There are a lot of great things about Ali being the old age of three.
No more cleaning poo out of diapers is most definitely towards the top of the list…
Full and total communication – also nice (although sometimes it might get a bit TOO full and TOO continuous-ad-infinitum for my taste, but no need to be picky.)
Also fun is listening to her sing all of her stuffed friends to sleep every night via the baby monitor…her varied repertoire including Old MacDonald, Twinkle Twinkle, James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James, Jesus Loves You, and Rihanna’s Umbrella…
But the latest and greatest discovery that I’ve made about this awesome age is her new big-girl Gymnastics class.
You see, once you hit the mature age of three, you’re no longer in a Mommy and Me class.
Which means that I no longer leave gymnastics every week completely frazzled, exhausted, and frustrated by trying to desperately beg and bribe her to participate properly in her class.
My job now is to….sit. On the observation deck, a whole floor away from the action. And watch. And take photos if I like. And stay out of the way.
(Insert Huge Sigh of Relaxation here.)
So when it’s time to stretch, the teachers have to convince her to sit and stretch.
And when it’s time to do jumping jacks down the trampoline, I don’t have to try and convince her to not do bunny hops, or backwards jumps, runs, or whatever-it-is-that-SHE-wants-to-do-right-then…
When it’s time for rolling, THEY get to help her…
And even when she has to take a break and go pee – nope, not my job to peel her sweaty-won’t-come-off-without-a-tub-of-greased-lard leotard off. It’s the teacher’s job.
And balance beam – no more holding Mommy’s hand just because it’s there, refusing to let go even when she could easily do it on her own.
And….wait a minute…why is she being so much more cooperative with them than she ever was for me?!?
And why is she SMILING SO BIG about this new arrangement???
Apparently, I’m not the only one who prefers Me Without Mommy classes.
That is a BIG step Rachel! What a big girl Ali is becoming.
I love all the photos with this post, especially the airborn shot and the big smile.
I've always thought parents should just rotate kids every couple of months because they behave so much better for others!
That's awesome that Ali's doing so well in her new gymnastics class!
She did great…And I'm so glad for you (and me) that this arrangement is working out so much better. It's gonna be a fun year. Averi is already asking me when she gets to go back…
My daughter usually behaves better for her teachers than for me too. God bless 'em!
Jackson always cooperates better with other people than he does with me. At least we know that we're not alone!
I loved when I could finally sit and not have to participate!! It's a much deserved rest.
That smile just makes me laugh! I'm sure it has nothing to do with you, she's just becoming a mature toddler!
I love three too! It really is a wonderful age.
When did it happen that she's big enough to do that? Stop her, Rachel!!!!
Such sweet photos.
My little girls also both LOVE gymnastics and I also felt such a relief when the "Mommy And" part faded away for Julia and she was able to do all the activities on her own.
Sophia is not yet three, but some of the things you mentioned are starting to happen. For instance, she's fully potty trained and that rocks.
Somehow kids just know….they know that Mamas will put up with more so we get the challenges.