Sophie - gymnastics

Sophie has been working hard at her gymnastics class and was rewarded with her good efforts today. She passed her Purple badge from Gymnastics Canada. This is badge number 5.

Way to go Sophie! (old photo from June 2014)

CanGym

We are so proud of Sophie for completing her Tan Badge 3 in gymnastics. The badge levels in the Canadian gymnastic system are designed by Gymnastics Canada and allow kids to expand their skills starting at a beginner level and working towards more advanced skills levels. Her coach has been helping her focus safely on the fundamentals and of course having fun! Sophie loves it.

Some of the skills she has mastered include the backward roll down an incline, straight body inverted hang, and glide swing on the bars. Her coach commented on how Sophie is always smiling. She really does have a good time there.

In other news, it is a sure sign Sophie is growing up. While she was snuggling with me tonight she asked me directly if there was a Santa Claus. She said she wanted to know the truth because she just didn't know what to believe. I paused a long time thinking this through. I was thinking to myself that once I told her the truth there was no going back, and one piece of her childhood would be forever behind us. Because she had used logic to piece 99% of the puzzle together, I told her the truth. It didn't seem to phase her as much as I thought. I made her promise not to say anything to Fynn or her other friends or family members who still have the magic place for Santa. She promised, so on we go.

#45

It is my birthday today.

Had a great day, which included the following:

Latte with Vic, Bryan and Patti at Fitzi's before work. I had a nice little birthday cupcake there.

Went to work, where my co-worker Cherie had bought me another delicious latte (she knows me well). Sophie had her final class of gymnastics today, so Vic and I went up to her school for a bit and watched that.

During my lunch break, I had Thai food with my co-workers Julie and Jen and had a great chin-wag. Then back to work for the afternoon, followed by a run with Vic and the end of the day. Then Boston Pizza for dinner, the library, and a movie rental (Diary of a Whimpy Kid) at home.

All good :)

Gymnastics

Sophie's Grade 2 class had a module of gymnastics this fall. It was parent observation day today for the final class.

She really loves gymnastics and has come pretty close to mastering her cartwheel -- much better than I ever did as a kid.

Here are some photos of Sophie. Her little friend Hunter is in the pink leotard.

a happy day

A happy day for many reasons:

- Vic and I got to watch Sophie's class do their final day of gymanastics. It was really cute to watch and to see Sophie enjoying it so much.

- Sophie's hard work paid off as she earned a 5/5 on her French weekly dictee this week!

- Fynn has been in his big boy bed for almost a week and he has managed to stay in, not fall out and not wander during the night.

- My 1998 student loan is now paid off! I got my letter from CIBC advising that I have now paid if off - only 12 years later!

sparkles

Sophie's Kindergarten class has a gymnastics program. Once a week for about 45 minutes, a gymnastics instructor comes in and provides the kids with a fun session.

Sophie has been wearing her shorts and t-shirt but in Sophie's world shiny and sparkly is always better. A few of the girls have been wearing leotards so of course she wanted one, too. I understand Sophie's need at a young age to fit in. While we have pretty strict rules around not giving in to her desires for junky candy and every toy she lays her eyes on, if it is for a sports activity that she is showing interest in, we can live with that.

So, she is now the proud owner of a new gymnastics suit. It came with a matching scrunchie which, of course, made it all the better. Fynn has been receiving gymnastics "lessons" from his sister all evening.

I Can

At times, Sophie can be the poster child of "I can't".

She tried it on us during skating last year (and we persevered, and she finished two sessions).

She has been very keen to take gymnastics this spring. All has been going well until today, her final session. She and her little friend Jacob were fooling around in front of the door to the gymnasium before class started and unfortunately Shawnee, her coach, opened the door just as Sophie was on the other side. Her big toe got hit by the door. Crying and lots of tears, plus a bandaid from Jacob's mom (she's a doctor, too) and hugs from me didn't seem to help. I didn't want her disrupting the class, so I asked her to wait it out by herself in the waiting area while I watched Fynn inside the gym. Half way through the class, I went to get her and she collected herself enough to rejoin the class.

While she missed doing the "rings" she did get some time in on the balance beam and the big trampoline. While it was not without some coaxing, I'm proud of her for coming back to the class and getting her participation ribbon and stamps at the end.

Here's a poem for you Sophie (from your mean Mommy --- you will thank me one day for not quitting):

I CAN, by Edgar A. Guest

Can't is a word that is foe to ambition;
An enemy ambush to shatter your will.
It's prey forever to a man with a mission;
And bows only to courage, and patience, and skill.

So hate it with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed twill break any man.
And whatever the goal you are seeking, Keep trying!
And answer this demon by saying, "I Can!"

Here are a few pics. That's Sophie and her coach Shawnee and the group of kids getting their stamps at the end of class.