Dance and Gymnastics

Addison started Dance and Gymnastics this week. The format of the class is 10 minutes of tap, 10 minutes of ballet, 5 minutes of free dance and 35 minutes of gymnastics. She's been participating in gymnastics since she was 9 months old and has benefited from it in more ways than I ever imagined.

I first got started at The Little Gym when Addison's Early Intervention Specialist recommended I place her community classes to strengthen areas in which she may be delayed due to her prematurity. I loved the place from day one.

I guess I can't be certain, but I really believe that the gym helped Addison walk at 13 months (adjusted age: 11 months), which is pretty unusual for such an early preemie. I have also been told that Addison has really good arm strength, especially for being such a little peanut. It has enhanced both fine motor and gross motor functions. And finally, I think involving her in structured group activities at such a young age has helped her tremendously in the social arena and gaining independence. So, there you have it....my sales pitch on TLG!

Anyway! When I was looking around for a dance company to place Addison for ballet, I was left with some hesitations. First of all, I don't think my daughter is the most graceful little girl and am not sure ballet is her thing. It certainly wasn't a "sport" I excelled in and so far, it's been "like mother, like daughter"! Second of all, Addison LOVES gymnastics. Between school, soccer, mom's club, all the other extracurriculars we have going on, and leaving time for some at-home R&R, I didn't think both ballet and gymnastics would fit into our schedule at this time. I was excited to learn that TLG had a class that combined both dance and gymnastics. This will give Addie an opportunity to decide what she likes best. Well, maybe. When I asked her what her favorite part was, she said, "ALL OF THE PARTS!"

Tap

Ballet

Free dance

Gymnastics

Chase also started gymnastics this week. He is polar opposite of his sister and will undoubtedly take some time adjusting. He spent the first half of the class staring towards the speakers in which the male voice and music were coming from, saying "dada", and the other half of the class glued to me. This will definitely be a good opportunity for him!

The Little Gym Show Day - Beasts

Addison graduated from her Beasts class at The Little Gym. Beginning in the fall, she will be a SUPERbeast! I really could have moved her up a while ago (before she hit the age in which they move up) because she's mastered all of the skills they've learned thus far, but I wanted her to finish the semester with her class.

They had their show day on the 9th. Gammy came to watch this time and Addison really enjoyed showing off for her.

Front roll (somersault)


The bars are her favorite. She's really good at getting in the pike position and is already trying to flip (scary!)


Getting her medal with her FAVORITE teacher, Miss Amber. This is Addison's 4th TLG medal!


Addison with a couple girls from class, including her best friend, Rae.


We tried to get a class picture, but a lot of the kids (mostly the boys, go figure!) wouldn't sit still, so this is only half of the class.

The Little Gym Show Day

The fall/winter semester ended at The Little Gym last week and just like in the past, they put on a "Show Day" during the last class of the semester.

My friend, Tara, took Addison for me. I didn't want Addison to miss out and I think Tara enjoyed seeing the little munchkin in action. Fortunately, one of the other moms took some shots of Addison for me! I am very blessed to have so many of my friends and family who have come together to make this time a little easier on me. All of these seemingly small favors are more meaningful than anyone could imagine.



Walking on the air track


Accepting her medal. She now has 3 to display in her playroom!

Little Gymnast

Addison's favorite activity at The Little Gym is the bars. If she was allowed, she would hang and swing on the bars for the entire 45 minutes of class every week.

The hardware on our kitchen drawers are long bars. Guess who I have caught hanging from these a couple of times. (Hint: It's not Wrigley or Dustin.) I think Daddy might need to install a bar somewhere in our house before winter arrives. Do we have a future gymnast on our hands?

Show Day

Last week was my last week of Gym for the semester. Just like last semester, we had a show day where we perform many of the things we learned. Daddy came to watch and I showed him all my techniques. (Excuse the horrible quality of pictures. We had our camera on some funky setting and the fluorescent lighting just does not help!)

Let me show you, too!

Sitting on the mat. Now, that is talent!

Hanging from the bars. I hang for a really long time!

Walking on the beam.

Dismount!

We use the bells for our welcome song and our goodbye song. Two of my favorite parts of class!


Clapping to the music.

Just being a goober.

Accepting my medal (and looking thrilled about it). Notice I am wearing it like a sash!

Class picture.

Show Day video

Backwards roll

Forward roll on balance beam

Hanging from bar

Swinging from bar

Jumping on springboard

Accepting my medal

Show Day Pictures

Here are some more pictures from my show day at The Little Gym.

These bubbles are fun!

Whoa Nellie!

I love pushing the big hot dog.

Accepting my medal.

I can't read yet, but I think it says First Place.

Oh who cares what I placed, I love my medal!

And someday I am going to have more medals and trophies than my Daddy...even though he has hundreds!

But, I bet he didn't get his first medal at one year old!

Show Day at The Little Gym

Today was the last gym class for the semester. That means it was our show day! Daddy came to watch me and see all the things I've learned. I really loved having an audience. Thank goodness Mommy enrolled me in the next semester because I don't know what I would do without my gym class!

See below for videos of some of my performances from today!

Moving to the music

Bars

Land Surfing

Popping bubbles

Walking after bubbles

Walking in class

Tuck on Beam

Tuck and Roll

Accepting my very first medal

Dancing Bunny

Mondays are gym day at The Little Gym. This week was special for a couple reasons. First, I moved up to Birds. I used to be a Bee but Mommy and my teacher thought that now that I am getting around so well, I should move up a level. Birds go up to 18 months and though most of the others are independent walkers, there are a couple of us who still need assistance. It won't be long and I'll be keeping up with those walkers! I really like being a Bird. I think I am going to learn a lot from the older kids!

The second reason today was special is because it was "wear your costume to class day". Mommy thought my flower costume was a little cumbersome and would prevent me from easily moving around, so we improvised last minute and threw together this little number. I guess I was a dancing bunny. Cute, huh?




One unfortunate event did happen today. Mommy put a tear in her first pair of designer jeans. They did have a good 6 year run, but Mommy was still sad. Daddy said maybe Mommy shouldn't crawl around after me in her nice clothes. Daddy also wanted me to pass along the message to the person who introduced Mommy to designer jeans back in 2002 that you owe Daddy like 9 million dollars. That would be you, miss EJH. :)