Our little Karate Kid...

I am SO behind on my blogging.  So far behind that I have actually had a bit of anxiety about it.  Crazy I know for something that I do because I love to do it, not because I have to do it.  Really though, even though I love to blog when I get behind I feel like I am losing the moment in it's entirety.  I'm sure all bloggers understand this RIGHT???

It's no secret by now that Sam is in Karate.  He's been going to Karate for about 3 Months (give or take) now and was able to participate in his first belt test.  I have not sat and watched him in class because I know my being there would be more of a distraction than he needs so I have opted to stay away during class time.  He tells me frequently about breaking wood with his hands and weapon practice, but unfortunately I still can't attest to this even after his testing.  Those areas weren't anything he was tested on.  Darn! 

Anyway,  his testing took place on Oct. 27th.  We had to go to new territory so this set the anxiety in for Sam.  He was out of his element and nervous to be testing in front of someone he hasn't ever seen, in a place he had never stepped foot in.  The place was SUPER small and OVERLY crowded.  I'm hoping that not all tests take place there because it was quite stuffy, even I was feeling claustrophobic.  Totally unlike me.  Those who know Bill can only begin to imagine how he was feeling in such closed quarters, not good.  The temperature in that place is a whole other topic... you can only begin to imagine the heat in a room packed with excited parents and nervous students.  BRUTAL!  Not to mention the sweaty smell that quickly consumed the tiny room.  Ugh. 

Okay, okay back to the Karate...
I'm still so unfamiliar with this Karate stuff, but I do know that he was tested on several different 'techniques' (for lack of a better word).  The Master went through a whole series of different blocks, punches, kicks... A language I just don't understand.  Poor Sam was holding back so much.  He was so small standing there in that room... I wasn't 100% of how well he was doing either because it was such unfamiliar territory for me.  One thing he was though is CUTE!  I loved watching him do his thing.  Whether he was doing it  right or wrong he made it worth watching.  

Yes, he had gum in his mouth and NO, it's not allowed in the Dojo...
Oops.  Lesson learned.  The Master let him know and made him spit it out eventually.  

All in all he did well.  He earned his yellow belt and was so proud of himself.  We are proud of him too.  I hope in the future I can learn more about Karate and understand what it is that he is working so hard to achieve.  He loves it and I will love it because he does.  However, I do think I need to watch Karate Kid a time or two to understand it all.  LOL

After he tested, we took him out for lunch at our favorite ice cream joint... Leatherby's.  Can't get any better than that can it?  

Oh, and know what else is cool???

Sam even got his name embroidered on his new yellow belt. 

Guess what name he chose.....

None other than SAM I AM!  

Such a good sport that kid.  

Swimming 2012 Part 2

We all know that Sam started swimming lessons this year, 

and we also know that he is doing remarkably well.

We know this because I already blogged about it...

HERE

If you don't know about this, then you had probably pay better attention. 

Well, as I mentioned in that first post, Sam was able to start and was doing remarkably well.  After his first session he advanced up to level 2 without any struggle at all.  He is currently in his fourth session of lessons and is stuck, right there at level two.  Not because he isn't progressing, but because he is simply far too small to obtain the endurance necessary for a level three swimmer.  A level three Swimmer has to be able to swim a long distance without stopping.  He just isn't capable of that yet.

  He is still doing awesome, 

and is fearless as ever.

The below videos were taken on the last day of his third session during testing.  

As you can see from the video he gets winded easily which is why he can't move on to level three.  It really frustrates him, but he understands that practice is what will help him get where he needs to be to advance.

That's one good lookin' boy!

Now, as mentioned in my previous post we had it planned for Brenna to start swimming lessons after she completed school and wrapped up her dance obligations.

She started her first session with total fear of water.  Didn't want to do it, didn't want to get her face wet, didn't even want to try.  Fortunately Brenna's little friend Karis was starting swimming with her, which I feel gave her the extra push to just challenge herself. 

I was completely shocked that on her second day of swimming she wasn't only getting her face wet, but she was completely submerging herself.

This is a HUGE step for her considering she would have major melt downs if one was to even suggest that she attempt to submerge herself. 

(I personally think having a friend in class with her was a huge benefit simply because she didn't want to look like a sissy)

I am so proud of her for pushing through her fear and just doing it.  

Much to her surprise, the water isn't that bad nor is there a need to be scared of it.

Now that she has completed her first session she is doing far more than just submerging herself.  She is working on some strokes, floating on her back, blowing bubbles through her nose and mouth, and also swimming on her back.  Both she and her friend Karis successfully completed level one and have now moved on to level two. 

This girl is just AWESOME!

In the newest session we started this week, both Brenna and Sam are in level 2 together along with Brenna's friend Karis.  

I was originally concerned about having Brenna and Sam in the same class together because of how competitive they are with one another, but thus far it hasn't seemed to be a problem. 

I have paid for a total of 6 sessions between the two kids this summer so I feel it best to call it good after this session is over.  

Brenna has dance starting again soon

(She made an Extreme Dance Team, more to come on that in a different post so watch for it!)

and Sam has expressed interest in Karate so we will be looking into that soon as well.

The kids have both worked so hard at their extra-curricular activities this summer, I feel a short break will be beneficial before things start back up again! 

Happy Summer EVERYONE!

Hope you are all enjoying your's as much as we have!

Swimming 2012

Sam just wrapped up his first week of swim lessons and he is doing AMAZING!

I don't ever remember taking swim lessons as a kid

(though this doesn't mean it didn't happen)

so I never really felt it important for my own kids.

ATTN:  I have since been corrected by my beautiful mother "You all took swimming lessons Jess.  Yup You Did!"

(Her exact words)

One day I was sitting there watching my daughter at the pool and was baffled by just how much like me she is.  She was wading in the water at the pool being very cautious of every move she made.  Trying her very best to stay clear of splashing water and when she did get hit in the face with a good splash you could just see the anxiety overwhelm her as she tried to very quickly wipe the water from her face...

She is JUST like her Mother!

When I met my husband it was a big joke of how legitimately TERRIFIED I was of water.  I even panicked when I had to wash my face in the shower.  I hated water than much.

Now here my Brenna was with the very same fear.

I know first hand just how horrible that anxiety is and just how much panic is felt by not trusting being in water... regardless how deep it was.  I don't want my kids to feel that.

This is when I KNEW I had to do something to help relieve this anxiety for Brenna and ensure that Sam never had to experience it. 

I felt Swim Lessons were the best solution!

Brenna is still in school (damn year round) so unfortunately she couldn't participate in the first two sessions of swim lessons.  She can't start until after the 4th of July holiday. 

(Sad face)

Sam however could so I decided to let him start without her.  He doesn't have this same fear as Brenna so I feel it is good that he given the time to progress without the added competition of his sister.  Brenna is very insecure that Sam is better at swimming than she is so I am hoping that Sam will advance to the next stage before she starts allowing them to both have their own space and goals to work toward.  

Their competitiveness is probably the greatest challenge I face as a parent to children so close in age.  I hope that by them participating in the same activity, but allowing them to both work at their own pace will show them that it is okay if one learns a bit faster than the other.  In the end they can both achieve the same goal without the need to compete with one another.  

Anyway, Sam has been doing very well.  He is far more advanced in the water that the other kids in his level.  This is shocking to me simply because I am not a swimmer and haven't really taken the time to work with either of my kids on swimming technique.  Sam is just a "natural born fish" as his instructors would say.  He is actually swimming under water for a short period of time, floating on his back, and picking up on some of the strokes.  The kids in the next level up are so much bigger than he is and it is weird to think that he is so close to advancing up to the level they are at.  In order to advance they have to be able to push off the wall, swim a short distance, and then keep themselves afloat in waters that they can't touch the ground.  Sam is seriously almost there.

He has three more weeks of swim lessons before Brenna starts.  I really think that he will move up and my plan of no competition will work out.