*sweet moment*

Mia started a gymnastics program today. It's a very large gym, with real equipment-- uneven bars, balance beams, etc. Several older girls were doing some impressive things.

Anyway, when she starts new things she tends to get very intimidated and nervous. Today was no different. She went in with her friend who is doing the same class, and within minutes was in tears and wouldn't try anything.

So we sat on the side as they did mat warm ups, then split into groups and did trampolines, then tumbling, and last- uneven bars. We followed her group around, and I have to admit I was feeling pretty frustrated with her. Where did all these perfectionists come from??

There were 3 coaches, one an oldr man who was really kind and talked to her throughout- even though she was being completely uncooperative. He was running the bars group. Near the very end of class, her group came to the bars. In my opinion, the hardest, most intimidating thing. Eli went up to Mia, who was sitting in a tight ball, and stuck his little face in hers and said,"you can do it Mia. Are you going to do it?" He repeated it a couple times in his sweet toddler way. A minute later the nice coach asked her again if she'd like to try. To my surprise, she got up there and did several bar exercises with the help of the coach. She did great.

Mia is so cute with Eli at home. She really is a liitle mother to him most if the time and gets him snacks, teaches him, plays with him-- and he mimics her every move. It was so sweet to see that she didn't want to let him down- and that it took such a little voice to give her the confidence she needed to try.

Thanks, Eli. You did something the rest if us couldn't do today.
-mommy

(Mia spent the rest of the evening practicing all the moves and stretching so she can do them next week. Crossing fingers...)