I wasn't going back after last Thursday, I swore to it. I'll honestly say it was epic, the whole place knew we were leaving early...then she cried about it the whole way home, breaking my heart in a billion pieces, "Nastics, please! Go back nastics, please?!". We weren't going back.EVER. I didn't even want to write about what a quitter I was, so I didn't mention it. I was going to pretend it never happened. As the week went on and Thursday slowly crept up, I went back and forth with myself. It's only 3 more classes...yeah, 3 more classes of HELL. But, she does have fun...ugh, its so damn stressful! Maybe it will get better...I carried a full blown tantruming toddler out last week. She's brilliant and just has high energy...this really isn't the place for that. She IS the youngest in her class, with the most personality...but it's probably distracting the other kids. Let's not forget the epic tantrum! One woman in the lobby even said, "Well, that's annoying."...she was lucky my big pregnant ass already looked crazy or I would have turned around, oh I would have, but I kept my composure and reminded myself it wasn't worth it.
Oh, I forgot to even mention what started this epic blowout. I was not letting her climb up the equipment instead of down. Yep. That's it, proper use of equipment violation gone terrible wrong. She kept looking right at me and doing what I said not to do, so I pulled her out of class to talk about it...she just got upset and didn't recover. So stupid, right? It's kind of funny what can be so upsetting to a toddler, especially a hard headed, independent one like ours.
So, as the week went on and I thought about how much I hated being a quitter, I formulated a plan. Obviously, the whole warm-up/stretching activity is not stimulating enough for our girl...so I would arrive 15 minutes late, as they were finishing and the races were starting.
Well, I got up this morning, said Happy Hellnastics Thursday to myself, I kid you not, and calmly started to get ready. When it was time to wake Madeline up, I asked her if she wanted to go to
We arrived to a much bigger class than usual, just when I wanted to...the last stretch. She didn't run over to the equipment, instead she helped me stretch. Then, it was time to run/race, she stood on the line and waited for the whistle THREE times. During gym time, she ran like she loves to do, but then she also used every piece of equipment.even the one that the other kids were tumbling down. She looked right at me and used the equipment the right way. I was praising her so much that it probable sounded like I just got a new puppy. She did not play duck, duck, goose...but seriously, show me a two year old that has the patience for that..really, I'd like to see it. Then, it was parachute time. She held on, shook the parachute, waited to be told she could go under, sat down on it nicely while all the Moms pulled them around in circles. I almost cried right then and there, seeing the little smile on her face as she was sitting on the parachute nicely and listening. I waited though, I waited until I was in the car and calling my husband. I was just so happy that we both finally enjoyed ourselves. [[pregnancy hormones much?]]
I wonder what happened. Did she remember last week's horrible experience and have some sort of toddler revelation? Did she just finally get the knack of it? Was it because it was a larger class and there were actually high energy kids like her? Did she bump her head this morning? Did someone switch our child over night?? Really, I NEED to know why today was so different. I'm not saying that we will not be back at square one next week, but I think I would be ok because I will cherish the enjoyable gymnastics experience we had this week. HAHA.
Anyway, it's been a terrific Hellnastics Thursday, let's hope the rest will be similar, and our good listening gymnast was treated to "the hopcorn store" afterward! hehe.
Time to finish my Thank You cards....I'm the worst. I am SO very appreciative of gifts, but the absolute worst at the Thank You card situation. Better late than never. Maybe the cute picture of Madeline inside will make everyone forget how late they are!
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