Kayla's Winter/Spring session of gymnastics began yesterday. So did Alysa's for that matter, as I enrolled her in the baby class. This girl is so patient in the Baby Bjorn every class that Kayla has had since June. It was time for her to get down and run around and climb as well.

So Kayla moved up from the 19 month to 2 1/2 years class to the 2 1/2 -3 years class. Going in, I didn't think much of the change in class. Boy was I wrong to. In the younger class, they let the kids run around and do whatever they want. They do circle time at the beginning and end and do gymnastics moves throughout the class, but there is no pressure the kids to join in. It can be a free-for-all. Well, not the new class. It's a transition class. The next age group for Kayla which she'll go into in September, has no parent participation. So this class she's in now is getting them used to structured activities, staying with the group and focusing more on the activities. And half-way through the class the Mom's and Dad's are sent to sit out in the lobby and watch. Kayla did amazingly well with this change. I had to tell her at times to go sit with the kids, etc. The hardest part for her was the new teacher. Her old teacher is in the class too, but 2 teach it, so she has to get used to him. She loves all there is in gymnastics, so I know after a couple more classes, she'll be fine with the structure, but I'm still not sure about the "me leaving the room bit". We'll see. Maybe she'll surprise me. I will say that I'm excited about the prospect of her next group in September. That is the age when they start to do shows at the end of the semester. :)

And Alysa - well, she just ran around and climbed in her class. She wanted nothing to do with anyone, including me. LOL I think she was thinking "I'm free! I'm free!" There was definitely the attitude of 'leave me alone' coming through. And Kayla, with all her testing and defiance lately, was amazingly well-behaved in Alysa's class. She listened very well and was so good around the babies and young toddlers. I was very impressed with my own child. LOL It was a relief as I was nervous about that. It's impossible to keep Kayla by my side the whole time, so luckily it's a much smaller room - and add to that the Alysa couldn't care less that I was even in the room, let alone if I was by her side. (eyes rolling).

It was a great morning and they both napped well that afternoon. I actually napped also. It is an exhausting hour and a half. Nonstop for all 3 of us. But when I see Kayla doing gymnastics moves by herself that I didn't even know she could do w/o help, it shows me how worth it it is. And of course, Kayla's always so excited to go and tells me as we are getting ready to leave what she plans on doing at gymnastics. Definitely worth it!