children

So today was the girls’ big gymnastics debut.  I feel a little behind on the whole organized sports/activities at 5 and 7 but really, they haven’t begged to do anything and if they aren’t 110% in it, why spend the money?  Since they both seemed ecstatic about it back in December, I forked over the money for 8 weeks of lessons and two new leotards and there we went.

The good news?  My frugalness patience paid off because both the girls had a BLAST tonight.  None of the shyness showed up one bit, even for a second.  It probably helped my face was stuck to the glass the entire time but still.  They weren’t stuck to me and there were no tears.  Well, once there were tears when Emma fell back into a chair in the waiting room but that’s neither here nor there I suppose.

You could tell neither of them really had NO idea what to do but I was proud they were actively listening to the teacher and just following the other girls around them who had obviously been in gymnastics for at least a previous round or two.  Several times I saw a little girl instruct Emma.  Lexi several times went to her teacher when she didn’t know how to do something.  For example, Lexi was trying to do a handstand against the padded wall and y’all, if I showed you the video, I know it would make rounds on YouTube but she kept butting her head into the pad instead of tucking it under before she threw her legs up.  But she kept trying and when the little girl beside her couldn’t help her, she had no problems asking the teacher who was helping other girls do a back bend.  Thankfully, the teachers both seemed very responsive.

Emma did floor work, uneven bars and the long jumpy thing.  They don’t have it in the Olympics so I’m at a loss for names here.  Lexi did floor work, balance beam and the vault.

They were happy to watch each other during the times when their classes didn’t overlap.  Unfortunately I couldn’t get two classes exactly at the same time so if I hang around the gym for both classes, I’m there for two hours!

I SO want to show everyone the video of the two of them.  I can’t help but be so proud of them even if they’re pretty clueless just beginners right now.  At least they’re getting out there and trying.  I just don’t feel comfortable posting a video with about 75 other little girls in leotards.  I did crop some pictures.  They’re bad first because they were all taken behind a glass wall and second because they were cropped so tightly to avoid any other children in them.  Anyway, I hope it at least gives you a little idea of their time tonight.

The four of us are sitting in my office.  I’m working, the girls are coloring and Scott is listening to music on his laptop.  He starts “I’ll Fly Away” by Ralph Stanley…a blue grass rendition if you’re not familiar. With The Recording Connection, anybody who is really in love with music can learn all the fundamentals to music production with the help of a mentor.

Lexi: Why are you listening to that again? That’s your second time!

Me: Yeah, Lexi, let’s show Daddy some real music to listen to.

Lexi: Yeah! Not FARM music.

And no I’m not talking politics!  The girls had their combined birthday tea party with their friends last night.  They had 7 friends join them at the Celebration Cottage at Miss Libby’s for crafts, dress-up, tea and of course cake and presents!  This was a great birthday year.  All the girls were old enough to be left without parents and had a blast together on their own.  You can imagine that 9 girls 5-7 would be almost uncontrollable in a full room of dresses, shoes, gloves, wands, fans, hats and purses.  And an entire other room with jewelry, make-up and hair accessories.  And while they were somewhat controllable, they were pretty excited. 

The only downside I saw about the whole night is none of the kids seemed hungry so actual tea time was probably the least interesting to them and also my camera died right before the cake!  I did what I could though.  In the interest of the The Internet I picked some pictures where the other girls’ faces weren’t in full view.  We still got some decent ones to share!

A new baby.  A clean slate.  No inkling of what this little bundle of joy would bring.

No, we didn’t know that you would be sweet

Or quiet

Or loud

Or shy

Or outgoing

Or charming

All at the same time

We didn’t know that you would love chicken

Or ketchup

Or vanilla ice cream

Or chocolate milk

Or suckers

Or grilled cheese and tomato soup (just to dip it in)

We didn’t know that you would love all that glitters

sparkles

and shines

How were we to know that you would love Hannah Montana

Or iCarly

Or Spongebob

Or Disney Princesses

Or Marley and Me

We certainly didn’t know you would like closed doors

Or closed drawers

Or nifty hangars

Or carpet cleaners

Or Oxi-clean

 

We didn’t know that you would love tights

Or shoes

Or purses

Or spare change

Or bracelets

Or necklaces

Or sunglasses

     

I guess we just weren’t prepared for Lexi.

Little girl, I couldn’t love you anymore if I tried.  Thank you for being you.  Thank you for being Lexi.  Thank you for being my daughter.

I love you.

Happy 5th Birthday, Lexi.