Little Gym!

As an active family who loves to be outside running, riding, jumping, sliding, the winter is particularly hard on us. There are only so many visits to the mall for coffee that one can do without going crazy (or spending money). Additionally, Kate has started to do "flips" on her Pottery Barn chair... on the hardwood floor... which makes me cringe a little every time she does it. SO... we decided to give Little Gym a shot. You know, a giant padded room where she can run crazy for an hour and perhaps hone her motor skills at the same time. Needless to say, it was a HUGE hit. Kate smiles a lot, but the sheer joy in her face was fantastic!!


We started out on a big red mat, where we sang a song and played with bells. The idea is that you warm up as a group and then you get to explore the gym. Parents are asked to stay on the mat if their kids wander off and explore to set a good example.

Yeah, after bells, Don and I pretty much warmed up on our own. Of course going in I was sure that MY child would stay with us and not wander the gym. WRONG!




When they broke out the parachute she came running back! Can you sense the chaos in this photo. It's a lot like herding cats.


After group time it was free play... so she continued her exploration.

Balance beam.


They teach 3 skills per class. Today it was forward rolls, swinging from bars and jumping off of a stack of mats and landing on their feet. Kate was pretty confused. This is certainly not the way Mom and Dad taught her to get down off of high places!


Bars. She does this in her closet, so nothing new.


We end back on the big mat with balls, bells and bubbles. "I pop them with my finger!!" she says.


Happy, Happy girl.


It was a blast and we promptly joined the gym before we left. A few things that we learned about Kate today: 1. She isn't afraid to explore on her own. 2. She's certainly not much of a follower, but does listen and follow the teacher's directions quite well. 3. Can you say free spirit? 4. The thrill of turning/running in circles has not been lost. 5. She is no longer intimidated by groups or other kids. 6. She's such a fun girl to spend a Saturday with. (ok, we might have already known that).