Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Nearly Wordless Wednesday: Bodies in Motion


This was Sunday-- Monkey's end of year gymnastics show. Her last year as a "civilian."


It's Level 4 in the fall, complete with team leotards, matching warm-up suits, and, and this is the key, actual trophy-awarding competitions. It also comes with nine hours of practice a week, starting in September, and twelve a week July and August.

She couldn't be more thrilled. JD couldn't be more ambivalent-- it's a lifestyle, admittedly, and he's not looking forward to being sucked into it. I am deeply philosophical. She's been waiting for this, working for this, for years now. She's having a ball, and she is learning all kinds of things any kid, and more so a risk-averse by nature kid, could really use in life. And did I mention that she's loving it? If she ever stops loving it, if it becomes a chore, we'll walk away, grateful for all she's learned and all she's become. In the meantime, my feeling is you go, girl!


Right now, though, we have half a week of no school, no camp, and JD out of the country again. So tonight we are leaving on the jet plane too. Destination: half (ok, more like a third) way across the country, my parents' house. I was promised some alone time, by which I mean time with my computer. I hope to put it to productive use, both work- and reader-wise.


P.S. The Cub began making his acquaintance with gym equipment this weekend, and so far he seems to like. Since he might find himself spending a good bit of time there, I am declaring it a good thing.




Reminder: if you are inexplicably missing some goats already this week, remember that Friday, and your opportunity to set your personal oppressed animals free, is just around the corner.

12 comments:

JW Moxie said...

Your kids are gorgeous. You GO, girl. (that one was for you)

Magpie said...

Terrific pictures. She looks like she loves gymnastics.

k@lakly said...

Oh, he's so big I can't believe how quickly we are coming up to the big one year mark. Good luck to Monkey on her future climbing and swinging adventures:)

Julie said...

I actually GASPED — in caps and everything — when I got down to the picture of the Cub. And I haven't seen what Monkey looks like, but taking Charlie to his weekly gymnastics class, which takes place concurrently with some older girls' classes, has acquainted me with what she must look like in motion.

Amazing people, your little ones.

Betty M said...

Wow they expect a big commitment from kids in gymnastics! She looks like she is having a good time though. I have also been cross I never learnt how to do impressive tumbling.

Anonymous said...

Look at the muscles on her! Gymnastics does give you quite the workout.

Enjoy your time with your parents.

Hope's Mama said...

Beautiful kids Julia. My god, he's so big now.
xo

Unknown said...

I'm impressed at her hard work - and thank you, what a treat to see them. I'm glad she loves it.

Tash said...

I think them loving it is the key. That and keeping a mindful eye on the "lifestyle" that surrounds it (I keep seeing the reed-thin ballerinas coming in for their older classes when I'm there with Bella and thinking, nope). We haven't hit upon a love activity yet. I hope we find one soon.

niobe said...

I love that first photo.

ZM said...

beautiful pics! And yes, i can see JD's ambivalence. But if she is focused and happy, and the effort is sustainable, well...

Bon said...

she looks like she's good.