all on their own

Yesterday we went to a birthday party for our neighbor, Quinn. Quin turned 4 years old, and she had her party at a place called Gymquest. She takes gymnastics classes there, and thought it would be a fun place for her party. I think she was right!

Basically, after the parents each signed a waiver that pretty much said Gymquest won't be liable if their child is maimed or killed while at the facility, they all lined up and were led into a big room. Now, I thought this was gymnastics, I thought they would teach my children to tumble or something, but it was more of a fun-zone with gymnastics equipment.

There were two separate pits just filled with big soft foam squares. The kids could make a running jump off a spring board into the pit, or they could swing on a trapeze over the pit and then let go. Once in the pit, they could climb up a big rope all the way to the ceiling and then let go. They could also do tricks off the uneven bars, do a flip, and end up in the big pit of foam.

There were also trampoline floors installed around the room. If you weren't paying attention, you could really surprise yourself as you walked across the room. I've decided I would love to install a small trampoline floor in my kitchen, right in front of the sink. I think it would be nice to bounce and wash.

There was a HUGE double slide that is blown up by compressed air, you know the ones, like the big jumping houses you see at carnivals. The kids had to climb up a rock wall side to get to the top, and then they could slide down this huge slide.

There were also balance beams and horses and rings, standard gymnastics things, but as if the kids paid any attention to that.

So, the party goes like this: the parents sign the waiver and their kids troop into this humongous room where exactly one staff person keeps an eye on them all. The parents are supposed to go upstairs to the observation area and stay out of the way. But, because The Boy is not yet 3 years old, a parent was needed, so I got to go in and join the fun. The Babe ran off in a shot, and I didn't see her for a bit, nor was I worried. I spent my time bouncing with The Boy on the trampoline floor or just following him as he watched the bigger kids play. There were 24 kids at this party, ranging in age from 1.5 years - 7 years old.

The Babe finds me and she wants help climbing up the rock wall so she can go down the slide. I look up, and I see that all her friends are already at the top, no help needed, some of them are smaller and younger than her. I know The Babe can do this, but she has confidence issues. I want her to do it all on her own, so I tell her I can't help her. I felt bad about this, but it's actually true, because The Boy was wading through the foam pit, and if I left him, he might disappear into the abyss forever. Seriously, I was in there once to fish him out, I couldn't feel the bottom... maybe it's foam all the way to China, and if I left him, he'd sink all the way down... I'm sure some nice Chinese family would take him in, but that doesn't change the fact that I'd miss him if he were gone. So, I can't help The Babe right then, for fear of losing The Boy. She looks very sad and disappointed and she wanders off.

But, I'm watching her, and she tries with much determination and makes it to the top! All on her own! You should have seen her glowing up there, knowing that she could do it herself! I was very proud, and The Boy and I clapped and waved and cheered her as she slid down the slide. Of course, now The Boy wants to try this, too. *sigh*

Honestly, though, he only needed a little help, and he was off to the top, too! By the end of the party, he could climb all the way up all on his own, and both kids say it was their favorite part of the party.

Mine, too.