The Little Gym

It has been no secret that I have struggled with if Abby likes dance class. She didn't take to it quickly and still 6 months in doesn't fully participate, has to be dragged in most days, and generally doesn't show a good attitude about it. When we missed for 2 weeks and she didn't seem to care, I told Marcus that I thought it was time to try something different. He agreed. When I mentioned it to Abby, she did not agree.

So, we made a deal with her that we would go back in February and for 4 straight classes, she had to show a good attitude, smile and participate. We have talked about it all week and at dance on Wednesday, she did the best she has ever done. It makes me happy, but is also frustrating that her motivator is me threatening to quit dance. In the meantime I have been exploring options to replace dance.

Friday morning we tried The Little Gym and she loved it from the first minute. Like, she walked right in, talked to everyone, showed off, participated, sang, danced, every bit of it! 

I thought there is NO WAY she is going to do the rings with Mr. Trey. Look at her proving me wrong. She held on, walked up the blue padded wall and ....

even hung upside down. I could not believe my eyes. At one point she ran into another child and was crying, they brought her to me and I thought, "this is it. I'll never get her back inside." She gave me a hug. I asked her if she was hurt or just sad. She told me just sad and then went back inside and got right back to it. She whines and begs not to go back into dance class.

One wonderful surprise of the class, her friend from MDO Makayla was in class! And, her Mom, is Ms. Nicci, Abby's MDO teacher that she loves. Abby was so excited to see her friend in class and Makayla was so sweet to save room for Abby and line up with her as they moved around. 

Ms. Nicci told me that Abby has such an encouraging spirit about her. That we must encourage and praise her often. She said Abby will often tell her (the teacher) good job as she is leading the class. That cracks me up! My love language is verbal so I know I project my love onto Abby verbally!

We are going back to Little Gym for a birthday party next weekend and I think it will be good to see how she does a second time and then we'll decide if we are moving over for weekly classes. It costs a little more than dance so we want to make sure she loves it and it is money well spent!