End of an Era

I did it. I finally put an end to Gymboree! It is scary to think there will be no more Gymbo The Clown, circle time, bubbles... the list goes on. My reason for pulling Ryleigh out of there started in October. We received notification that the location Ryleigh attends would be shutting down and the closest location would be 20 minutes away. We decided we would give it a go though. They were giving us free classes the month of December so I thought why not... make the drive and see how it goes. Well I only made it to 2 of 4 classes. Her new teacher has a great voice and I did love it. Then they called... right after I signed Ryleigh up for 2 classes at our local rec center. They wanted to know if I was going to sign up Ryleigh for Level 5 in January... I decided to bite the bullet and tell them no. It was hard to say no and then write them an email telling them no... we've been going there since she was 9 weeks old. It feels like my little girl is growing up!

Goodbye Miss Jenny

Today was Ryleigh's last day with Miss Jenny at her Gymboree class. We've been with Miss Jenny for over a year and half. She has been a terrific motivator and teacher full of excitement for her very young students and anxious mothers.
Miss Jenny started at Gymboree shortly after graduating from Ohio Dominican. She graduated with a teaching degree and while looking for that 'real' teaching job she taught Gymboree classes. I am so excited for her as she finally got her first teaching job; teaching kindergartners. It is a perfect fit. Her enthusiasm cannot be replicated and her new students & parents will be thrilled with her.
We will miss Miss Jenny and will always remember her as Ryleigh's FIRST teacher. I think what I will miss most is watching Ryleigh interact with Miss Jenny: giving her hugs, sitting on her lap for lap rides (most children sit on their parent's lap for lap ride), and showing love and trust towards someone outside of her family. Miss Jenny has taught me a lot about letting go and letting Ryleigh be her own person. She will be dearly missed.

Ryleigh going down the slide (with Miss Jenny's nametag)