After lunch, my daughter and I went back up the "magic carpets" to the top of the bunny slopes. She wanted to keep skiing! With me!
I went down diagonally and waited for her, like the instructor had. She came right down after me. We did this a few more times, and then the Pumpkin asked if we could go together. She said that is what she wanted--us to ski together. At the same time. (Like ski buddies!)
And so we did. I kept on the lower side of her, just in case. But she was doing great.
When we got to the end of a diagonal, we would stop facing the way we had come and slowly inch our skis around till we were facing the other way. But then, my daughter started turning at the end of the run so she was facing the other way once she stopped, ready to go on the next run.
I was very impressed, as she did this without me giving any instructions. I pointed it out to her. She said, "I just thought it would be easier to end facing the way we'd go next." Indeed it is! And I told her she had just naturally taken the next step in downhill skiing!
We made it to the bottom of the hill, with her getting better each run, and gaining in confidence. At the bottom, she looked at me with excitement and asked if we had time to go again. And we did! So we did!
My daughter and I skied down that bunny hill together! She was feeling so good about her skiing that she pointed out she was skiing faster than I was! I gave her a look and asked if she realized that I was going slower than her on purpose, and with chagrin she admitted she hadn't realized. I pointed out that although it had been a while since I skied, I was actually quite good and was only using the snowplow/pizza wedge method to stay with her. I think that gave her some insight into what would come next, and how much more she can learn, as she continues to learn to ski. Besides, I couldn't let her think she had already surpassed my skill in skiing! Confidence is good, but let's not overdo it!
When we reached the bottom, our time was up. We had had a fantastic time, and when we went into the lodge, she told my dad that it was "EPIC!" Epic! Hurray!
We are both looking forward to going skiing again, and my brother said he would love to go with us any time we were going. I foresee a lot of fun trips in our future! Unfortunately, this winter was so mild, we didn't have the opportunity to go again this winter. But I'm already starting to plan for next year...
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
We Take to the Slopes
In January, I planned a ski weekend for my family with my brother, his twins and my parents. (My sister and her kids couldn't make it.) I'm very lucky that we have family who has a house by a ski resort within a few hours of where we live, so we had a free place to stay. My brother and I priced out how much the skis, lift tickets and classes would be for us all, and we went for it!
I first learned to ski when we were on a trip to New Hampshire when I was probably 8 or 9. I remember... bundling up in my furry gray and white coat... how difficult it was to move around in skis... the lesson I took with my sister... how lost I felt when I slipped off the J-bar behind the trees when no one else was around... and the exhilaration of sliding down the hill while in control of my movements and speed! I loved it! After that, we went skiing pretty much every year at one of the ski resorts close to where we lived.
Londo used to ski, but he didn't grow up skiing like I did. Then, he hurt his knee pretty bad the last time he went skiing,--which was why it was the last time he went skiing. Londo really enjoyed skiing prior to that, and he supported taking the kids to learn to ski. In fact, he would have gone on the bunny slopes with us, except he got really sick with a cold and couldn't be outside and/or active. But he did come up for the weekend and stayed at the lodge with my parents while my brother and I took the four kids out to the slopes.
The Pumpkin was VERY excited to learn to ski. She was almost 10, and I felt she was ready to ski. When I first mentioned it a couple of months earlier, she immediately said she wanted to learn. The Pookie was not so sure. He is two years younger (7 and a half), and these days he gets anxious about learning new things or trying things outside his normal routines. But I showed them both a video of some little kid doing the pizza wedge (I grew up calling it the snowplow) down a bunny hill, and that got him interested. He thought it looked pretty easy and maybe even a little fun. He agreed to try it.
My brother's kids were only kind of interested, but they don't always want to try new things either. However, the twins are about to turn 11, and my brother wanted to make sure they at least attempted to learn at this age. He loves to ski as much as I do, so he wanted to share it with them. In order to preempt any arguments about it, he outright bribed them. He offered them each $10 if they at least tried the lesson.
We rented all our gear (with Londo being our hero and running across the entire resort to get us goggles even though he was sick); however we had to wait a while for the next class to begin. So my brother and I showed the kids how to put the skis on and take them off. We showed them how to move around on the flattish ground, but it is not nearly as easy as it looks! Still, the Pumpkin seemed to pick it up pretty quickly, and the Pookie fell a bit but seemed okay. My brother's son fell down constantly, but he got back up every time and kept trying. I was rather impressed with that grit! My brother's daughter struggled to move herself on the skis. I think she was getting pretty frustrated.
My brother and I took the beginners lesson with the kids (which turned out to be SUCH a good idea). When it started, the instructor had us take off our skis and go up the "magic carpets" to the top of the bunny slope.
When we got to the top, I learned that my brother's daughter had opted out. My brother made sure she understood that she would get $10 if she did the lesson, but she was uncomfortable and did not want to continue. (Luckily, the resort let him return her skis later for full reimbursement.) His son then asked if he would get the $10 even if he fell during the lesson, to which my brother said of course! So his daughter went into the lodge with Londo and my parents, and his son continued on with us.
The instructor was great, showing us how to move without our skis actually on. Then we tried with one ski on, then the other, and then both. The Pumpkin seems to pick up on it pretty well, and the Pookie struggled a bit but was making progress. My nephew was still falling a lot, but he continued to get back up and try again!
Then we started moving downhill. The instructor would go across the hill and a little ways down. Then she would signal the next person to come down, and then the next. Sometimes, she would come back up and help a person down (most of the class were kids, and it was everyone's first time, except my brother and me ). I watched as my daughter went down, doing pretty well for her first time! Then I went down... boy, it had been a long time since I've skied! Last time was before kids, so over 10 years ago!
And then I looked up to see my son hesitant to come down. I had been helping him quite a bit at the top of the hill, and I realized too late that I should not have come down before him. The instructor went up to help him, but I felt my heart in my throat when I watched him. He was nervous. He was not steady. Here was my boy up the hill on skis while I watched from below. He held on to the instructor's pole, which she held out horizontally, and came down with her.
The next two passes across the hill were as shallow as the first. The Pumpkin was still doing great, and I went down with the Pookie, with my pole out for him to hold. Then, the instructor went farther down the hill than she had before. I watched my brother, nephew and daughter do fine. Then, I went with the Pookie.
He was really anxious about this pass, since it was steeper than all the others. But I took him slowly, and he did okay. His biggest problem was keeping his skis in a wedge without crossing them, and I realized he would have done a lot better with shorter skis (lesson learned for next time). When we got to the stopping point of this pass, he fell over. I sat on the ground with him and pointed out that we had only a few more passes to go.
His eyes went wide.
"No, Mommy! I just can't do it!" He said to me, pleadingly. And I realized that was as much as he could do. He had done great! He had made it through the lesson itself, and we were just practicing pizza wedges to the bottom. He hadn't complained, he didn't have any meltdowns (something we are dealing with lately), and he really did try hard the whole time! He simply did not have the ability to keep his legs far enough apart in a wedge to keep the skis from crossing.
I looked up at my brother, who quickly said that he could go down with the Pumpkin and his son. She was doing really well and didn't need much supervision. I thanked him and took off my son's skis and my skis. I carried all the skis and poles, and the Pookie and I walked down the last part of the bunny hill.
Londo was at the bottom, and I watched the Pumpkin ski right up to him! She did great! When the Pookie and I walked up to him, I knew he was worried that our son had thrown some sort of fit, so I quickly explained how well he did and that we just walked down the last part. And we all went in to the lodge for lunch!
After lunch, we started talking about what we were doing next. Most people were ready to go back to the house. Just as I started to agree that we should all go back, the Pumpkin piped up, "I want to go back out and ski more! Mom, I wanted to ski with you."
YES! There it is... the thing I was hoping for... the beginnings of a Ski Buddy!
I've needed a ski buddy for years. With Londo not skiing any more (in fact, he stopped before we even met) and most people busy with their kids, I need someone to go with--ideally without leaving Londo with both kids for a weekend. And my kid wanted to go with me! I quickly agreed, and since we took two cars from the house, it worked out well.
This post is too long already, so I will write up my wonderful time skiing with my new ski buddy later.
But here was the after-lunch tally:
- Caramama: Happy to have a ski bunny and going back to the bunny slopes.
- The Pumpkin: LOVED skiing and going back to the bunny slopes.
- The Pookie: Tried skiing, but struggled enough for one day and going back to the house.
- Londo: Really quite sick and going back to the house.
- Brother: Going to the more advanced slopes for some time to ski by himself.
- Nephew: Tried skiing and did alright, but ready to go back to the house.
- Niece: Got on skis, but did not try skiing and very ready to go back to the house.
- Mom: Going back to the house.
- Dad: Staying in the lodge (working on his computer) to wait for us and drive us back. (Isn't he a great guy? This was totally his choice, too, since either my brother or I could have driven back.)
More to come...
I first learned to ski when we were on a trip to New Hampshire when I was probably 8 or 9. I remember... bundling up in my furry gray and white coat... how difficult it was to move around in skis... the lesson I took with my sister... how lost I felt when I slipped off the J-bar behind the trees when no one else was around... and the exhilaration of sliding down the hill while in control of my movements and speed! I loved it! After that, we went skiing pretty much every year at one of the ski resorts close to where we lived.
Londo used to ski, but he didn't grow up skiing like I did. Then, he hurt his knee pretty bad the last time he went skiing,--which was why it was the last time he went skiing. Londo really enjoyed skiing prior to that, and he supported taking the kids to learn to ski. In fact, he would have gone on the bunny slopes with us, except he got really sick with a cold and couldn't be outside and/or active. But he did come up for the weekend and stayed at the lodge with my parents while my brother and I took the four kids out to the slopes.
The Pumpkin was VERY excited to learn to ski. She was almost 10, and I felt she was ready to ski. When I first mentioned it a couple of months earlier, she immediately said she wanted to learn. The Pookie was not so sure. He is two years younger (7 and a half), and these days he gets anxious about learning new things or trying things outside his normal routines. But I showed them both a video of some little kid doing the pizza wedge (I grew up calling it the snowplow) down a bunny hill, and that got him interested. He thought it looked pretty easy and maybe even a little fun. He agreed to try it.
My brother's kids were only kind of interested, but they don't always want to try new things either. However, the twins are about to turn 11, and my brother wanted to make sure they at least attempted to learn at this age. He loves to ski as much as I do, so he wanted to share it with them. In order to preempt any arguments about it, he outright bribed them. He offered them each $10 if they at least tried the lesson.
We rented all our gear (with Londo being our hero and running across the entire resort to get us goggles even though he was sick); however we had to wait a while for the next class to begin. So my brother and I showed the kids how to put the skis on and take them off. We showed them how to move around on the flattish ground, but it is not nearly as easy as it looks! Still, the Pumpkin seemed to pick it up pretty quickly, and the Pookie fell a bit but seemed okay. My brother's son fell down constantly, but he got back up every time and kept trying. I was rather impressed with that grit! My brother's daughter struggled to move herself on the skis. I think she was getting pretty frustrated.
My brother and I took the beginners lesson with the kids (which turned out to be SUCH a good idea). When it started, the instructor had us take off our skis and go up the "magic carpets" to the top of the bunny slope.
When we got to the top, I learned that my brother's daughter had opted out. My brother made sure she understood that she would get $10 if she did the lesson, but she was uncomfortable and did not want to continue. (Luckily, the resort let him return her skis later for full reimbursement.) His son then asked if he would get the $10 even if he fell during the lesson, to which my brother said of course! So his daughter went into the lodge with Londo and my parents, and his son continued on with us.
The instructor was great, showing us how to move without our skis actually on. Then we tried with one ski on, then the other, and then both. The Pumpkin seems to pick up on it pretty well, and the Pookie struggled a bit but was making progress. My nephew was still falling a lot, but he continued to get back up and try again!
Then we started moving downhill. The instructor would go across the hill and a little ways down. Then she would signal the next person to come down, and then the next. Sometimes, she would come back up and help a person down (most of the class were kids, and it was everyone's first time, except my brother and me ). I watched as my daughter went down, doing pretty well for her first time! Then I went down... boy, it had been a long time since I've skied! Last time was before kids, so over 10 years ago!
And then I looked up to see my son hesitant to come down. I had been helping him quite a bit at the top of the hill, and I realized too late that I should not have come down before him. The instructor went up to help him, but I felt my heart in my throat when I watched him. He was nervous. He was not steady. Here was my boy up the hill on skis while I watched from below. He held on to the instructor's pole, which she held out horizontally, and came down with her.
The next two passes across the hill were as shallow as the first. The Pumpkin was still doing great, and I went down with the Pookie, with my pole out for him to hold. Then, the instructor went farther down the hill than she had before. I watched my brother, nephew and daughter do fine. Then, I went with the Pookie.
He was really anxious about this pass, since it was steeper than all the others. But I took him slowly, and he did okay. His biggest problem was keeping his skis in a wedge without crossing them, and I realized he would have done a lot better with shorter skis (lesson learned for next time). When we got to the stopping point of this pass, he fell over. I sat on the ground with him and pointed out that we had only a few more passes to go.
His eyes went wide.
"No, Mommy! I just can't do it!" He said to me, pleadingly. And I realized that was as much as he could do. He had done great! He had made it through the lesson itself, and we were just practicing pizza wedges to the bottom. He hadn't complained, he didn't have any meltdowns (something we are dealing with lately), and he really did try hard the whole time! He simply did not have the ability to keep his legs far enough apart in a wedge to keep the skis from crossing.
I looked up at my brother, who quickly said that he could go down with the Pumpkin and his son. She was doing really well and didn't need much supervision. I thanked him and took off my son's skis and my skis. I carried all the skis and poles, and the Pookie and I walked down the last part of the bunny hill.
Londo was at the bottom, and I watched the Pumpkin ski right up to him! She did great! When the Pookie and I walked up to him, I knew he was worried that our son had thrown some sort of fit, so I quickly explained how well he did and that we just walked down the last part. And we all went in to the lodge for lunch!
After lunch, we started talking about what we were doing next. Most people were ready to go back to the house. Just as I started to agree that we should all go back, the Pumpkin piped up, "I want to go back out and ski more! Mom, I wanted to ski with you."
YES! There it is... the thing I was hoping for... the beginnings of a Ski Buddy!
I've needed a ski buddy for years. With Londo not skiing any more (in fact, he stopped before we even met) and most people busy with their kids, I need someone to go with--ideally without leaving Londo with both kids for a weekend. And my kid wanted to go with me! I quickly agreed, and since we took two cars from the house, it worked out well.
This post is too long already, so I will write up my wonderful time skiing with my new ski buddy later.
But here was the after-lunch tally:
- Caramama: Happy to have a ski bunny and going back to the bunny slopes.
- The Pumpkin: LOVED skiing and going back to the bunny slopes.
- The Pookie: Tried skiing, but struggled enough for one day and going back to the house.
- Londo: Really quite sick and going back to the house.
- Brother: Going to the more advanced slopes for some time to ski by himself.
- Nephew: Tried skiing and did alright, but ready to go back to the house.
- Niece: Got on skis, but did not try skiing and very ready to go back to the house.
- Mom: Going back to the house.
- Dad: Staying in the lodge (working on his computer) to wait for us and drive us back. (Isn't he a great guy? This was totally his choice, too, since either my brother or I could have driven back.)
More to come...
Monday, December 14, 2009
Question of the Week - Don't Jinx It!
Today, the Pookie is 6 months old! I can't believe it's been half of a year since we've had him in our lives and we've been a family of four (six, if you count the animals). Happy Half-Birthday to the Pookie!
--------------------------
On Friday, I was talking on the phone with Londo. Something about the Pumpkin's sleeping came up, and Londo mentioned that since she turned two, she has mostly been sleeping through the night in her own bed. I've discussed before how she doesn't always and what our parenting stance is on that, but I'd say about 2/3s to 3/4s of her nights since she turned two have been her sleeping through on her own.
Anyway, Londo dared to say the words out loud! And added that she's been sleeping through all the time lately! I quickly said, "Don't say it! You'll jinx it!"
Londo responded, "I don't believe it'll jinx it. It's not like this is football. She's either going to sleep well or not, regardless of whether we talk about it."
Now I'd like to point out three things:
1. Londo totally believes that random things people do or say WILL jinx a football game, team or player.
2. Friday night? The Pumpkin woke up from bad dreams before midnight and spent a rough, unsettled night in our bed. Therefore, the jinx happened (and I totally blame Londo).
3. Now that I've written about it, I am fully aware that I've jinxed it and she'll certainly be up tonight.
So this week's question of the week is:
What jinxes do you believe in?
While I roll my eyes at wearing a sports hat a certain way because it will affect a game, I totally believe that talking about good sleep means the end of it. I've just seen it happen time and time again. Of course, with my bad sleepers, it probably would happen anyway, but I try not to chance it.
How about you? Do you think you can jinx something? What do you do to ensure your favorite sports team wins?
--------------------------
On Friday, I was talking on the phone with Londo. Something about the Pumpkin's sleeping came up, and Londo mentioned that since she turned two, she has mostly been sleeping through the night in her own bed. I've discussed before how she doesn't always and what our parenting stance is on that, but I'd say about 2/3s to 3/4s of her nights since she turned two have been her sleeping through on her own.
Anyway, Londo dared to say the words out loud! And added that she's been sleeping through all the time lately! I quickly said, "Don't say it! You'll jinx it!"
Londo responded, "I don't believe it'll jinx it. It's not like this is football. She's either going to sleep well or not, regardless of whether we talk about it."
Now I'd like to point out three things:
1. Londo totally believes that random things people do or say WILL jinx a football game, team or player.
2. Friday night? The Pumpkin woke up from bad dreams before midnight and spent a rough, unsettled night in our bed. Therefore, the jinx happened (and I totally blame Londo).
3. Now that I've written about it, I am fully aware that I've jinxed it and she'll certainly be up tonight.
So this week's question of the week is:
What jinxes do you believe in?
While I roll my eyes at wearing a sports hat a certain way because it will affect a game, I totally believe that talking about good sleep means the end of it. I've just seen it happen time and time again. Of course, with my bad sleepers, it probably would happen anyway, but I try not to chance it.
How about you? Do you think you can jinx something? What do you do to ensure your favorite sports team wins?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Question of the Week - Olympic Moment
I've got a bunch of thoughts swirling around in my head. Again, there is a lot I want to write about, but I am both too busy with other things and not centered enough to get it out. Yet.
Besides, today is Monday! No one wants to hear deep thoughts on Monday. And since the Olympics just wrapped up, let's reflect on that. After this, I promise to be done with the Olympics. I'll be back to asking what your favorite color is and why you like your kids.
Here's the Question of the Week:
What was your favorite moment of the 2008 Olympics?
My favorite moment was when Nastia Liukin took gold and Shawn Johnson got silver in the women's all around in gymnastics. It was an amazing 1-2 that they had been hoping for, and they both look just so thrilled!
How about you? Not everyone can pick the finish of the freestyle relay, although I suspect that BBM's favorite moment will involve Michael Phelps body is some way. ;-)
Besides, today is Monday! No one wants to hear deep thoughts on Monday. And since the Olympics just wrapped up, let's reflect on that. After this, I promise to be done with the Olympics. I'll be back to asking what your favorite color is and why you like your kids.
Here's the Question of the Week:
What was your favorite moment of the 2008 Olympics?
My favorite moment was when Nastia Liukin took gold and Shawn Johnson got silver in the women's all around in gymnastics. It was an amazing 1-2 that they had been hoping for, and they both look just so thrilled!
How about you? Not everyone can pick the finish of the freestyle relay, although I suspect that BBM's favorite moment will involve Michael Phelps body is some way. ;-)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Question of the Week - Favorite Sport
In honor of the Olympics, I'm wondering:
What is your favorite sport to watch?
It doesn't need to be an Olympic sport, after all it is about to be football season and I know that's Londo's favorite sport.
Mine is definitely gymnastics, and (as I've mentioned before) I love the Olympics especially because of the gymnastics. (PLEASE don't tell me the result from last night. I have it recorded and plan to watch it tonight!) My second favorite sport to watch is football. I loves me some football, especially the Redskins. I am indeed ready for some football!
What about you? Do you have a favorite sport to watch? Do tell!
What is your favorite sport to watch?
It doesn't need to be an Olympic sport, after all it is about to be football season and I know that's Londo's favorite sport.
Mine is definitely gymnastics, and (as I've mentioned before) I love the Olympics especially because of the gymnastics. (PLEASE don't tell me the result from last night. I have it recorded and plan to watch it tonight!) My second favorite sport to watch is football. I loves me some football, especially the Redskins. I am indeed ready for some football!
What about you? Do you have a favorite sport to watch? Do tell!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Question of the Week - You've GOT To Get This
Let me warn you all... I'm completely into the Olympics. I'm held in it's thrall. I'm spending my days wishing I could watch more and read more about it. Especially gynmastics. I do love gymnastics. I also love swimming and enjoy diving and beach vollyball. You know what else I love? All those sappy commercials that make me tear up (Go World is right!) and inspirational stories that make me wish that everyone could win gold medals.
The reason I call this a warning is for three reasons:
1. Next week's Question of the Week will be about the Olympics, so you all better be watching at least something if you want to give an answer.
2. I will likely be referencing the Olympics in blog posts from now until closing ceremonies (and maybe after).
3. When I should be reading everyone else's blogs and even writing my own posts, there is a good chance that instead I'm reading Olympic news stories and/or watching the Olympics. Sorry if I'm not around as much as I'd like to be. Just when I'd finally caught up on my Reader and was discovering new blogs, too, and trying to really participate in Blog the Recession. If only blogging was an Olympic sport...
But I do have a non-Olympic related Question of the Week for this week. I had a whole story about a coworker's babyshower and a good friend's upcoming due date, but I'm busy reading about Olympic gymnastics. So let's just get to the Question of the Week already:
What baby/child item did you originally think was unnecessary but is now vital to you?
Mine is the video monitor. When Londo first mentioned wanting a video monitor, I told him I thought it was unnecessary. I totally blew it off and instead bought the audio monitor that I had already researched and picked out. It turns out that since we live in such a busy area with neighboring houses full of babies and toddlers and all the monitors to go with them, our audio monitor got constant interference. So we needed a new monitor.
I decided tojust give in to my husband's pestering compromise with my husband and try out the video monitor he'd been researching. If it worked well and we thought it was worth the cost, we'd keep it. If not, we'd return it.
Not only have we kept it, I truly think it was one of the best baby/child purchases we made, especially for our particular child. I may have mentioned that my lovely daughter has not been the best sleeper over the last 17 months of her life. Well, with the video monitor, we are able to see if her fussing is just her getting comfy and going back to sleep or her standing up and waiting for us to come get her. Since she's not one who can get herself back to sleep (darn her lack of self-soothing capapbilities!) and we aren't going to do CIO, the video monitor keeps us from guessing about when we really need to go in. It's been fantastic for us!
How about you? Do you have a purchase that you rolled your eyes at but later came to regard with reverence? Which underdog baby/child item moved ahead to win the gold in your house?
The reason I call this a warning is for three reasons:
1. Next week's Question of the Week will be about the Olympics, so you all better be watching at least something if you want to give an answer.
2. I will likely be referencing the Olympics in blog posts from now until closing ceremonies (and maybe after).
3. When I should be reading everyone else's blogs and even writing my own posts, there is a good chance that instead I'm reading Olympic news stories and/or watching the Olympics. Sorry if I'm not around as much as I'd like to be. Just when I'd finally caught up on my Reader and was discovering new blogs, too, and trying to really participate in Blog the Recession. If only blogging was an Olympic sport...
But I do have a non-Olympic related Question of the Week for this week. I had a whole story about a coworker's babyshower and a good friend's upcoming due date, but I'm busy reading about Olympic gymnastics. So let's just get to the Question of the Week already:
What baby/child item did you originally think was unnecessary but is now vital to you?
Mine is the video monitor. When Londo first mentioned wanting a video monitor, I told him I thought it was unnecessary. I totally blew it off and instead bought the audio monitor that I had already researched and picked out. It turns out that since we live in such a busy area with neighboring houses full of babies and toddlers and all the monitors to go with them, our audio monitor got constant interference. So we needed a new monitor.
I decided to
Not only have we kept it, I truly think it was one of the best baby/child purchases we made, especially for our particular child. I may have mentioned that my lovely daughter has not been the best sleeper over the last 17 months of her life. Well, with the video monitor, we are able to see if her fussing is just her getting comfy and going back to sleep or her standing up and waiting for us to come get her. Since she's not one who can get herself back to sleep (darn her lack of self-soothing capapbilities!) and we aren't going to do CIO, the video monitor keeps us from guessing about when we really need to go in. It's been fantastic for us!
How about you? Do you have a purchase that you rolled your eyes at but later came to regard with reverence? Which underdog baby/child item moved ahead to win the gold in your house?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Passing the Non-Olympic Torch
Growing up, my dad made a point to do father-daughter activities with me. My dad would think of some group or sport that he thought sounded interesting to both of us and ask if I wanted to do it. The first one I remember was Indian Princesses, which was kind of like Girl Scouts, but specifically for fathers and daughters to do together. It was great fun.
When I got a little older, he asked if I wanted to try gymnastics. I always loved tumbling and climbing. I had always had great balance and flexibility. Gymnastics sounded perfect to me. This may not sound like a father-daughter activity, but my dad had done gymnastics when he was younger and understood a lot about the sport. So, he would take me to the gym for my Saturday morning classes, and he would sit up in the waiting area that overlooked the entire gym. After the classes, he would drive me home and we would talk about what I did, what I liked, what I wanted to work on and also what he used to do and like.
And let me tell you, I loved gymnastics! That sport was right up my alley! I had so much fun in the classes, learning all the equipment, tumbling, climbing, flipping, dancing around. But the best part was feeling a special connection with my dad, who not only took the time to drive me there and back, but stayed to watch the whole time. Because he understood what the moves were and how the equipment was supposed to be used, he could relate to what I was doing and give advice when I needed it. It was more than just a sport, it was a father-daughter activity.
Tomorrow morning, I will take my almost 1 year old to her first tumbling class. At this point, since she is so young, I am picking what activities we do together. We are doing a free trial class at Little Gym, and it's a parent participation class so that the toddlers have our help. If she seems to enjoy it, I will sign us up for the rest of the semester and continue as long as she seems to enjoy it. When she gets older, I will not push her into any sport that she doesn't want to do, but I will come up with ideas and give her options I think she will like, as my dad did for me. The Pumpkin has been early with her gross motor skills and loves to roll around and be flipped up and down. I have this feeling that right now, for her and for us as a mother/daughter activity, this class will be perfect.
I am participating in The Parent Bloggers Network's Blast from the Past today. They are celebrating Highlights Magazine's new publication High Five, which is for ages 2-6. Remeber Highlights Magazine? They are celebrating 60 years of publication. If you are feeling nostalgic, you should participate. You might win a prize!
When I got a little older, he asked if I wanted to try gymnastics. I always loved tumbling and climbing. I had always had great balance and flexibility. Gymnastics sounded perfect to me. This may not sound like a father-daughter activity, but my dad had done gymnastics when he was younger and understood a lot about the sport. So, he would take me to the gym for my Saturday morning classes, and he would sit up in the waiting area that overlooked the entire gym. After the classes, he would drive me home and we would talk about what I did, what I liked, what I wanted to work on and also what he used to do and like.
And let me tell you, I loved gymnastics! That sport was right up my alley! I had so much fun in the classes, learning all the equipment, tumbling, climbing, flipping, dancing around. But the best part was feeling a special connection with my dad, who not only took the time to drive me there and back, but stayed to watch the whole time. Because he understood what the moves were and how the equipment was supposed to be used, he could relate to what I was doing and give advice when I needed it. It was more than just a sport, it was a father-daughter activity.
Tomorrow morning, I will take my almost 1 year old to her first tumbling class. At this point, since she is so young, I am picking what activities we do together. We are doing a free trial class at Little Gym, and it's a parent participation class so that the toddlers have our help. If she seems to enjoy it, I will sign us up for the rest of the semester and continue as long as she seems to enjoy it. When she gets older, I will not push her into any sport that she doesn't want to do, but I will come up with ideas and give her options I think she will like, as my dad did for me. The Pumpkin has been early with her gross motor skills and loves to roll around and be flipped up and down. I have this feeling that right now, for her and for us as a mother/daughter activity, this class will be perfect.
I am participating in The Parent Bloggers Network's Blast from the Past today. They are celebrating Highlights Magazine's new publication High Five, which is for ages 2-6. Remeber Highlights Magazine? They are celebrating 60 years of publication. If you are feeling nostalgic, you should participate. You might win a prize!
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