I realize this post is a shameless brag fest, but my kid deserves to be bragged about just a little bit. And if you can’t brag about your kids on your own blog, where can you brag?

Alyssa has been taking gymnastics lessons since July.  She has done amazingly well.  The sport of gymnastics really speaks to her skills and abilities.  She is a very determined, obedient little girl always wishing above all else to please.

When we started our lessons one of the things they did weekly was climb a rope.  The rope goes from floor to ceiling and is probably more than 18 feet to the top.  When Alyssa first started she only got a few feet off the ground.

After several weeks she got half way up the rope. A month or so in she could get most of the way up the rope. I was amazed at her progress and new found strength.

After about six weeks she was dangerously close to reaching the top!  For several weeks I thought she might ring the bell up top, but she just couldn’t quite get there. But she never gave up.

Then…all of a sudden one week she was ringing the BELL!  It was one of the most exhilarating moments I have ever had as a parent.  I knew how badly she wanted to ring the bell and how hard she worked to strengthen her arms and improve her rope climbing technique. It was a real thrill to see her reach her goal.

Now we’ve been in lessons three months, she can climb the rope ring the bell twice, goof around a little up top and safely lower her self back down and then do it all over again.  It’s a cinch for her now.  She’s also gained a whole new repertuar of gymnastics skills on the beam, bars and tumbling.  It’s been such an amazing process to watch.

I snapped this photo with my phone from across the room right after she started to come down.  It’s a little blurry, but I’m sure proud to have it.  She’s turning into quite a little athlete doing things I couldn’t do if my life depended on it.

I am trying to learn from her.  Like her, I’d LOVE to make my weaknesses strengths.  She’s really inspired me to set some lofty goals.  Goals that right now I know I can’t do.  My hope is that like her, in a few months I can carry myself a little farther down the road of self accomplishment. Right now, it sure feels good to be trying.