The Little Gym

Climbing on the mat . . . I think I can!

It's a little tall for me just yet . . .

Meet Connor and . . . Connor! Two Connor's in the class!

They all want the bubbles.

Happy Boy chasing the bubbles!

Catching some rays at the pool.

Not sure what Daddy is doing, but Connor was very happy!

Now Daddy is happy and we don't know what Connor is doing!

We signed Connor up for something called the Little Gym. It's a fun place for kids to go where they can further develop their social skills and wear off some of that energy they have. It's not a workout session by any means, but they do activities that help to stretch the body.

At first Connor was a little cautious, as usual, but he warmed up quickly to it. Miss Christy told us if the kids run off the mat, checking things out - let them. It's their way of becoming comfortable in their environment. And sure enough, just like she said, he would always come running back and join the group. Naturally, he wasn't the only one wandering off.

They change activities every few minutes and sing a song at the change of each activity. For example, they will sing "It's time to play with the balls today, balls today, balls today, it's time to play with the balls today, at the Little Gym". They play with jingle bells, balls, bubbles, a parachute (the kids get on it and we spin them around and we also wave it up and down over the kids). Then they get free time to roam the gym and play on the mats, the equipment. Connor did the rings (you know, the ones gymnasts use), the tunnels, the balance beam, things like that. The class is only 45 minutes long, but then we went to Wal Mart for just a few minutes afterward. When we got in the car to go home, he was out in less than a minute. We are considering signing him up for something similar, though it geared more towards music (since he loves watching music stuff on Nick Jr) and is hosted by the Town of Cary. If we do that, he will have the Little Gym and leave and go right to music class and then home for lunch.

As most of you know, he got bit at school last week by another child. I guess Connor had a toy and the other kid wanted it, so he/she bit Connor for it. You could see the mark a day or two afterwards. Didn't break the skin though. But, ever since then he has reached a 'hitting phase". He wants to hit Mommy & Daddy and of course Buddy & Chloe. Poor Buddy just wants to be left alone and all Connor wants to do is chase him. Chloe will play with Connor, but Buddy is the grumpy old man so he is not interested in playing. We're trying to teach Connor to give Buddy his space. It's not working yet. :)

At any rate, we asked the teacher about it and we have some new approaches that we are going to try for the hitting. Just a phase he is going through she says. He'll grow out of it.

He still loves to go outdoors. We've taken him to the pool about 3 times already and of course, our trip to the beach. It's been so hot out though I hate to take him out there. We color on the driveway with sidewalk chalk, swing in his swing, push the wagon or tricycle and sweep. He loves to sweep the garage. He's also showing some signs of being a neat child. Every time he passes a door that is open - he closes it. We know where he gets that from - Momma!

I was in the laundry room last night and noticed that Kevin had left out a pair of shorts and a shirt that both had food stains on them and needed to be treated. I told him now we know where Connor gets his messy eating habits from. He is honestly the messiest eater in his class!

We got the papers that he is moving up to the next class in about a month (around 7/12). I hate to see him leave Mrs. Melinda's class, but I know it has to be done. She has been just wonderful to work with and she adores Connor. Both of his teachers say that he is very expressive - you can just see the joy and amazement on his face when something interests him or makes him happy. And of course he lets you know when he is mad. He's got a little temper on him. If you tell him no to something, he takes his pacy out and just throws it on the floor. Like, HA! Look what I just did. Now what are you going to do about it?? NA NA NA NA NA NA

Not much else going on around here. The 4th is just around the corner and I can't wait to take Connor to the fireworks again. Hopefully he likes them just as much this year as last year. He's really so much fun to be around these days. He runs and plays and interacts so well with us. This past weekend I did nothing but play with Connor and I loved it. I'd much rather be playing with him than doing anything else. And since he goes to bed so early, I can catch up on laundry then! We just love our little boy!!