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Homeschool Gym Days

I wrote before how Jared said he wanted to go to a gymnastics class so he could play on the balance beam, horse and other gymnastics equipment. Well, I had seen a listing in the YMCA for Homeschool Gymnastics for kids ages 3-5. It would be perfect, I thought. The class might be less structured and focus more on spending time on the equipment, and I might not have to be surrounded by other mothers discussing different preschool options. I could either read a book or talk with another non-school mom about stuff I'm more interested in.

Turns out the class is a bit different than it was listed in the catalogue. It is only made up of kids who don't plan on attending school, but it's more of a fitness time, with a little bit o duck-duck-goose sprinkled in for fun. That's all good and fine, but Jared really wanted to do gymnastics things. My friend from a relaxed homeschool mom's book club I attend is there, so it's fun talking with her, but still, I feel bad for Jared who was so disappointed. They both like playing with the other kids, but I'll see how they feel attending after the holidays are over. Thank goodness the session is only six weeks long.

Have you ever had an experience with a class, homeschooling or otherwise, that was much different then you had anticipated?

Birthdays Part 3

October is a whirlwind of birthdays in our family. We have mine, my nephew's, my mom's and my brother-in-law's. This year I celebrated my birthday for three days straight, so it was an extra special time for me.

The day before my birthday Steve and I went to the Art Institute (one of my favorite things to do) and then went out for lobster and crab legs for dinner (my ultimate favorite food). If you've never been to Miller's Alehouse in Lombard, please check it out. I had a combo 1lb snow crab legs and lobster tail for $16 - and that wasn't even a special. It wasn't the most fabulous seafood I've ever eaten, but the food is definitely worth way, way more than $16.

The next morning I woke to presents and cards from Steve and the kids. Then we headed to Blueberry Hill Pancake House in LaGrange  for a wonderful breakfast (another great place to check out).

Even though it was technically my birthday, we celebrated my nephew's birthday later that afternoon. My sister wanted to rent out his gymnastics room at the park district, and she could only do this on a Saturday.

The kids had a fabulous time playing with the gymnastics equipment. When they were in their six week gymnastics class through the YMCA, Jared didn't want to go after the third week. I've already written about that experience before, but I'm sure most of what he didn't like was the extreme structure of the class. This day was all about free play on the equipment, and he was all about that. In fact, he asked me several times after this day to go back to gymnastics again. I found another gymnastics class, this one specially designed for homeschoolers, at a different Y, so I signed them up. Its should be more about free play and exploration instead of strict drills and waiting in line. I'll report back soon on how it's been working out.

After an hour in the gymnastics room, we drifted to the party room for snacks, dinosaur cupcakes and to watch O open his presents.

The next day after church we went to my mom's house where she hosted my birthday party for the rest of the family. We mostly just hung out and talked, while Steve BBQd chicken quarters on the grill. Alexa, Jared, Amy, and my mom and I went for a little walk to check out some grape vines.

The next weekend it was my mom's turn for a birthday celebration. We reversed houses and held it at ours since the weather was nice. We have a small house, so we don't host many events where both sides of the family will attend unless it's warm and we can mostly hang outside. We played a little badminton, talked and then ordered pizza. We ended the evening watching the new Karate Kid movie with Jayden Smith. We all really enjoyed it. It's basically the same as the original movie, even down to the same lines in most places, but that's what make it fun for us. Jared was all over the place showing us his karate moves. I asked him if he'd like to take a karate class, thinking it would be fun for him, and he said, "I'll let you know when I do." Well, ok then.

About a week ago we celebrated our last October birthday, Uncle Z. His birthday is actually on the same day as my mom's, but Z and Steve's sister were doing their own celebration that weekend. It was a relaxed, laid-back time, eating pizza and hanging out talking. Grandma picked up costumes for the kids to play in, and they spent hours exploring stuff in the attic. Of course, the favorite activities of the night were eating cake and helping Uncle Z open his presents.

Ober Gaitlinburg Part 2

A few days before our trip was over, we went back to Ober Gatlinburg again to spend the day. It's very reasonably priced for an amusement park attraction. It cost us only $60 to get an all day, all access pass for me and Steve. The kids were free, otherwise it would have cost another $40.

The first thing we did was head straight for the Alpine Slide ride. It was at the very top of our list after researching what there was to do at the park, and after watching a video of the ride on YouTube.

I was SOOO nervous getting on that chairlift. I haven't been on one since I was 12 years old on a ski trip. It just kills me when they stop the lift and you're just swaying there. I tried to be brave for the kids since I don't want them to have my fear, too.

The Alpine Slide weaves down a 1800' track that glides down the mountain and woods. You ride in a bobsled-type thing and control your own speed, which, of course, was perfect for me and Alexa. We raced Steve and Jared on one of our many rides. They won, of course.

For the little ones, there's a nice place with playground equipment, and a train and car ride. It was so hot that we didn't stay there as long as we would have had it been cooler.

After taking a lunch break, we went ice skating at their indoor rink for a little while. The kids seemed excited about skating, but after just a few times around the rink, they were ready to quit. The only picture I have that turned out clear and not blurry is of me.

We went back outside for another few trips down the Alpine Slide, went through a maze...

...played a quick game of mini-golf (which turned into a game of mini-bowling after awhile)...

..and ended with Steve taking the kids down a water slide. Jared LOVED it! Alexa was ok with it, but said she didn't want to go again. I was just happy to get the funnel cake I had been drooling over and cotton candy. I don't think we would have gone to Ober Gaitlinburg if we didn't have little kids, but it was a great place for families with small kids.

An Evening Bike Ride

A few posts ago I wrote about undiscovered adventures in your own backyard. Well, a few nights ago on the 9th we had another one. The place was familiar, but this time we saw it in a new way.

We brought the kids' bikes to some woods near our house. We have been to these woods many times before on hikes in all seasons. We've chased geese, picked blackberries off the trees and spotted a deer family, but have never brought the bikes before. Actually, I should say, just the kids rode their bikes. Steve still have to buy one for himself, and my bike's tire is flat. We quickly learned that next time we need to bring bikes, too, as the kids, particularly Jared, is way too fast for us to jog alongside.

I haven't set aside time to exercise in so long, so they quickly got way ahead of me. Steve pretty much ran the entire time. Alexa would tire, wait for me to catch up, and then speed up to Steve and Jared again.

I really want to get a new camera. Almost all the pictures I took were very blurry. Still, I hope it gives you some sense of our trip.

We all saw a favorite place from a new vantage point that night. Several times during the walk, I felt my throat grow tight as I remembered the kids at barely two, running along ahead of us, tripping frequently, and looking so tiny. Only two years ago, but they are entirely new people already. What will it seem like when we take this ride when they are 6, and 10 and 17?

At the end of our walk, we were treated to a gorgeous sunset, the setting sun leaving the clouds glowing majestically in the sky.

Wonderful Wacky 4th of July

Our 4th of July celebrations really took place the day before on the 3rd. We didn't do anything fantastic, although we were able to watch fireworks right from our front lawn, but there was a heck of a lot of cleaning going on that day. Before I had kids, I actually liked cleaning. Now- not even close. I usually set a timer to motivate myself to get things done quickly. But having a houseful of people over does wonderful things for your motivation.

So, while I started with the kitchen, the kids thought up thier first project for the day. Painting. I love when they paint, I really do. They've been painting, at least finger painting since six months old, but some days it can be a whole lot of mess to clean up. We don't have a room just for art, so that means art takes place in the kitchen. Still, I figured it would keep them occupied.

The painting quickly turned into painting their dinosaurs. Note to myself - buy Alexa a ceramic model to paint.

They've been staying away from completely covering themselves in paint - something they would always do a few years ago whenever they'd paint - but, wouldn't you know it, I turn my head for a minute and I see this.

He said he was a goblin. So, after washing him out, I tried to get back to business. Between me taking the kids to the library to check out more books and get a prize from the treasure chest for their reading program, and Steve taking them to several stores during the afternoon, we were able to divide up the work and get most things ready for the 4th.

Steve was so anxious to make smoked ribs. He'd been talking about it for weeks. He had done a trial run with one slab, and it turned out awesome. That evening he mixed up the rub, with help from Alexa.

We usually watch fireworks on the 4th, but our village decided to change their fireworks date to the 3rd, I guess because of the rain. We were all ready to sit as a family on our front lawn, where we can see the fireworks being shot off from a nearby quarry, but Alexa wasn't having it. She's scared of the noise, so as soon as they started, she ran inside with Steve, and Jared and I watched them together.

While Jared sat on my lap, I pretended to be Dr. Claw and he was Batman. I told him how I had Mad Agents down in the quarry and how they were going to set off a bomb to destroy Gotham City. When the finale happened, I told him that was the bomb going off, and his eyes got so wide! Then he said Batman had a special button that would restore Gotham City.

On the big day, we went to church (getting there a bit late so Steve could flip the ribs once in the oven), and then came home to lunch and some last minute getting ready. Thankfully the kids occupied themselves with reading....

...and other playing. Jared had been dying to play in the next-door neighbors yard, so we went over for a little while until family started arriving.

Most of the afternoon, really, was a blur for me. Between getting things for people, making sure the kids were ok, setting up for dinner, and a dozen other little things, the day flew by in an exhausting haze. Here's a few pictures I managed to get off in between the craziness.

The kids also set off some smoke bombs and snakes with Grandad, there were badminton and bags games played, and I had some time to talk with my family. Steve's side of the family left early to watch fireworks in another town (Jared had actually fallen asleep at 7:30, something he hasn't done since he was one), so we needed to stay back, but my side of the family stayed with us. We had a great time talking and hanging out.

The night ended on a not-so-great note, however. Our central air went out, just as everyone was leaving. We do have window units upstairs, so Steve and the kids slept up there, and I slept downstairs (I know it's weird, but I actually would have been cold!).

Happy 4th!