We replaced Miranda’s beloved tofu with tofu from our Japanese takeout. We couldn’t detect any difference in taste between the two, but Miranda sure did:

When I spoke to the owner before signing her up for the class, I was impressed with their philosophy. He said at this age they are looking for the kids to learn how to take a class, by listening to the teacher and taking turns with the other kids, and gain confidence in being in a new environment. The gymnastics skills are the vehicle through which those goals are achieved. The class also helps kids build gross motor skills.

I’ve been impressed with the teacher, Miss Janette, who is so patient and kind with the kids. Not only does she help break down the skills into easily learned pieces, but she encourages the kids to challenge themselves. At the end of the class, Miss Janette asks the kids to tell his or her parent what their favorite part of the class was. Then the kids all high-five each other, the parents, and their teacher. It’s super cute.

Natalie LOVED it from the moment we walked into the big gym. There’s never been a skill or new activity she hasn’t enthusiastically participated in. She occasionally gets frustrated when she cannot do something perfect immediately, so I am thrilled that the class is helping her learn to be patient and practice. I love watching how proud she is of herself when her hard work and practice results in her accomplishing a new trick.

One of the skills was to jump with both knees together onto the vault. Natalie had trouble getting her knees to stay together, so she practiced over and over again, using our couch as her personal vault. When she could do it well, she was so excited to show her teacher, Miss Janette. When it was her turn on the vault, she held up the line to be sure that her teacher saw her, shouting, “Miss Janette, Miss Janette, WATCH THIS!!!!!”

Now Natalie is more than ready to graduate to the kids only class, and once I go back to work Meema and PopPop will take her to class each week. Luckily I took this video that I can watch since I won’t get to watch her doing gymnastics live each week. The video shows off Natalie’s gym skills, as well as my lack of steady-camera skills!

Fun with weeds!

Ah, the joys of spring! Natalie received a kite as a “goody bag” from her friend Nick’s birthday party. She and Chris took it down to the park as soon as we got home from the party to try it out. Natalie was delighted to see her kite flying through the air, but was also happy to blow dandelion seeds when there wasn’t enough wind to fly the kite for more than a minute at a time.

Story Telling from nataliecaroline on Vimeo.