Ballet dancer to gymnast

Today we are officially hanging up Sydney's ballet slippers. We enrolled in gymnastics and it's pretty exciting. Sydney has found what she was meant to do-bounce, tumble, jump, and roll.

Last week we checked out the gymnastics center with the usual suspects, Cole and Samantha. The place is awesome! They have three huge trampolines, a foam pit, and well, everything else a gymnastics center needs. Really- I can't get over the trampolines, they are the coolest things ever! Sydney did really well last week and we went back today to make sure this is really what she wants to do before we cancel her ballet enrollment. Umm yup, it's what she really wants to do.

She caught on quickly to everything teacher Annie showed the kids, she listened and followed directions, and she wasn't shy. Now that is a biggie because even in soccer she wanted to hold my hand half the time while kicking the ball. She was so into gymnastics that she could have cared less whether I was there or not. For the first time ever my child didn't wait her turn until I had to say two times, "Go ahead Sydney, your turn." She just went for it each time, even cutting in front of kids she was so excited. The teacher demonstrated the activity and Sydney immediately did it. The teacher was testing her a little bit and showing her things to do and Sydney did them pretty well. The only thing she couldn't quite pull off was the splits in mid air while jumping on the trampoline. Maybe next time. LOL. My kid is absolutely in her element and I have to say that although she liked ballet and soccer, she LOVES gymnastics. The ballet class was definitely a great starting point though. Today on the balance beam the teacher was asking Sydney to do kicks and point her toes which she did easily. She did this in dance class so it's nice to see this carry over and the teacher seemed to appreciate the fact that she had prior dance instruction.

After class I asked teacher Annie if Sydney should stay in the 18 month-3 year old class since this was new, or move up to the 3 year old class. She told me that Sydney is doing really terrific and she is a great listener who follows directions so she is ready for the 3 and 4 year old class! Wowzers, this is big time. So tonight we came home and practiced her moves-she needs to be ready to roll with the big dogs-the 4 1/2 year olds! Although really, every night is tumble and jump night at the O house. We just had more fun things to do.
I am so proud of my girl. It's so fun to see your child do something they absolutely love in life, not just something they just like.

Eat your heart out Mary Lou Renton....
Olympic Gold Medal Winner, 2020

Jumping on the trampoline. Check out the kids behind Sydney, they are on the super long trampoline that ends with the foam pit. (the green squares.)