Brecken's Gymnastics Class

Brecken is in his 3rd week of gymnastics at Mini Hops Gymnastics Studio in Hopkins. He was definitely a little timid at first, but now feels comfortable and seems excited and happy to try out new equipment and moves each week. We've been going to Saturday classes mostly, so Eric and I have both been going with him. In the next several weeks however, B and I are signed up for weekday classes. Knowing that this might be my last time to snap some photos of him as a little gymnast, I decided to hang back at the door and snap pictures while Daddy helped with his tumbles.

Every class starts with the kids finding a certain shape or a line to sit on. Part of the routine is for the kiddos to listen to the coach so they understand what they will be doing. Based on the first week, I didn't know that Brecken would ever get it. He now sits quietly and says, "Listening time :)"

A few warm-ups of running, backwards walking, leg stretches, butterflies, etc.

Most of what they do is set up like an obstacle course. They listen as the coach tells them and models for them 3-5 activities. After the coach has explained it, the kids can start wherever they'd like in the obstacle course but must always go in a circle.

Stepping on his colors, and naming them as his toes touch them.

Climbing the mountain to go down the backwards stairs...

Climbing the stairs to go through the tunnel (which Brecken LOVES tunnels!)

Brecken loves walking on the balance beam and can go both sidways and forwards. He can even usually do it without mommy or daddy's hand!

Trying out his "front scoots" on the balance beam! This was a new (very fun!) move we learned today!

More tunnels...

A favorite each week is climbing up the rock wall to slide down the slide. Weeeeeee!

Both coach's have said that Brecken is "very strong" with the bars :) Hahaha!

Tummy rolls with the bars...

Brecken got to pick an animal (he picked giraffe of course) to put on the bar and then he got to KICK the animal with his toes. HOW FUN!

"Cheerio bars"

This is where Brecken holds onto the bar and walks his feet up the wall. He LAUGHS and LAUGHS while doing this one and can walk all the way above his head. As you can tell, at this age, parents are always supposed to keep their hands on their children to prevent injury :) Brecken really does do most of the work though!

The bear walk!

Uneven bars...

Whenever we go to a new section of the gym, the kiddos always have to "have a big person's hand." Again, Brecken has been doing great with listening AND FOLLOWING the directions! Here, Daddy and B are heading into the big gym...

THE PIT! This place is super fun, as it is a hole in the ground filled with large styrofoam blocks. It is actually quite a work out as the blocks suck you right in!

The end of every class is getting our hands (and usually feet too!) stamped with a brightly colored teddy bear (or as Brecken calls it, "Tubby Bear") stamp. He wears this with pride the rest of the day.

Before class is dismissed, everyone gets to stand up and do a "ta da!" with their hands up high in the air. Needless to say, we practice our "ta da's!" several times throughout our day, not only when we are in gymnastics class :)