back to tumbling

Many of you may recall that Annabelle is our little tumbler. We enrolled her in a little class with one of her friends when she was barely three because it was something fun for her to do, to get wiggles out, to be in a class setting before preschool. 

Some of you may also recall the showcase. My heart still aches a little about it. She was so scared and so brave. That said, after the showcase, tumbling was never the same. It's like she realized how to be nervous. She started to totally come unglued every time we went to class. She didn't want to go in without me, and even with me there, she wouldn't join the class usually. She wasn't loving tumbling anymore. Tumbling - this thing that was hers - had become not fun. She dreaded it, and it broke my heart.

So we took a break. Preschool was starting up anyhow, and I knew that would be a hurdle by itself. Of course, preschool has worked wonders on our girl's confidence and bravery, so when I asked her in December if she'd be interested in tumbling again. She mulled it over, and one day said, "Mom, I want to do tumbling again." I'll admit I enrolled her with about ten gallons of hesitancy. But she insisted. At her first class, she had some nerves, but her teacher was quick to involve her and she started with the class. 

And it has been full speed ahead since then. She's rapidly progressing and having the best time. Her body seems to be made for the sport, and although she's just a baby, I hope it's something she's able to stick with for years. She gets such a sense of satisfaction from it. She's proud of herself, and she thrives on the challenge of every new task her teacher presents. I'll sit behind the glass and watch her teacher demonstrate something, thinking, "Nooooo. She can't do...Oh, okay. She did it." Little known fact: Annabelle is double jointed, and I think many of the tricks come fairly easy because her body bennnnds easy. 

These photos are from her showcase this year. It was held in her regular class room, with just a handful of parents and relatives, which was much more her speed than the big intimidating showcase last year. She zoomed right through her routine; even when she skipped a trick, she didn't let the mistake get her down, and she went back and fixed her routine. She has grown up so much lately. There's really not a single vestige of babyhood left in her. It's both amazing and painful. Either way, we are so proud. :) 

Our tumbler's back. Our house is  back to the regular ruckus of cartwheels and handstands, of falling down and getting up, over and over again. And we love it.