Gymnastics!

Today was the first day of Bean's gymnastics class. I went into this today with a heart full of dread and I was prepared to have to take a bawling, nervous, stubborn wreck of a kid out of the gym. Why did I think this? HUM....because for two days, all I had heard was whining and crying about how she did NOT want to go. Leslie and I put the smack down and told her that she was going, that it would be okay, that she would have fun and that was then end of it. We told her this not once or twice but many, many times.
So today we pull up to the place and get out of the car. I noticed that as she and I were walking in, she was kind of chatty and walking fast. We go in and change her into gym clothes and she heads into the gym and promptly freezes up. OK, I did not panic, I remained neutral and upbeat as advised by my wise husband. Well, after a few minutes, I could tell that she was aching to join but,still feeling a bit shy. What is a Mom to do? I'll tell you, she takes off her shoes and socks, cuffs up her jeans and gets in line with about 7 three to five year olds and gets ready to take her turn through the obstacle course even if it means feeling and looking a bit silly, that's what. Lo and behold, I felt a little hand slide into mine and there she was, Bean in line and joining in. After that things went pretty well, she took a turn going through the hoops and off the spring board, she joined in for stretching. Eventually, she looked at me and said "ok Mama you can go now", I quietly bowed out of the activity and let Bean finish her first day at Gymnastics all on her own. Now she is all talk about next week and giving the "big arm finish" for EVERYTHING and she is giggly and proud. Who knew that a simple gymnastics class could make me tear up?