'nastics

I put Brinkley in a gymnastics class.
She calls it 'nastics.
I feel gymnastics is a great start to a healthy, active, athletic lifestyle.
I was sick and tired of poor Brinkley being cooped up in the house all the time getting hooked on movies. I want her to be able to RUN around!

Well, we had a rough start.
I signed her up for an 11 o'clock class, but they told me it was full, so they put her in a 10 o'clock class. When we came on the first day to the 10 o'clock class, they informed me we were in the wrong class. She should be in the 11 o'clock class in the small gym.
(The small gym is dorky. It had babies crawling around in it. We didn't want that at all)
They told me it was my fault for bringing her to the wrong class.
They told me she did not listen well enough for this class and that all she was doing was holding her friend Claire's hand (not true.)
The teacher was mean to Brinkley after she found out she was in the wrong class.
(she picked her up and moved her, slamming her down on her bum. it made brinks cry)
And then when class was over the teacher rudely said to me "you know she is in the wrong class right?"

I went home and cried.
I didn't know what to do. I knew I needed to call them and have them fix it, but I am such a chicken. I just don't do stuff like call place and complain.
But I still really wanted her to be in gymnastics.
I called Josh and he told me I needed to grow up sometime and just to call them.
(That sounds mean as I type it out... but it was actually pretty motivating!)

So, I called them. Yes I did.

I told them they messed up and I wanted an apology. I told them to fix the problem. I told them she needs to be in the right class, but we want the big gym. I also told them that I was not pleased with the way I was treated. The teacher was mean to me. And they made me feel like all this was my fault and it was not.
I was bold.
I was brave.
I was seriously shaking and on the verge of tears as I tried to spit out what I was saying.
I may have stuttered a few times.
But I did it!

It worked. They said they were sorry.
I think they were surprised I didn't demand a refund.

The solution they came up with: a 9 o'clock AM mommy and me class.
9 am?
really?
Same teacher. Dang.
Umm. Okay. We'll see how it goes.
The only problem is I have Darcy. My AMAZING neighbor, Bethany offered to watch her and then bring her to me when she brings Claire for the 10 o'clock class.
So sweet.
I love my Pittsburgh friends.

So, you are probably wondering how it went?
AWESOME!
I LOVE the mommy and me class.
I LOVE the teacher (yes, the same teacher that I thought was so rude).
Brinkley is so good at gymnastics.
In fact, Miss Gina has said on numerous occasions that Brinkley actually does a lot of things better than her 3 year olds. :) And that she is a really great listener. She always has Brinkley be the demonstrating child.
Listen to me brag about my child.

She has learned how to do front rolls, back rolls, she jumps on the trampoline like a pro. She has good balance, she climbs on these ladder thingys, she hangs from the bars. The only thing she is unsure of is the balance beams. They scare her a little and I always have to hold her hand. But, yeah. She's freaking awesome. Plus she looks cute in her little outfit.
Her favorite part? The stamp at the end. She gets one on each hand and each foot and her tummy.

And Darcy behaves for Bethany. Phew!

These pictures are from the first day. I don't know why I only photographed the warm up. And I haven't taken any better ones of her doing stuff, because I am now in class with her! I hope to get some better pictures soon. I'll post them when I do.