They call it a dance recital for gymnastics. E gets to wear a fancy new gymnastics leotard, mom gets to obsessively take a million pictures, and the whole family spends 2 hours in a crowded gym. Elayna had a blast showing off her new skills and we’re proud of how much she’s grown.
What I don’t love is the new gymnastics clothing peer pressure.
When I first called to sign her up for class, I asked the receptionist what she should wear. ‘Nothing fancy,’ she said. ‘Shorts and a t-shirt are fine.’
When we showed up for class, we soon discovered that every little girl was wearing the tight leotard ala USA Gynastics Team. Great. The sparklier the better. Elayna didn’t seem to care that she was the only one in a t-shirt and shorts. I still don’t think she’s cared 3-weeks later when I continue to dress her in a t-shirt and shorts (above picture was taken today. E’s in the pink shorts) But MOM cares. Mom is wracked with fashion guilt.
It does not help that the gymnastics-moms discuss the clothing options and their daughters’ multiple ballet/gymnastics/karate wardrobes. It does not help that her coach mentioned she would move much freer in a leotard. Or that the manager made me put her hair in a ponytail today. All of these things break down my cheap, only-a-3-year-old, she-doesn’t-care-anyway excuses.
Lucky for mom, the gymnastics facility has a section of sparkly leotards. After class today, I steered E over and told her she could pick one out. My eye was on the $15 blue flowered one. E of course ignored my hints and chose the pink $30 monstrosity with the silver sparkles.
Again, great.
So next week we’ll put the new outfit to the test … and officially crack the door open to my new life of competitive soccer-mom-ness. A sparkly uniform: this is how it begins.
Today was Elayna’s last Little Gym class. We’ve been going once a week for the last 6 months. For the most part, Little Gym is a great play-time and exercise…. although I’m learning that Elayna would much rather do her own thing than the actual class activities.
A few examples:
Charging around the room with her hula hoop.
Swinging from the high-bar. She LOVES this and will go again and again if I let her. She’s by far the bravest kid in her class.
Hijacking the ball to play on the balance beam with it. Notice all the other kids are actually playing on the mat.
Resting during bubble-time. What kid skips bubbles?
Getting a stamp on her belly. Thanks Ms Rachel!
Elayna’s last birthday celebration was today. We hosted her birthday party with her friends at the Little Gym this afternoon. Elayna had a GREAT time – she played and played. And she has such a great set of friends to celebrate with!
A few pictures:
Jane with Karis, Jacquelyn with Teddy
In the parachute – Elayna’s favorite.
Nate and MacKensie
Sean, Quinn, and Annabelle. Look at Annabelle’s flexibility!
Cupcakes – yum!!
