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.

Here are pictures (and a video!!) of Natalie’s 3rd birthday, celebrating family-style!

On Saturday, Chris and Natalie ventured out while it was snow was still falling. I didn’t think she would last too long, especially since it was so cold and very windy. But when she first banged on the door, it was not to be let it, but to ask for her own shovel! As you can see, the snow wasn’t very deep yet:

Thanks to “Great” Aunt Bonnie and “Great” Uncle Ray for the super warm, fleece-lined wool hat!! Natalie calls it her “pom-pom hat.” Here she is when she finally came it, cheeks all rosy:

Sunday we woke up to a sunny day with more snow. Here’s Natalie watching from inside, still in her jammies:

We all gobbled up yummy, fluffy pancakes, recipe courtesy of Jason and Meg:

Then, Natalie got to work making Christmas crafts:

In the afternoon Diane, Clara, and Katie came over to go sledding at the little playground around the corner from our house. The hill there is small, but okay for 3-year-olds. The girls were so captivated by the snow that I couldn’t get their attention to pose for any pictures. And once again, we are the parents who did not buy snow pants for their kid. But no worries, despite all the pictures of her completely covered in snow, Natalie managed to stay warm and dry with lots of layering.

The little hill actually turned out to be perfect—both girls took solo runs sledding!!

Enjoy!

Natalie Ages Two – Three from nataliecaroline on Vimeo.