We had gymnastics this morning, and it went a little different than usual. They called for Ansley's class, and Ansley saw the "big" girls (three-year-olds) going to their class, and wondered what it was all about. I said that was the big girl class, where their Mommies drop them off and watch from the side. She said "Can I go do that now?" Inside, part of me laughed, and part of me cried. I just can't imagine that my little girl is big enough to go to a class on her own! So as we continued through her 
class, where she is almost a year older than most everyone else in it, she kept wistfully looking over at the "big girl" class. So I enrolled her in that class, starting next week. I hope that she really meant it, and will be excited to go! We'll see. :) In her class this morning was another almost three year old whom I hadn't seen in the class before, and I watched her and her mom come join the class a little late. As soon as the mom proceeded to help her child up the mat to the first activity, the little girl just lost it and started screaming and crying, making a *huge* scene. I've never seen anything like it. The mom tried to coax her for a couple of minutes, and then started smacking the little girl on the thigh, which of course prompted her to stop crying and do the activity. No, no, of course not - the little girl starts screaming more, and the mom starts slapping more. It was the saddest thing I have seen in a long time. I was trying not to stare, wondering if there was something wrong with the little girl, or more importantly, something wrong with the mom. Ansley kept looking and asking "What's wrong with her, Mommy?" and I didn't know how to respond. I didn't know what was wrong with her. I don't know why a girl of almost three would pitch such a fit over gymnastics, and I don't know why a mom would react that way. At one point the mother let go of the child and walked away, into another room. To regain control? Cry? Calm down? I don't know. And the little girl continued to cry. After about 20 minutes into the class, they both ended up leaving. I asked the instructor if she knew what was wrong, and she said she has been coming here for almost 6 months now, and does the same thing every time. So sad.
In about 30 minutes our neighbor, Stephanie, is coming over to babysit Ansley while I go get my hair done. I always feel so much better after having it done. I told Ansley when she went down for her nap that Stephanie would be here while I got my hair cut, and she said "But I will be sad." When I asked her why, she said because I wouldn't be there. I told her that Stephanie would play with her and swing with her, and I would be back really soon, and she thought about it and said "Ok." :)
Maybe now that my hair's done I can get some of those maternity pics on here. We'll see. :)
You never know what goes on in other families. Often many skeletons live behind closed doors.
I am excited that Ansley is ready for the BIG GIRL class.... it is ok to be sad too.
Love the pic. Thanks for making my day!
Love to all.
Posted by: Wendy | July 27, 2006 at 01:48 PM
Considering how Paige often would do that same thing, crying and clinging to me, especially during her very first session of gymnastics (though at only 18months old), but yet thrived in Kindermusic right away- maybe gymnastics just isn't the right activity for that little girl?? I know Paige can be very sensitive and extremely timid to adjust to new settings, but yet with the right activity she does great from the start. Regardless, so sad how the mom responded and even sadder for that little girl. How exciting for Ansley to join the big girl class- keep us posted on how she and you do! :)
Posted by: Desta | July 27, 2006 at 02:50 PM
No photo of the day?
Posted by: Wendy | July 27, 2006 at 04:36 PM
I literally am going to have to take a day off from work on that gir's first day of school, that just pulled my heart strings! Poor little girl...there have got to be some boundary issues there or something. Maybe you could bag up all your parenting books you have advertised on your blog and give them to her...that would be a nice 'would you be my friend' gesture. Totally kidding. (But alas, I do now have the Mr. Roger's 'would you be my neighbor' jingle in my head after I wrote 'would you be my friend'.
Posted by: Ashley | July 28, 2006 at 02:38 PM
What in the world does MM Jersey and MM Phildel mean? Is this something scrapbook I'm not getting?
Posted by: Ashley | July 28, 2006 at 02:41 PM
I have no idea either what MM Jersy and MM Phildel are either... Plain and P-nut, yes.
Tell Little Miss Ansley that the Disney store is my fav too.... I always have to look. Love the glass. Wish I had one.
Posted by: Wendy | July 28, 2006 at 04:17 PM
Hey Ashley, I think they may be types of fonts...., yes?
Posted by: Wendy | July 28, 2006 at 04:21 PM
You guys are making me laugh. Wendy, you are correct! Inside the jars are my foam stamps for scrapbooking, and that is the names of the "fonts" the stamps are (for when you submit pages - you have to tell exactly what you used). MM = Making Memories, a brand of scrapbooking supplies. Inquiring minds want to know, I guess! :) I didn't think anyone would notice it. :)
Posted by: Megan | July 28, 2006 at 07:58 PM
Got your comment on my site- though I'm still waiting to see 'my request' on yours! :)) You also have a great weekend!!
Posted by: Desta | July 28, 2006 at 08:22 PM
Am I still seeing a sore on that nose of hers?
Posted by: Mark & Ashley | July 28, 2006 at 09:07 PM