Raising Anna Claire

Thursday, June 6, 2013

VBS

Anna Claire has thoroughly enjoyed VBS this week. Although she insists on calling it PBS (I guess like "PBS Kids"?) We have both explained to her that it's "VBS" and she looked at us like we were crazy, so PBS it is!

She has come home each day telling us about their crafts like making a necklace and making a jar. She also has been eager to tell us about their snacks: sweet and salty popcorn, and popsicles. She was so proud of her stamps and stickers each day for being a good listener.

I have noticed a sweetness about her this week, which could be VBS related. I do believe God rewards us when we honor him, so maybe our reward is her excellent behavior. She has been absolutely precious all week and has gone out of her way to be helpful!

The VBS T-shirt has been very important this week (you can see it in pics at the end of this post). After picking her up on Monday, that was all I heard, that she really wanted a VBS shirt like her friends. I tried buying one at the church Tuesday and Wednesday, but they were out. I finally called Lifeway where the church got them, and they were able to have when shipped to their Clarksville store from Nashville for her by Wednesday afternoon. She was so excited!

I was able to see AC's water games at "PBS." They had to fill a giant sponge with water from this bucket...

Then run and squeeze it into this bucket. Then run back to start, like a relay.

This is Anna Claire with Mr. John. She came home talking about him everyday this week.

The four-year-old teachers all used jump ropes to keep up with their kiddos when walking them from one destination to another. Notice the outfit - AC refused to wear regular clothes on water day when we told her she could get wet. She insisted on wearing her swimsuit and cove-up and that I bring her a change of clothes for after. :)

The kids reached their goal for offering, so the directors of children's ministry kept their end of the bargain and got slimed. And this was not green Nickelodeon slime either...it was a yucky brown color. Kudos to them!

Anna Claire was so excited about her VBS performance. I think she developed a fondness for being onstage at dance recital last week - no stage fright for this girl. ;)

Anna Claire and her sweet cousin Carolyn.

Not the clearest pic in the world, but I love how excited they look to get their red glowsticks from their teacher since they are the "red group" of 4 year olds.

Waiting for their turn to perform.

Anna Claire and her friend Parker (right). Parker's mom and I did yoga together while we were preggers with these two.

On the "big screen" at Hilldale

Pop came! She was so proud.

Monday, June 3, 2013

"Gy'nastics"

Anna Claire loves, loves, loves gymnastics. It is just about the best 50 bucks I spend each month.

Gymnastics isn't just something I put my child in for fun or to keep her busy, although it does both of those things. My eyes literally well up with tears each week as I watch my little girl progress and I'll tell you why.

Anna Claire didn't start walking until 18 months. And it's not because we didn't work with her. She had all of the walking toys, we stood her up holding onto our fingers, gave her Exersaucer time each day...all of those things. But she was a little knee-walker - it was just her preferred method of transport.

We took her to the doctor about it and also consulted with a physical therapist. I was worried if and when she would ever walk, and about what damage months of walking on her knees would do to her in the long run.

I patched the knees on all of her jeans and pants for months, and worried about her daily knowing that the outdoor play area for her age group was pavement.

Gymnastics has leveled the playing field for my child. She was the only girl to score a goal in soccer last week, and just wrapped up her first dance recital where she held her own with all of her classmates. I truly credit Action Gymnastics for giving my child the gifts of coordination, confidence, and mobility to move her in the direction of being on par with her peers.

Bars

I noticed the other day when Anna Claire was running across the yard that she has super-toned biceps! I am thinking this is why! She is getting so good at bars - pulling herself up, holding herself up, flipping... In the middle pics she is grabbing stuffed animals between her legs then tossing them into a hula hoop in front of her. :)

Getting so much better at beam. I am so impressed with how much these girls do with my baby in an hour. She is so much more comfortable on it, and gets that she needs to focus!

I just love this pic!

See this sweet girl on the left? I was her daycare teacher years ago!

I love how they celebrate accomplishments! When kids finally master a skill they've struggled with, they get to ring the bell!

Anna Claire with her daycare and gymnastics buddy, Amelia!


Her favorite: side to side jump on trampoline!

Character Matters.

Mom brag-time:
I have had 3 people approach me in the past couple of days to tell me what a polite and thoughtful little girl I had. One even said AC restored her faith that there really are kids out there that are sweet to other kids. If there is any area we want her to excel in, it's in her character and treatment of others! Proud :)