Gymnastics

When Kade was younger, we had him in a weekly gymnastics class. He loved it...and we loved taking him, as Caton and I both thought that it would help build his overall athleticism (body awareness, core strength, balance, flexibility, etc.)...not to mention it was a release for all of Kade's energy.

So upon investigation of a few of the places here in town, we have decided to enroll Kade in gymnastics again...at the same place that we have had his birthday parties for the past two years.

Last night was our first class. And although I thought that Kade would be too big for the Parent/Tot class...he seemed to have a ton of fun, got some great exercise, and was a very good listener to his teacher. He was the only boy in his class...but that didnt matter...he loved every second!!!

They started the class with and over/under game...going over and under the balance beams to retrieve a nerf ball at the other end of the gym.

Kade was the first one over and back every time!!!

Then they went to the floor and "made their pizzas" i.e. stretched. Here they are "spreading out the dough"...

...then patting the pizza down...

...they also pretended to be butterflies. Kade said that he was an "oransh one." Then she had them see if they could smell their toes...and Kade could...Caton could not...

...they tried the bridge position...and while Kade could push up into it, he couldnt quite get his head off the floor...

...they crab walked across the floor...

...then they went upstairs to a scaled down version of the big gym. There was a lower beam, some low rings and bars, some mats, and a small climbing wall. They also began to learn how to do a cartwheel...


...and they learned how to do a wall-walk hand stand...even Caton got in on that fun!!!...

...she also had them try a bar pullover (with assistance)...

...and allowed them to play on the rings and the high bar...

...then they went back downstairs for some trampoline work and more beam action...

...they walked forward, backwards, and sideways...and Kade could do all that too!!!...

...lastly, she took them over to climb the ladders on the wall...

and to hang/swing from the bars...

Overall, it was a great class. The instructor kept the class moving and the kids engaged...not having to wait around for their turn on something. Then at the end, they each got a stamp and a piece of candy. Kade wanted to know if we could go back tomorrow and do it again...so we assured him that we would be back next week for another class!!!