World Championships of Trampolining and Tumbling

The week-long celebration of Eliza’s birthday ended with a trip to Birmingham to take in the World Championships.

Eliza

Eliza, fittingly as the intended beneficiary, was the most engaged of the kids by the action. She was happiest when watching from a position on L’s lap and so able to natter to her Mum. Her highlight may have been the visit to the kit shop at the arena. She tried on several leotards and blew her birthday money on a black outfit with silver and purple swirls.

Gabe

Gabe was made anxious by the visit to the arena, the crowds at the Christmas market and by the stay at the hotel with partying youths in a nearby room. He relaxed and revelled in the trip to Brum’s Sea Life Centre, dashing between exhibits and lapping up fishy learning.

Robin

Robin’s thrills were a slide down a helter-skelter at the Christmas market and a climb to the nose-bleed seats at the top of the arena. He stayed up late and woke early at the hotel and didn’t stop moving until we began the drive home, which he slept through (but denied).

 

Trampolining

Eliza

For the second year running, Eliza’s birthday party was shaped around trampolining. The most changed aspect of the party was Eliza herself. Visibly more self-confident, Eliza sat happily and at ease amongst her friends at tea. Where before she was overshadowed by some of her louder, more insistent friends, now she handles them and engages with a wider group of girls. The party was a success.

On her birthday, Eliza took part in her school’s musical performance afternoon (soiree). She played a piano piece well, but L said she had looked as though she was shaking when getting ready to play.

Gabe

Gabe missed Eliza’s party as he spent that afternoon, as well as the evening and night with a friend as a birthday event. Gabe was nervous about the sleep-over because of his snoring. He sought reassurance: yes, I said, it is loud, but it doesn’t go on for very long. His friends either didn’t hear him or were discrete as there was no mention, or teasing of him for snoring.

Robin

Robin can whistle. His repertoire is limited, consisting almost exclusively of the Harry Potter theme tune, which for much of the weekend can be used to locate him around the house.

Night terrors

Robin

Four times in the past few weeks, Robin has got out of bed and wandered around upstairs, distressed and out-of-reach of L and my communication. He seems to be sleeping or responding to a dream. He mutters, not making sense to us, will hug us briefly and most recently was shaking with chattering teeth. We’re not really able to console him, but with encouragement he will lie down and goes back to sleep.

Gabe

Three months after the match started, Gabe completed a tennis game with his friend R. Time had run out on them in the third set when playing before the summer holidays.Freed from eleven plus duties, Gabe arranged to play again. Such is the thoroughness with which they approach competition, they decided to complete their unfinished match, rather than start anew.

Eliza

With a half-term in junior school under her belt, Eliza appears more confident and assertive. In the top group of a mixed class of year 3 and 4 pupils, she seems to be developing a wider group of friends and having a greater say in what they play, rather than dutifully following, as had happened in the past. She’s also cheeky and demanding at home.