Gymnast

At the end of his second year of gymnastics.

He's registered already for his third year starting in the fall!  He's quite proud of his progress in gymnastics.  I'm quite proud of the confidence he's gained.  

Exhibition

Freddie' Gymnastic Exhibition was cancelled in January due to our one snow of the season.

His class had a few minutes on the gym floor to show off what they've been learning.  Very low key, which I appreciate.

Last year he was in the kinder group, so they went first and parents were able to excuse themselves to pick up from their teachers, and then we headed out.  This year Freddie sat with his group for the entire show.  All 2 hour of it.  Yawn.  

He was super polite, sat still, and was well behaved.  I wish I could say the same for Charlie and Hans!

So proud of him!

Competitor

Waiting for the vault, his first event 

He's ready

 Freddie participated in his first gymnastic competition.  It was fairly low key, as it was just the students from a few gymnastics programs.

He did have to be there at 7.30 am which is pretty rough for a Saturday morning!

Ready signal to the judge

He was nervous, but excited.

He made friends quickly with kids from other gyms which I think helped settle his nerves.

He did better than I expected.  He only goes to the gym once a week, and many of the other boys are there multiple days.

Waiting for results

But he didn't medal.  Which was tough.  I wasn't prepared for his disappointment.  He was a good sport and held back his tears until we were in private and then he held me tightly and had a good cry.  I couldn't help but cry as well.  It sure hurts to see him hurt.

holding back tears with his participation ribbon

Definitely a life lesson.  I should have known better and prepared him for it.  My boy has chosen individual sports, swim and gymnastics, where one or two kids usually walk away with all the accolades.

   

I'm proud of him for getting out there, and I hope fear of losing doesn't keep him from participating.

Gymnast

I know I've said it before, but I need to say it again.  Freddie really, really LOVES gymnastics.  I also need to constantly remind myself of this because the commute isn't exactly easy and walking those 11 blocks in the snow come February is going to make me grouchy.

Freddie is on the bottom left

He is currently "training" once a week for 1.5, but I have a feeling he may ask to increase this next year.  He isn't the best, or the most aggressive, or the bravest, but he works hard and obviously enjoys it.

His group consists of about 30 boys aged 6-9.  They do some warm up and stretches before breaking into smaller groups to work on different skills and apparatus.  The lead teacher gives the class a bit of a military, highly disciplined edge that I think turns of a lot of parents.  He is very hard on the boys but after watching him with a closer eye it is evident he is also an exceptional motivator and gives praise when deserved and earned.

Lining up by size to listen to coach at the end of class.  Freddie is the smallest and all the
way to the right.

I have many proud mama moments while watching him from the balcony, but the very best compliment ever was when his teacher stopped me on the way out to tell me Freddie was a hard worker, good listener, polite, determined and what "every 6 year old gymnast should be like."  I was thankful Freddie was standing there to hear it.  I tell him often I am proud, but I try very hard to have him understand that I am proud of who he is, not what he achieves.

Freddie vs. The Rope

I thought with moving to the "big gym" with older kids Freddie's in interest in gymnastics may wane as it is more serious and a little intimidating, especially considering Freddie is rather cautious and afraid of heights.  He's not the boy jumping off equipment and doing flips on the money bars at the playground, but gymnastics has given him more confidence in many areas.

And well, I should have known to to underestimate this guy.  He's the smallest and one of the youngest, and doesn't know any of the other boys but he is loving his time in the big gym.  He isn't even intimated by the big equipment.  In fact, he was counting dow the days this week until he got his first attempt on "the rope."

He got all the way to the bottom railing of the balcony and didn't look afraid until it was time to slide down.  I was shocked he was strong enough or brave enough to go that high.  We watch the older boys climb to the ceiling each week, so Freddie's got himself a goal.

Gymnastics Exhibition

The boys' gym had an "exhibition" as a fundraiser and as a way to let the kids show off what they've learned.  Hans' group is too young to participate, and quite frankly it is a toss up as to whether or not he'd like running out to the carpet with all of those eyes on him.  Freddie, of course, loved it.  He said he was "just a little nervous, and SO excited.

I usually watch the kids classes so I typically know all of their tricks, but it was nice to see Freddie as part of this "team" getting to show off their stuff,

Gymnastics has been great for Freddie working through his fear of heights.  He's a lot more comfortable climbing high and playing on playground equipment.

I do realize he's only five and has plenty of opportunities ahead to develop himself, but we've seen increased confidence as well.  Gymnastics is also another example we like to refer to when the going gets tough that hard equals results.  And on top of all that, the kid's getting a six pack!

And a little video of course...

Gear!

Not sure if everyone realizes this but the best part of any sport team is getting the uniform.  Are ya with me on that one?  If not perhaps you should talk to my boys because the t-shirts for soccer and the tall socks and pants for baseball were probably the most exciting part of participating. Freddie, more so than Hans, was a little disappointed that the girls in his class were showing up each week with flashy leotards but he was just in his same old gym shorts.  Oh boy, not sure what my future holds with this one and his new found fashion sense.  Thankfully their gym got in the "team" t-shirts this week so the boys could be suited up as well.  I have to admit that I love seeing them decked out in their gear as much as they like putting it on.

Gymnastics

The last of the boys' "extracurricular" activities has been added to the mix.  They'll both have gymnastics on Wednesday nights.

Freddie has been asking for over a year to take gymnastics but finding something close to home is impossible, and finding something affordable is also impossible.  I really was not willing to take a train downtown and shell out $45 for a 45 minute class.  Last season Hans tried out this gym relatively close to us, well when the weather is nice I consider it to be close but trudging through the snow will be a whole other story.  He enrolled in one of their classes mostly so I could check it out before signing Freddie up, since the commitment is yearlong and the fees are paid in the beginning of the year in one lump sum.  It was a great experience for Hans during the few months he tried it and I decided to take the plunge and register both boys in June for the upcoming fall season which is just now getting underway.  Both boys' classes filled quickly and I felt lucky to get a spot.  I also feel relieved that they both are LOVING it.

Not only was it a big expense, it is a big commitment.  We spend two hours at the gym with their back to back classes on a Wednesday evening.  It means a "late" night coming home and getting into bed.  For us, that means the boys are in bed with lights out about 8.20pm.  What can I say, we're early birds and they need their sleep!  Hopefully we get into a groove and can manage this one late night a week.  It's a great work out for them, something they'll need come winter when we're indoors a lot.  Their teacher is also rather tough and has high expectations for behavior, effort, and respect which is also something I appreciate.  Nice for them to get some practice in discipline and self control in another area.

Freddie on the cargo net.  He did make it to the top but quickly scampered down.

Freddie is the only boy in his class which doesn't bother him one bit.  His biggest challenge is going to be his fear of heights.  I saw him struggling with his fears on the cargo net and on a piece of equipment they call "the bridge," which pretty much resembles playground monkey bars which they walk across.  I wasn't able to get any photos because the parents are not allowed in the gym, and I have a feeling they'll soon be closing the curtains.   Hopefully I can get in a few photos and updates on gymnastics soon!