Gymnastics Class & My Summer Schedule

Today was the last day of gymnastics class for the current school year. We started our Friday morning class way back in September and stuck with it all year. It’s amazing to see how much both Tiny and Buba have learned and grown from this experience. They’re definitely both stronger and more spatially aware than they were when they began the class last fall. And they both appear to be more confident when trying something new. They love all the coaches they worked with throughout the year, and are both very excited to begin the summer session (which starts Tuesday!)

Here’s my little daredevil riding the rope swing one-handed and then upside down.

Buba loves the rope swing too…

but he’s always preferred jumping off of things (like that big yellow platform behind him).

Thanks so much for the comments you left about whether or not to put Tiny in the advanced four year old class or not. After T and I discussed it, we were all set to just leave her in the regular three-year-old class, but then one of the coaches pulled me aside today and again encouraged me to let her move ahead. After a bit more explaining, it sounds as though there may be an advanced 3/4 class, where she would not be the only 3 year old, and that there is an all boys gym class that meets at the same time (so I wouldn’t have to take Buba at a separate time). I’m still waiting for a bit more information, but at this point, I think I’m leaning towards the new options. The only thing really giving me pause right now is that the class will be at 1pm, and I’d prefer a morning class so as not to interfere with nap time. But it’s only once a week, and who know if they’ll even be napping in the fall. I really hope so, but I already consider myself lucky that they’re still napping at this point.

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My “me” thing this week wasn’t something super great. I didn’t splurge on anything new, treat myself to a massage, or leave the kids with a sitter so I could go off and do something on my own. But what I’m considering to be my “me” thing this week involves my summer schedule. Last summer, when I set up my tutoring schedule, I was seeing kids at all times of the day 5 days a week. I took on too many kids and too many hours. I was constantly going from one place to another, and it was really, really exhausting. So, this time, I set up some parameters around my tutoring schedule: 1) I will only tutor in the morning. 2) I have a set number of hours that I will work each week. Once my hours are full, I will not take on anymore students (and I only have two hours left to fill!). 3) I will not schedule tutoring sessions during my power dance class. This, I think, is one of the biggest gifts I am giving myself this summer.

So far, I’ve managed to stick with all three rules while scheduling my summer students. It means that I’m starting my sessions some days at 7am (Ugh!), but at least I know I’ll have all afternoon to be with my kids as they enjoy time with friends and summer activities.