Parents Day @ Gymnastics

Gymnastics has been tons of fun this spring. Tessa loves putting on her leotard and bouncing with her new friends. She has learned various skills including forward roll, handstand, safety stop, walking the balance beam, spider, and more. Usually I watch her from the second floor observation deck. But, on parents day, Ryan and I got to watch from front row seats on the gym floor. Her teacher Miss Shawna was very patient and sweet with the girls. I love how she seemed to give Tessa a little extra attention. Of course, Tessa would turn on the charm, hold out her little hands and say "I need help please." Who could resist? During testing (yes they test 3 year olds) Miss Shawna was surprised and impressed by how much Tessa could actually do by herself. Tessa did awesome and got high praise not only for her gymnastics skills but for listening well too. I am so proud of her!

After each class, Tessa runs out to me with rosy little cheeks and proudly shows me her stamp. And the whole way home she chatters about this or that from gymnastics class. She has fun and that's what counts. We can't wait for summer session to start. Here's Tessa running through one of her "circuits."

The down side of any organized activity like this is that one pushy overbearing mom who feels the need to criticize everything. WOW - did that lady drive me nuts. I just watched in amazement as she freaked out b/c her daughter wasn't doing well in testing. But when she blamed my child for being a distraction the gloves almost came off. I pointed out that she was mistaken, my child was sitting quietly no where near her kid. She backpedaled about Tessa but continued to go on and on about everything else. I just looked at her and said "they're three years old." Sheesh lady, it's not the Olympics! And yeah, there was a part of me that was thrilled when Miss Shawna made a big deal that very day about how great Tessa is right in front of this mom.