Future Gymnast?...maybe not so much...

Yesterday I took Sydney to a gymnastics class for the first time. She had been there for a birthday party a few months back, and hasn't stopped talking since about how much she wanted to return, so I thought we'd try it out for a trial class. The structure of the actual class was a little different format from the party, of course, and she had a little problem with waiting her turn to do the different events, and had a hard time paying attention to the teachers instructions, but overall I was very proud of her! She was not timid at all about jumping right into the class, and really seemed to enjoy each station they did.

Poor girl tried her best, but sadly, she just wasn't all that good. I definitely am taking into consideration that this was only her first class, but I do have to admit she comes by it honestly. Poor thing inherited my lack of coordination and athleticism, and Brandon's lack of rhythm, so unless something crazy happens later on in life, I just don't know that she'll grow up to be an all-star of much of anything - kinda like her daddy and me!!

One thing that made me laugh so hard, was watching her try to jump down a long trampoline. They were asked to jump with both feet all the way down, and then do a forward roll on the mat at the end. Well, Sydney has never been a jumper, it wasn't until a few months ago that she could actually jump with both feet off the floor, something I think kids are supposed to be able to do by about 20-24 months! And even then, it only happens once in a blue moon. Instead, she just does a type of gallop, no matter our efforts to try to teach her an actual jump.

So down the trampoline Sydney would go, galloping all the way, and then proceed to do a face plant into the mat. And then climb off proudly like she had just done exactly what she was supposed to! It was adorable, and I was so unbelieveably proud of her for being so proud of herself, even if it wasn't quite what the teacher had asked her to do.

Here's her with her class:

Doing a little back roll:

Here's what you call a quality 'gallop'...

And a little twist in the center, just for fun...

And then, Sydney's favorite activity of the day, the always popular Foam Pit:


Hopefully we'll be able to go back for a few more classes soon, and hopefully she'll be able to pick up a few 'tricks of the trade' and get the hang of this gymnastics business. And if not, we'll still always love our little galloping girl! :)