My Gym Trial Run

Sounds familiar doesn't it? 

While we really enjoyed the Little Gym when we went, I discovered that they don't have a time that works for us with MOPS, Bible Study, and Mother's Day Out - all of which came first and are more important to me than a mommy & me gym class. 

STILL I would love to do one, so I did some further investigating and found a similar business called My Gym in The Woodlands (which is where we tried today), and I also have us signed up for a trial class at Gymboree next Thursday. Both of which have times for her age group that aren't 100% perfect, but close enough to make work. 

I think C may have been the youngest, or at least one of the youngest kiddos at the class today. It's amazing what a difference just a few months make - and then what several months make! I think it was good to see the older kids doing the activities. When it's not all so new, I think she will really benefit from the seeing them in action. I also have to hand it to the instructors - they were amazing! Reassuring, helpful, playful, and learned all of the kids' names immediately. Both Mom & I were impressed and pleased. 

Speaking of my Mom, she came with us! They actually let both of us play and interact with her during the class which is like 800 bonus points from my perspective. Clara is a little ... adventurous ... and "staying in a circle" or "following the leader" are foreign concepts right now. My hope is that a class of this nature would make it more comfortable for her to (slightly) conform to organized classes, although I hope she never gives up her zeal for investigation and curiosity :)

Anyway, pictures! 

(Also please note: ALL children are REQUIRED to be barefoot. CB was THRILLED when her shoes had to come off :)

Here you go:

:)

Note where Clara is on the left while everyone else is in the circle to the right. Sigh. 

Thankfully the instructors said that was fairly normal for a first visit since the kids are way more interested in exploring than structured activities. 

See me, Mommy?

There was a giant ramp that led up to a big ball pit that the kids could jump in. It was a big hit. 

Silly faces with Lulu:

Playing on one of the trampolines:

Back to the ball pit!

At the beginning I was wondering what all of these blue strings were hanging from the ceiling. Turns out they are for hooking up lots of swings - a hit with ALL of the kids. 

Train ride! Clara was one of the first to volunteer, but she needed a hand to hold to for security purposes. 

chooo chooo

Music!!

Then they had all of the parents go into the lobby area while the kids worked on socialization, sharing and separation anxiety. I thought that was pretty cool. 

I was actually thinking it would be a disaster since she was already so pooped and hungry, but she proved me wrong and had a ball playing the drums and walking around! Go baby girl! That independence sometimes serves you very well. 

a peek-a-boo look

Since we got to observe, how could I not do a video!?

Then they brought out the bubbles - OH BOY! :)

I wish I could describe the facial expression and noise she made when she spotted the bubbles for the first time, but I simply couldn't do it justice. She was just mesmerized and so excited.

I'm not sure what they did last because Clara was starving and unable to have any more fun. Oh, toddlers :)

Coincidentally I was also suuuuper hungry, so we walked next door to Coney Island (that might not be the name, but it's something like that) which was unfamiliar to all of us, but thankfully had more than just hot dogs!

I just think this is a funny picture of Lulu & Clara. I was close to fainting at this point so mom was awesome and carried the squirt for me. 

A blueberry frozen lemonade? Um, YUM. 

(Although her expression doesn't seem like it in this picture, she was actually quite a fan.)

Strolling back to the car. 

This is what I saw upon arriving home, ha. I was easily able to transfer her to her crib - barely even noticed when I removed her shoes. Soooo sleepy!

It was a fun trial run, and thanks a million for your help, mom!

Final thought: there's really nothing like marathon vomiting with a toddler around to supervise. Sheesh.