam in the day, at night, took advantage of the gym (and the childcare), and Rosemary did a gymnastics class. Some weeks we swam almost every day. And it’s just a few minutes from the house.

As Rosemary and Ben’s swimming skills improved, so did my confidence in taking the three kids swimming on my own. Earlier in the summer I would drop Charlotte off in childcare, but when Rosemary was big enough to take her swim test I decided to see if I could handle all three. And it worked out! It was also nice that there were two lifeguards on duty so I really was never alone.

Relaxing a bit before heading home.

And a few pics from Rosemary’s last gymnastics class.

I could see an improvement in her gymnastic skills over the summer. And it was fun to take them during a summer Olympic year.

First Week of School

This week was busy. Not sure if all will seem so full (I’m kinda hoping not, but thinking that they will). Here’s a look back.

Tuesday night Rosemary started back to ballet. I was very surprised by her decision. I really thought she’d choose to continue with gymnastics but she said she wanted to do ballet again so that’s what we’re doing.

Here Rosemary is with part of her handwriting assignment for the day.

For one of our art projects for A Pair of Red Clogs we made paper dolls wearing kimonos. The directions are available here.

For the most part I’m really happy with how the first week of school went. Rosemary is an eager learner. She just really enjoys it so that has really made it much easier. She has certain things she does NOT like, but we’re working on having a cheerful attitude about all things (or at least not voicing all of her opinions!) The hard part isn’t teaching Rosemary, the hard part is doing it while parenting Ben and Charlotte and keeping all the other things we’re committed to going. Kind of like juggling, just with a lot of different balls.

On Thursday Rosemary went to her last gymnastics class of the summer. Even though it was just a few weeks, I think Rosemary really improved and she certainly enjoyed it.

On the balance beam. She’d drive me crazy on this and deliberately fall off. Crazy girl!

To wrap up the week, since we learned about Japan we took the kids – all of them! – to Yamato for dinner on Friday night. For the most part, it went well. Ben freaked out when the chef lit the hibachi grill on fire. Rosemary covered her ears during that part…I have no idea why…it’s not like it’s loud. And Charlotte would not sit quietly in her carrier and insisted on being held during dinner (which is somewhat rare at this point). I was seated beside a couple on their first date. I’m sure they loved sitting by our crazy family. And it was super awkward as the guy kept putting his arm around his date and she kept checking her phone. Wow. What an evening!

The kids played with some new Cars 2 cars they bought with birthday and piggy bank money.

And Rosemary actually liked the food!?! She loved eating the shrimp, rice, and noodles with her chopsticks.

So overall, a great week, but busy. Think this might be a glimpse into what the year might be like.

First Day of Gymnastics

We’re in the midst of the marathon ballet rehearsal and recital week, but Rosemary started gymnastics today. To say she was excited is an understatement.

We got there early to make sure we knew exactly where to go and waited for the other kids to arrive. None did. She was the only kid in the class. For some kids, that might not go over well. Not the case for Rosemary. She thought it was the best thing in the world to have the two teachers and gym equipment all to herself.

She did really well though. Rosemary has very good body awareness (there’s probably a term for that)…like good balance, spatial awareness, and just picks up new things pretty easily when it comes to how her body needs to move. Those of you who know me, know that she completely gets that from Jonathan.

Hopefully we can get her in a class with some other kids. Ben would love to join her, but he’s still too young for the class. Almost though, he’ll be three in less than a month!