Cooker Man Classes

James didn't really get to do anything "afterschool" in this last year of preschool.  He didn't like dance, and quit.

So, when the local supermarket offered a cooking class - and my boys love to watch cooking shows - I thought we had to be in.

The first one we went to, James sliced onions, and cried.  This was months ago, and he still talks about how onions make his eyes itch.

The second one we made a pizza that was not so desirable, but there was hummus involved and he loved it.

The third one which was about two weeks ago now - we had a good time.  He loved that he had "his class" and it was something to do with Mommy and have fun.  Sure, he freaked me out when he used the knife, but hey - he did a pretty good job otherwise.

And, he will never forget about what the "guiding stars" are in the Hannafords.

So, good job, Hannafords.

Golfers

Joel Andrew started Golf yesterday - lessons at The First Tee in North Hampton, NH.  I am really not sure why more parents do not do this program with their kids.  I tried to get a ton of the parents to do this in town - maybe it sells up quickly?  Here is the immediate educational deal - it doesn't really teach golf (well it does, by default) - but the main lessons are honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility... you can read all about their core values here. They "promote life skills and leadership using golf."  It is a skill building all around program.

Sounds good?

All of this is amazing, just what I want my little guy to be doing.  But, the kicker is that although this is a main reason why I am happy to have Joel take part, there is also a huge other reason why I am loving this after school activity for him:  the activity and fun for the rest of us while he is in class.  Sounds strange?  Well...

Ever wait in a small, boring, smelly locker room or dance hall space with a fidgety younger sibling while the older is in a class?  How about try to get work done while kids are screaming in Karate?  How many bug bites did you get at junior's game last weekend, and how about missing weekend event after weekend event because your little one just has to "show up for his team."  What about showing up for his family?  He is 6.  His team does not yet care.  Talk to me when it is a serious game or competition.  You can't have a game every week and say it is important they be there, when they are 6.

Anyway, you can guess where I am going with this.  Well - not really...  Because here it is.  While Joel was learning about taking turns hitting the golf ball, high fiving his team mates as they went towards a common goal...  James and I were playing mini-golf.  And then James was having a snack (from the snack bar, no whining cause mommy forgot!).  And then Mommy was reading a book.  If I came without James, I could have gone to the driving range.  His Dad could go to the driving range!

A kicker here, I don't even like golf!  My cousin was an amazing golf player and she taught kids the game (I am guessing it was in a similar set-up, if not the exact same non profit, just elsewhere.)  She is smiling down on my Joelly, hopefully giving him some good wishes to have the patience for this game.

Why did I do this?  I didn't know about the full family fun that awaited me.  The true reason why I signed Joelly up is that he is a lucky kid, he is growing up in this extremely privileged community and an awesome environment.  With trips to Hilton Head and (hopefully) fancy schools down the line.  He needs these sports, the ones that actually will bring you somewhere.

Why does everyone keep pushing the football or the soccer?  You have heard my mantra about not wanting to be apart of that schedule monopolizing, aggression pushing sports.  I have never once heard any of my peers tell me that football got them far.  It was what they learned from the sport, if they had a good coach, that got them where they are.  Not the sport itself.

You know what sports do get you far?  Running.  Ha!  It's a joke.  Well not really, running is a good way to challenge oneself.  But I digress.

So, what sports really do get you far?  Tennis, Golf, Squash.  Maybe running or cycling falls into this category too.  These are the sports people do in business.  They go out together (for the latter two it seems relays are really catching on!), and real things happen if you can do them.  People respect you more if you ski.  I learned this first hand.  Unless your in the NFL, no one cares if you once played football or soccer. But, you play tennis?  Let's meet sometime!  Ski?  I have a condo at such and such mountain, come up we will ski.  You play golf?  Let's meet for a four hour round where important work conversations are sure to come up.  Phil can't join us though, he plays football. That's ok.  I'll take your work and Phil can wait until next year!

So, I am sticking with the golf, the tennis, and the other activities that build the life skills as long as Joelly will have them.  Daddy can take Joelly to all of the other "games" that ruin our weekend schedules.  Hopefully I will win, but for some reason these kids are just so obsessed with football and the organized sports here.

Ice Skating

We have been taking ice skating (aka Hockey) classes.  Not we, but the boys.  They LOVE it!  I am indifferent, and I will tell you why…  But, the boys LOVE IT!

I thought they would hate it.  The first time we went out we brought Nana and Pa with us, and in the haste I forgot their helmets, we needed to borrow some from the lost and found and we rushed our way to get on the ice.  I KNEW they would just be freaked out and have the worst time, I was a mess and I was totally giving them the vibe to also be a mess too.

But NO.  They fell, and got back up and fell again and go back up and waved excitedly.  They smiled and laughed and had a good time and by the end of the class Joelly was gliding.  The best part of the entire class was watching Pa's face.  I have never seen my father in law laugh so hard as when he was watching these little kids push the little red carts around on the ice and fall straight on their bums.  If my boys were having the time of their life, Pa was over the moon.

The next week we went back, and the boys were both much better at it.  This made for less fun for Pa and I, as it was a little less entertaining.  Not like we are saying we want to just watch our kids fall, but yeah…  Joelly did so well he advanced a class.  We were proud hockey parents let me tell you.

Week three I was on my own.  And, I was a mess.  Though we arrived 10 minutes early, Joel did not get onto the ice until 20 minutes into class.  We tried three different skates, I couldn't get the helmet to work, I spilled my coffee.  Being a hockey parent is a lot of work and you better be prepared.  But, despite all my drama - and there was a lot of drama (I need to learn how to keep my cool and be a bit more patient and lower my expectations on how quickly we can do things and how many things we can do…) the boys still LOVED it.  Joel can totally skate on his own and has even tried skating backwards.  James is doing a bit better, he is doing as well as can be expected for a 3-1/2 year old who does not really like to listen…

Looking forward to a few more weeks of ice skating fun.  Then, I wonder…  Will it be years and years of ice skating?  I will need coaching on how to be a good parent in this situation if so!

Karate

This season's extracurricular activities have finally showed themselves to us - the boys are both in skating (more to come later) and Karate.  It is nice that they both go to the same classes and so we are not shuttling here and there but to one place. And, presumably they are both occupied, so we can use that time as relax-down time.  Though, we spend most of the time staring at the guys because they are fun to watch.

Joel Andrew enjoys Karate.  He listens to his teacher, and within a few classes was awarded his first stripe on his belt.  He wants to do good and wants to learn more.  He keeps repeating numbers and positions to me, I think he is really enjoying it.  He especially loves the goofy times in class.  This is a good fit for him in terms of learning how to work for something, and reaching a goal.  Before he would get frustrated with activities, say they are too hard and close down.  Karate is great, there are small tangible steps and he has yet to get frustrated, though I am sure he will.  But, he is learning to work through that which is nice.

James is quite a different story.  Karate will be good for him because he needs discipline.  He has a hard time paying attention or listening, really.  Listening is not his strong suit.  I have to remember he is 21 months younger than Joel and yet he is in the same class as him so we need to cut him some slack.  He does not have any black stripes on his belt yet.  I am not sure that he knows what it means.  But we are sticking it it in hopes he will learn how to listen and it will do him some good.  Worst part about James in Karate - he yells: "YES, SENSAI" to me, his daycare teacher, pretty much anyway.  I guess the is better than Yes, Sir!  ...

Joel Andrew, Dance Class

Joel Andrew has been in a dance class for a few weeks now.  This dance class is so serious, that the parents do not go inside.  We can't even take a look mid-class.  The teacher prefers to have all of the kids in the room while the parents sit outside - with the doors closed- and listen to the music and the banging and the laughing and we all wonder, just what is going on in there?

Then, one week out of the year it is peek week and you get to go in and watch them dance.  This is epic.  I sensed this, even though it was my first time.  All of the other Moms there were talking about Peek Week from the first I arrived.  I knew to expect great things.  Peek Week was to be the last class before holiday break.  Then a snowstorm happened and class was cancelled.  Joel Andrew and I were crushed.  We were assured Peek Week would be rescheduled, that it would not be the first class back, and that we would get to see our kids dance.  First week back I came ready to schedule Peek Week, and first week back when I walked in the door it was apparent it was Peek Week.  I started to get angry, I do not have my camera!  How am I supposed to document this amazing event?  When I saw all the other Moms.  They were Bull.  Like so mad, it was hysterical.  I just watched and laughed, cause I was mad too - but then I remembered I had two cameras in my purse, one an iPad and one an iPhone.  So, we went forward with Peek Week.

Next I was unprepared for all of the emotions.  I assumed I would get in there and see my child do amazing things and just burst with pride and then with concern about how I would go home and explain to Joel Husband that we were going to need to bring Joel Andrew to Broadway auditions.  The music started, the dancing began and it quickly became apparent that Joel Andrew would not be doing any Broadway auditioning anytime soon.  Most of the girls in his class followed along beautifully as the teacher shouted general instruction as: Tap, first position, tap, first position.  My son beamed, he smiled, he loved every minute, he checked himself in the mirror a few thousand times.  He itched his legs, and stuck his hands in his pockets and itched something else…  He occasionally hit exactly what the teacher asked him to do - but I am thinking that was more coincidence.  He beamed though throughout the whole thing.  And so did I.  I could not stop smiling at my son having the best time of his life, king of the ladies, with two left feet.

At one point there was an exercise where everyone was in a line, and they needed to skip in time to the music across the dance floor while holding hands.  Joel Andrew was the end of the line.  By the time they got to the opposite end of the dance room, Joel would be in the middle (his skipping took him a bit left…) - the girls would be smooshed in a pile and the teacher corrected him and they did it again and again until he was all set.  There he was, beaming and smiling all the way and it was all I could do not to yell "keep straight!"  I didn't, he learned, and all got high fives (I am guessing this is why Moms are normally not allowed).  Parents sitting next to me leaned in and said: "That boy is adorable!" When I told them he was mine they seemed surprised.  I think it was all an act.  It was obvious who his Mom was, we both had the same goofy look on our faces the entire time and I was switching off between iPad and iPhone to capture every move he made.

Tap dance portion of the class time, and I was worried.  He put his shoes right on and got a spot out in front.  Here we go I thought, Can't wait!   Ever the one to keep us guessing, he did a GREAT job!  I keep saying, how could every boy out there not want to put on noisy shoes and stop around to loud music?  Joel Andrew loved it and was doing awesome.  I think for this he is a natural.  Perhaps not ballet, but tap is his thing.

I am so proud of my little guy.  Keep loving what you do buddy, you are the best.  Can't wait until the recital, first weekend of June - mark your calendars people!

Horsey Rides

I found a deal on Groupon, for $75 we got - count em' - five private, 1-hour, horse riding lessons for Joel Andrew at the stables just down the street from us.  So, we gave it a whirl.  For $75?  How could you not?  The lesson teaches Joel Andrew the different accoutremont that is involved in riding the horse, "horsemanship" lessons - he brushes the horses and learns how to take care of them, and also he is learning how to properly ride the horse, whose name is Johnny.

Joel is loving it and is a natural.  He knows to say "Whoa!" to get the horse to stop and he is even trying to trot.  The ladies at the stables are of course in love with him.  This place is amazing, there are kids everywhere - it seems to be the place to hang out if you are from Hampton Falls after school.  Although it is clearly the seasoned professional teaching Joel the riding part, it is always a young girl (in my opinion, less than 10 but I know my math is off with that so they are probably like 14) who teach him to brush the horse, etc.  They think he is the cutest thing ever.

James goes with me and we walk around in the back stables the whole time while Joel is occupied with the various stages of his lesson.  James and I make it a point to say "Hi!" to each of the over 40 horses in their stables.  Most of the horses poke their heads out to say Hi back.  James loves to repeat the Horsey's names, it is pretty darn cute.

I am raising rich kids for sure.  I can see the polo ads now!  We have three more lessons left, and then what - I wonder how much a horse riding lesson is after that.  Perhaps we go down to one lesson a month then!

(I haven't posted in a while because there is something wrong with posting from my desktop.  Hence why there are also no photos here...  I will keep trying and will also try to catch up on my posting back log!).

First Soccer Practice

This morning was Joel Andrew's first soccer practice.  We are starting this, already.  My old boss would always be off to some sort of soccer practice or game, it seemed - and I would always say that would never be me, but here we are.  Three years old and starting already.

We decided he would be the best dressed kid there, so Joel Husband went all out in the clothes, as you can see.  His friends Laurel and Ava are also in the class (and Max too, but he wasn't there today).  Nana and Pa are in town, so we all went to practice.  This was probably a lot for Joel, and multiple meltdowns ensued.

Of course, everyone has a different parenting style, which did not help the meltdowns, but when they passed, he really seemed to have a good time.  Running after the ball, and kicking and mostly hitting it. His coach, Aidan, is from Scotland and very nice.  He actually had some sort of structure to the day and was teaching some of the kids (mostly girls) - the ones that listened, to dribble the ball.  I was very impressed with this - the kids that were learning.

To be outdone, other families were experiencing the same like we had, a child that teetered on meltdown at any moment.  I watched one poor dad, that clearly thought his son would be the best in the class, probably practiced with him way too much before getting here - follow his son around the field yelling "Jason, put the stick down, we are not playing with sticks." This went on for a good 20 minutes, and made me feel better.

Eventually I gave up on Joel Andrew altogether, to which his coach told me I needed "patience."  (if he didn't say it in that cute Scottish accent, I may have hit him).  So, I got Nana and James to come over from the swing set and join in on the soccer fun.  To no one's surprise, James was a much better soccer player than his brother.  He did not tanturm, or complain.  At one point, when Coach Aidan asked everyone to put the ball on their head, James did so. Joel Andrew whined at the side.  James then dribbled the ball better than any of the other kids there!  He had all of the parents and grandparents at the sideline smiling and laughing.

If I sound a little bit like I have a favorite, it is because I do.  I admit it.  At this very moment in time, this week, James is doing really well.  And, Joel Andrew is driving me nuts.  He is in the full on tanturm about anything, wants to disagree with you over everything, yells no all the time mode.  This better pass, and pass quick.  I kid you not, I will cancel Disney before I will go there for a week with this kid!  Someone bring my old Joel Andrew back!

Gymboree is Gone

Many of my avid readers (all 2 of you)  can recall how important Gymboree was to my two kids.  Really, it was a savior for Joel Andrew during the months that I was pregnant and when James first arrived.  He would go to all of his classes, with Nana and Pa or Ama and Grumpy and I feel that it had a great involvement in having him be the happy boy he is today.  Plus, the clean up song along - and the resulting cleaning up that he is still doing, were invaluable.

I heard yesterday that Gymboree is closing.  There last day was today.  I was going to bring James, but couldn't which was a huge bummer.  I wanted him to get to go one last time.  Maybe Gymboree was really more for me than for them.  A nice break in the day.  The people probably laugh when the remember me, as large as a whale, pregnant with James, just laying on the ground watching Joel Andrew have fun in there.  It was far enough away from our house that it was a true event to try and go there.  WQe would usually make a lunch date afterwards.  James and I got really into the thai place, and every Wednesday, after his class, we went there and saw the ladies.  When we go now after work when Joel Husband is in Canada, the ladies tell us how they miss our weekly visits.

Gymboree was literally the safest thing about me going back to work.  I was sad for James that he would miss that time with me, especially since Joel Andrew loved it so much.  With James, we made good friends in the class, and that was the first time we did that as well - hang out outside of class with another family.

So, I may have to order a Gymboree parachute online (or get Joel Andrew one for his birthday).  It will be a nice remembrance of all the fun we had there.  I am sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to the awesome teachers, who we all built relationships with.  I guess, it was the last hold out of being a SAHM.  Gone!  Sad.

Tumblebus

Joel Andrew gets to go on Tumblebus, every other Friday, at school.  This is quite funny, and awesome and strange.  If you live on the Seacoast of New Hampshire, you might have seen Tumblebus driving around, big multi-colored former school bus, that on the inside has been gutted and instead outfitted with all sorts of gymnastic equipment.  It is genius really.  The mobile gym drives from daycare to daycare, and has little classes for the kids there.

You have to pay extra, for this class, and we do.  We kinda go to a blue collar daycare though, and not everyone can afford Tumblebus.  So, I feel horrible for any kids that do not get to do it, because pretty much it is all Joel Andrew talks about on Fridays that he gets to do it.

On the one hand, it makes me feel so happy that he is getting this extra activity.  They send home a sheet listing the things he has learned, and you can ask him to do "Ta-Da" and he will do it.  So super cute.  But on the other hand it makes me sad that I can't be there with him.  I am jealous he gets to have all the fun, I guess.  We may try a gym class on the weekends, in the fall.

I emailed Tumblebus to ask them if we owe them money, and the lady cleared up with me that we didn't but then threw in: "Joel Andrew is such a good boy.  He is very smart and very strong."  And it made me cry.  He really is a very good boy, and here he is, making this impression on someone I have never met - all on his own.  I am very proud of him.

He received his certificate for completing level 1 yesterday.  You can bet that he will keep getting to go on Tumblebus!

Two Poopers in the Pool

Yesterday was our first pool class.  It is a family class, at the same place I brought Joel Andrew when he was 6 months old.  I had Joel for most of the class, and Joel Husband had James.  It was a ton different - and better - than when it was just Joel Andrew and I when he was 6 months old.

Joel Andrew hated the water at that time.  At the beginning and the end of class there is a thing where you jump up and down and sing a song and splash a lot... When he was a baby, Joel Andrew hated it.  James, at 10 months, loves it.  The pool is awesome for James.  Joel Andrew, now that he is 2-1/2 loves it too!  Which is good, because these classes were not cheap, and we still have 6 more to go...

Joel learned how to get in and get out of the pool, he blew bubbles, he was kicking and scooping the water.  He is a long ways away from swimming on his own, but he had fun and I think that is what counts.  James learned nothing and just had a good time.  Joel Husband pointed out that he didn't care if James learned anything, just as long as he was smiling, and that he was.  We were supposed to be booked in a sibling class, but instead were booked into a 2-4 year old class.  James kinda tags along, but that is sort of his thing, anyways...  He was loving hanging out with the big kids.

After pool we went to a diner for lunch.  It was good!  But the lady yelled at us for using those plastic mat things... apparently they ruin the tables and restaurants are banning them...  Who knew?  Well, I still have about 20 so we are still going to use them...

Let's see how well this family does next week in swim class!

The Last Gymboree Class

 Today was James' last day at Gymboree.  I am super sad about this.  I really enjoy our Gymboree days, and remember back to the first day I went with Joel Andrew.  Joel Andrew did so well with the classes and really learned a ton there.  In the beginning it just got us out and taught me basic things like kids like bubbles, and when you sing, and peek-a-boo. When I was working part-time it was part of our great Mommy-Joel days home together.  And, when I was super pregnant and/or when James was super new, it kept us together - gave him something to do and something to do with me, or with his grandparents.

Joel Andrew is semi-grown out of it, but mostly the times of day were hard for us with his schedule.  Plus, it was hard to bring James at this point and I felt a sibling class did not do it justice.  So, I left Joel Andrew out and kept bringing James to his own classes.  And it was a good thing too.  Because otherwise when I am home alone with him those days I just find myself lugging him places and setting him down with toys while I did laundry, while I cooked, while I played on the computer.  Gymboree forced us to have play time, just the two of us.  I will so miss it.

He was just starting to really enjoy it too... Last week he almost pummeled another baby for moving in on his "girlfriend."  He giggles and dances when we sing the song with all the noise, and of course loves the bubbles.  His favorite though, is eating the bells there.  Gross.  I know we can do all these things at home.  But, at home there are distractions, and his brother...  I need to make a promise to him that he will have Mommy time at least a few times a week.  He deserves it.  He is awesome.

So, it was super-sad to walk out of class, but I know we will be back in some form or another.  They have weekend classes that we might try in the fall.  In a few weeks we are going to start a pool class for the both boys on the weekends, and then it is lake/travel time so for now we are taking a Gymboree break.  Thanks for all the memories!

Ocean Commotion

Today we ventured to the Seacoast Science Center for Ocean Commotion, a morning activity where we made sock puppets, Joel Andrew whined, touched a shark (a cute little tiny shark), and baby James puked on Mommy.  It was awesome.  The only thing that made me feel better was when I saw the Mom with slightly older than Joel twins, pleading with her daughter to stop whining, while her son was standing there happy as can be with pee down his pants.  See, I am not alone.

Other than that, the class was nice.  It was very similar to the Big Fish Little Fish class Joel Andrew and I did this summer, but it was obviously indoors.  Same teacher.  Same, start with a song, have an activity, read a book, play a game, sing the song type of thing.  For some reason Joel Andrew turns into a monster in this sort of environment though.  He becomes a combination of shy disobedient.  He will not yell or scream or take the attention of the class, thankfully.  But he will run to the side and not pay attention at all.  I was surprised the one time he did pay attention, to pet the shark.  He and I both enjoyed that one.

The timing was tough though - 9am, and 35 minutes from our house.  Luckily Baby James transferred his nap from the car to the crib, or else Mommy would have surely lost it.

It was a tough day for us all around. Right now Baby James is whining in his exersaucer, while Joel Andrew is fighting a nap.  Then what are we going to do?  Joel Husband goes to Canada tomorrow...  I guess I should be glad that they are both going into daycare and I will be going back to work at the end of March...  Hooray?!

Tumble Bugs

This was the best picture I could get of our first Tumble Bugs class. In an effort to get out more with my eldest son, just the two of us, I signed us up for a Saturday morning gym class. I am also trying to get him into more activities since it all seems to be Gymboree for us.

He loved it, and Mommy did too. It was crowded, and it is not cheap - $71 for 4 classes, yikes! But it is a whole different way of doing things, which is great for Joel Andrew to learn. At Gymboree there is group time, but most of the time is spent with us going on the obstacles at our own pace, on our own. At this place, you needed to go in order, wait your turn, stand in line. Helpful things for life. Joel was so confused about the line business. Mommy enacted a rule which helped him learn really quick: "Get out of line, go to the behind."

If waiting his turn and standing in line was tough, soccer time was really difficult. The "no hands" rule was very tough to follow. At one point he actually picked up the ball with his wrists making sure his hands were not touching the ball. It was hysterical.

Yes, he is the youngest in his class, and he will get there. But I am excited for all this new learning! A great morning with just me and my big guy. Helpful hint to others wanting to do gym class with their little ones: don't stand on the edges of the trampoline and foam pits - they are deceptive and you are likely to fall in!

The Gymboree Dilema

As you know, I have been bringing Joel Andrew for a very long time to Gymboree. I decided that I needed to do the same for Baby James so I signed him up for classes too. On the days Joel Andrew is at daycare, I take Baby James, it is our bonding time. He loves the bubbles and parachute - but I love the fact that it forces me to pay attention and have fun with him. Something I have a hard time doing when there is errands, or his brother around.

Joel Andrew goes on Friday, and so far it has worked out that I wear Baby James in a bjorn. But, Baby James is getting bigger and I am not sure how much longer I can do this. So, I found out there are family classes, for both siblings. Great so that I can go with the both of them, but bad as my one to one attention is gone. Also gone, the age appropriate gearing of the "lessons."
Well, I thought, what does Joel really need anymore other than a chance to get out and do something new, hang out with friends? That is what this is... how much is he really learning? But that is wrong, he is just getting to the point where the classes can really help him to learn and be creative. So, that is a bummer.

Also a bummer? Let's say I went to family classes. I would only get one family class a week, and no more Baby James and me time. Once you are subscribed to the family class, that is your tuition for both kids. So, we go from two classes tailored to their learning ability, to one. Not sure if that is worth the almost $100 a month.

Do I remove Joel Andrew and just take James so we can still have 1:1 time? Do I continue to pay and do the family class? I wish we had family closer so that someone could watch James while I took Joel Andrew...

Big Fish Little Fish

Below you will see a photo of Joel Andrew running to Big Fish Little Fish camp. Sorry they are out of order. We have been going each Monday, Nana comes and watches James and it is a good time for me to have 1:1 Joel Andrew time. Frankly, it is our first 1:1 time in a while, since way before James was born.

The first week was magical. He had me cracking up. He could not get enough of Mommy for days afterwards. This week, was well, a little more challenging. First off, he was a bit of a cranky pants in the morning. He has a sniffle, but generally, I think he woke up on the wrong side of the crib. Second, the topic of the day -- tide pool exploration...
We start each class waiting for all parents to arrive. Had I remembered this from last week, I would have been late today. But I was 5 minutes early. So, that combined with the fact that we waited 15 minutes for others to begin, was not so good. 20 minutes of coloring is tough for many toddlers, but especially tough for mine. Though I have to give him points, he did well.

Class begins and we all sit in a circle and sing, then talk about what we are going to do. My son barely sits still. Then she hands out the snails that we colored last week for the kids to post on the "tide pool" wall. All of the kids post their snails, mine sticks his on the book shelf to the side. Yes, I know genius...

Then we go to the next task which is coloring this week's animal. No, the coloring before was just stalling. So, my kid who is sick of coloring is now tasked with coloring another animal. We can all sense how well that went. Then he has to stick this animal in the tide pool. Mental note, pin the tail on the donkey is not going to be his game.

Finally, we go outside for tide pool exploration. We are promised to see crabs and more snails and maybe even a starfish! Very exciting. We begin the long hike down to the beach area and there she (very nice, very eager teacher) points to the rocky- very, very, rocky shore, and says "Ok little fish, go to the water." She tells them that is they begin to fall on the rocks to bend their knees and put their hands out in front of them. I am looking at my toddler who is barely paying any attention to this and about to fling rocks all over the place, thinking - hmmm. This shall be interesting.

Interesting it was. The whole walk down to the shore I kept thinking either he, or I will break an ankle. It was hard for an adult to walk along the steep hill down slippery shore rocks, let alone a toddler! But we make it there, and I think, we will both nap good today.

At the shore we are to explore the animals. My genius son picks up the snails and proceeds to throw them in the bucket. I am telling him he needs to be gentle they are animals and I point to the part where the snail peeks out of the shell, and my son shoves his finger in there.

18 certainly dead or maimed snails later, we find a crab. I am quite glad my son wants nothing to do with the crab as I am sure he would pull its legs off and make the toddler girls who are fascinated by them scream.

Just before class ends another toddler splashes copious volumes of salt water in my eye. Which actually makes me feel good. My son is not the worst in class today.

We hike up back the hill and run for the car before a major rain storm. I am tired, so is he, but I guess it was goo together time? On the way home we get Dilla (his favorite Quesadilla) and he asks me 10,000 times for his juice. I said "at home" 10,001 times though. It could have driven anyone mad, but I actually had fun with it, saying it in different languages and insisting I was the one with the last word... I won!

Music Together

Today we started Music Together class. It was a great surprise that Cynthia and Ava are also in our class with us! I was hesitant about this, but everyone says we have to do it. It is the thing. Kids love it. Parents love it, everyone has a great time.
They are right, though I am not sure what I am going to do there. Everyone sings. Do you know how bad my singing voice is? The singing is reminiscent of warm up routines when I was in high school theater (think Glee... yes, I was that cool and ahead of my time). When I participated in these activities in high school, I lip synced. One of our musical directors actually swore he was going to have me singing by the end of the show. "Everyone can sing" he chanted. By the end of the show, he politely asked me to "speak sing" my lines...
So, I am worried for the day when the teacher catches me speak singing. I am pretty sure she is just the type - maybe even married to my former musical director. I do not want another failed reform try!

Regardless, it is a great time. The kiddo spent most of the class taking it all in. He shook his maracas with all of his might, and tried a hand at sharing. I think it is funny that they close the class with a snack. Seems like there are snacks everywhere these days. Now we have some homework this week! Oh boy! Must get memorizing the lyrics I will be non-singing!

Mini Gym

For the past few weeks we have been going to Atlantic Gym. It is a real Gym - equipped with all of the apparati such as balance beams, uneven bars, etc. But they offer a class for babies. For five weeks, 1/2 hour each week it is $20. I thought, why not?
The first few times he was still working on crawling. So, it was not the best. But there were tons of kids there so it was nice for him to just get out and see. One time it was 8 million degrees, and that made it tough on him. But today, with his newfound walking skills, and his good morning nap, and the cooler temps - he had a blast!
Catch him walking, all by himself, on the trampoline. I don't think I could have done as well! He loves walking on the balance beam now, and when the gym teacher "tumbles" him he seems to get it and smiles as well. We are almost to the point of knowing that if we want to go down steps, we need to go backwards... Just, almost though... Well, he is Joel's son...

The first shot is of his friend Ava doing Downward Facing Dog. I love it!

Gymboree and Nana

Today we enjoyed a visit with Nana and went to Gymboree. J has really enjoyed the whole Gymboree experience. I must preface it with we could sit there and stare at the room and he would still enjoy it. I am likening the experience more and more to expensive (or actually, less-expensive...) and concentrated day care that requires adult supervision. Since he does not have very much interaction with other children, this is it. At home he has his few toys, here he has the whole room to explore. Not to mention the nice lady with the fun voice he likes to stare at (his teacher). He enjoys "Not Mommy" for a while! He is also a social butterfly chatting it up with the other kiddies, whether they want to chat or not.
Both he and Nana had a ton of fun playing on all areas of the "gym." His favorite is when the teacher breaks out the parachute, as pictured below. He squeals in delight when the parachute goes up and down. Mommy must admit, this was her favorite in school too.
Many of our friends who have their kids in day care, around J's age, have noticed an increase in milestones. Many are crawling, rolling all the way over. I wonder if because he has just me all day, he is a little slower to get to the crawling stage. I tend to sit him in the crib to get stuff done, then the car seat for errands, then the jumper while I cook, then the excersaucer while I catch my breath. Our time on the floor playing is really limited when you think about it... I should work hard on changing that...

He is getting very good at entertaining himself, but I feel guilty, should he have more? He is still only 7 months, and perhaps these other kids are just total geniuses, but I think my kid is a genius too! Joel (Big) claims it is because I cater to J's every whim and if he does not want to be on his stomach I move him in an instant. He says I need to practice some tough love.
For now we will enjoy our Gymboree and pool classes, but I do think he would benefit from some more interaction. We have to make some more dates to go out and hang out with other children. I have to say though, that when his 7-1/2 month old friend Max excitedly crawled to him last week I immediately covered J's eyes and instinctively said: "Do not learn how to do that." As I know, once the crawling sets in, fun is all over for Mommy!
He had a great time with Nana and is certainly tuckered out from it!

Poopers in the Pool Part II

Today we tried Poopers in the Pool for the third time, and I think it was a charm. He only cried once, and the remainder of the time he seemed to be having fun. He has really got this kicking thing down. I throw the duckie in the water and he excitedly kicks after it.
He also loves to splash, but really hates it when he gets water in his eyes. Grammie and Grumpy (my parents) are here visiting so, of course, Grumpy took about 100 photos of the outing. I edited it to include only the ones where I do not look like a total orca.
He is getting more and more used to the water, and maybe soon we can start learning about putting his head under. But for now we will enjoy the kicking and the splashing. It is a shame it is not more constructive, but hey we will take what we can get on the NH seacoast.
Now, off to Sunday River with Grammie and Grumpy. Swimming in the morning, skiing in the afternoon? He has the life!

Poopers in the Pool

Today was our first day for the baby/toddler pool class. As many of you may well know, when I was pregnant I took a pregnant lady yoga and pool class. I called it Preggos in the Pool. I thought Poopers in the Pool would be the next logical name for his swim classes.

Sadly, I am not taking the swim class with any of my Preggos in the Pool friends. I tried to get them to join me, but most of them are waiting until April to sign up, and even then they will be going on Saturday. As you also may well know, we tend to have weekend commitments that would prevent me from signing up for a Saturday class. As it was I only made about ½ of the Preggos in the Pool Saturday’s and rationalized paying it as Tuesday night yoga came with.

So, today we ventured by ourselves to “Poopers in the Pool.” I have to say, it was not the wonderful experience I had thought it would be. It is actually quite difficult to take him there. It is at 10:30, which is his usual nap wake up time, so I have to wake him up, get him dressed, and book it over there. We were on time I thought – but all of the other mothers were already there and almost in the pool. I hate being late.

Next observation. How freakin’ cold it is outside. Yes, his pool class started on the coldest day of the year. I had to get him all bundled, then unbundled for the 1 minute walk to the gym. I am trying not to bring the bucket with me everywhere anymore. 1, because it is really heavy with the 17 pounder in it, and 2 because I think he is just getting big for it now. None of my other friends lug the bucket around anymore, so I wonder if I am weird for doing it for so long. Plus, where is the bucket going to sit while we are in the pool?

So, he is in, ready to swim and the third observation, he is the youngest, by a lot. There was a 16-month old that was the next in age to him. Then 2 and 3 year olds. Ok, I thought. We went in and he was more interested in the other kids splashing around. He did really well. I put him on his tummy with his head up, and he kicked. He seems to be a natural in the pool. The teacher did some songs and there were some toys to entertain him, but most of it was lost on my little guy.

I think the good news of it all was that he was just becoming accustomed to the water. This is really important as we will be feet from the lake in the summer. But, I was not overly thrilled with the whole experience. We are locked in though, 7 more weeks. Perhaps it will get better? Maybe at least warmer? Regardless, next Fall I think we will be in the class.