Jacob's Tumbling Class...


In the Spring Jacob took a Tumbling class which he just loved. He was so excited about every Thursday at 11:00. He was really cute about asking when it was time to go and wanting to know how many more days until it was tumbling class. Jacob listened well and did a great job with trying new things. You're awesome Jacob.

Jacob's favorites at tumbling class:

*Jumping in the cheese
*George of the Jungle (rope climbing)
*Head Stands
*Being with his best friend Rhys

One quick story:

So at the end of class the kids are allowed to jump in the cheese (foamy cubes) ONE TIME. After they had their turn the kids are suppose to go and sit on the mats and wait for Paul (teacher) who would then blow bubbles for them to pop (one kid at a time) and then let the child choose a sucker (but if you wanted a sucker you had to sit and wait your turn and you had to pop the bubbles).

Well it was probably Jacob's second or third time in the class and when it was time to jump in the cheese Jacob just got so excited he jumped in 5 times. He got caught and his teacher told him to go and get his shoes on and that it was time for him to go home. NO bubbles and NO sucker. He said this to Jacob in front of everyone and I could see how sad Jacob felt...not to mention embarrassed. My mother bear reaction jumped in and I almost yelled out "who cares what the jerk says, I just bought a whole bag of them from Costco, you can have as many as you want when we get home." We get in the car and as I'm driving home I still feel bad for Jacob and I'm totally bugged at his teacher. I'm thinking "Who does this gymnastic nut think he is...he can't yell at my son...let him pop the flippin bubbles...and give the kid a sucker...he's only 5 years old."

So the following Thursday arrives and I was waiting to see if Jacob would be excited to go back to tumbling. Of course he was. He did everything he was suppose to do and when it was time to jump in the cheese...oh my gosh it was so funny. He was running around telling EVERYONE "Only jump in ONE TIME or you will not get to pop the bubbles and get a sucker." He was really funny and cute about it. Some of the other mothers there remembered what had happened the week before and we were just laughing. Jacob never again jumped in more than once.

The lesson I learned:

*Don't make a threat of having more suckers than the teacher...Wow!!!
*Take more time on following through with punishment...it obviously pays off!!!
*Forgive and Forget the way children do

I LOVE YOU JACOB...YOU'RE THE BEST!!!