Climb!

Winter means getting creative to make sure the boys get some physical activity.  Unfortunately the neighborhood pool has been closed since the fall for resurfacing so the boys haven't been swimming. Thankfully we found this gym pretty close to home.  Both boys enjoy the two hour weekend session.

 It's been good for Freddie's confidence and fear of heights.

Opening Day

Little League 2016 if off to a rocky start.  Last week the boys were trained out.  This week, we were expecting rain, it was cloudy, and it was COLD!  Not exactly ball playing weather but we headed out to Central Park.

The boys are on the same team, The Robins.  I registered them both for the kindergarten league so we could all be together, rather than split up to opposite ends of Central Park with games scheduled at different times.  Hans was pumped to be playing with "big kids" and Freddie was pumped to "be the best."  Pretty much had to tell Freddie that he'd dominate the kindergarten boys for him to agree to play on the kindergarten league.  Hans takes pride in being the littlest at swimming and I knew he'd feel the same about baseball because he has no trouble keeping up.

 I wish I could say the game was fun, but it wasn't.  It was way too cold to be standing around outside.

Hans on third base

I tried to enjoy watching them.  It was  cute.  It is still hard for me to wrap my mind around this being my boys' childhood....little league in Central Park.

Freddie batting

We warmed up and chowed down at Shake Shack.

That made everyone happy.

Hoping for sunshine and a picnic next week!

Freddie vs. The Rope

I thought with moving to the "big gym" with older kids Freddie's in interest in gymnastics may wane as it is more serious and a little intimidating, especially considering Freddie is rather cautious and afraid of heights.  He's not the boy jumping off equipment and doing flips on the money bars at the playground, but gymnastics has given him more confidence in many areas.

And well, I should have known to to underestimate this guy.  He's the smallest and one of the youngest, and doesn't know any of the other boys but he is loving his time in the big gym.  He isn't even intimated by the big equipment.  In fact, he was counting dow the days this week until he got his first attempt on "the rope."

He got all the way to the bottom railing of the balcony and didn't look afraid until it was time to slide down.  I was shocked he was strong enough or brave enough to go that high.  We watch the older boys climb to the ceiling each week, so Freddie's got himself a goal.

Gymnasts

Both boys have completed a year of gymnastics.  Whew.  It was a big commitment to tram it over and then walk 11 blocks each Wednesday afternoon, a big commitment for all of us.  We made it in all kinds of weather, usually without much complaining because the boys really, really loved it.

Freddie said he learned a lot in gymnastics, and when I asked "like what?" thinking he'd say something about a pike or birds nest he said "it helped me to be brave."  So yes, all worth it.  He's definitely more confident when it comes to heights and trying new physical challenges, but he's also gained overall confidence and determination.  Although Hansie is not yet able to articulate his gymnastics take aways, I attribute some of his social growth and new confidence to gymnastics.

Freddie's ribbon has taken a place of honor, hanging from his trophy.  He's asked for a special table to display them!  I suppose he intends to earn several more.

Despite my nudging to just stick to swimming (which is a 5 minute walk) both boys opted to enroll in gymnastics again next year. So we'll make the trek uptown for another year.

Swim Team

Can you see Freddie in the blue goggles on the left?

Parents aren't allowed on the deck, so I don't really have any photos from swim team.  I decided to take my big camera and try to get a few, but they really aren't very interesting.

Freddie has been working on freestyle, backstroke, and he's also just started learning breaststroke.

His biggest challenge is general endurance and keeping up with the older and bigger kids.

Oh, and kicking.  He cannot seem to kick and move his arms at the same time.  Smile.  I'm sure his coaches are telling him to kick in this photo...

Someone is typically walking the lane with him either yelling to kick or giving him a sig that he needs to kick and kick harder.

He has made a great deal of improvement in the 2 months he's been swimming with the bigger crowd.  I'm impressed he's stuck with it and continues to press on.

He can manage to pass his buddies on backstroke.

Hans is also making considerable progress during his practice.  His teacher always talks about his amazing focus and really working to execute the skill as instructed.

He has been working on freestyle and backstroke, with a lot of emphasis being on building up strength for kicking and breathing techniques.

Hans is also gaining a whole new group of friends from swimming.  Some of the kids are friends of Freddie's from school and others are just neighborhood kids we see around.  It's nice for him to know some kids that have nothing to do with Freddie.

I'm thankful for the pool and swimming three times a week as we enter the dark days of winter where we don't want to leave the house and no one is getting enough physical activity.  Swimming is great exercise for these guys and they are both learning about hard work, sportsmanship, and listening to a coach.

Gymnastics

The last of the boys' "extracurricular" activities has been added to the mix.  They'll both have gymnastics on Wednesday nights.

Freddie has been asking for over a year to take gymnastics but finding something close to home is impossible, and finding something affordable is also impossible.  I really was not willing to take a train downtown and shell out $45 for a 45 minute class.  Last season Hans tried out this gym relatively close to us, well when the weather is nice I consider it to be close but trudging through the snow will be a whole other story.  He enrolled in one of their classes mostly so I could check it out before signing Freddie up, since the commitment is yearlong and the fees are paid in the beginning of the year in one lump sum.  It was a great experience for Hans during the few months he tried it and I decided to take the plunge and register both boys in June for the upcoming fall season which is just now getting underway.  Both boys' classes filled quickly and I felt lucky to get a spot.  I also feel relieved that they both are LOVING it.

Not only was it a big expense, it is a big commitment.  We spend two hours at the gym with their back to back classes on a Wednesday evening.  It means a "late" night coming home and getting into bed.  For us, that means the boys are in bed with lights out about 8.20pm.  What can I say, we're early birds and they need their sleep!  Hopefully we get into a groove and can manage this one late night a week.  It's a great work out for them, something they'll need come winter when we're indoors a lot.  Their teacher is also rather tough and has high expectations for behavior, effort, and respect which is also something I appreciate.  Nice for them to get some practice in discipline and self control in another area.

Freddie on the cargo net.  He did make it to the top but quickly scampered down.

Freddie is the only boy in his class which doesn't bother him one bit.  His biggest challenge is going to be his fear of heights.  I saw him struggling with his fears on the cargo net and on a piece of equipment they call "the bridge," which pretty much resembles playground monkey bars which they walk across.  I wasn't able to get any photos because the parents are not allowed in the gym, and I have a feeling they'll soon be closing the curtains.   Hopefully I can get in a few photos and updates on gymnastics soon!

Last Game of the Season

The Purple Team had their last game of the season on Saturday.  I'm a little sad for the season to come to an end.  Spending Saturdays in Central Park was a perfect spring outing each week.  Freddie gained some new knowledge of the game, but we'll probably have to spend some time watching games and playing at home for him to *really* get it.  For the most part, I think he got the impression that baseball is pretty slow and boring.  Yeah, I kinda agree.

I wonder if he'll want to do it again next season, although he'll be old enough for the neighborhood league so some peer pressure and his general desire to be included will probably get him to sign up.  This year I'm glad we did the Central Park team.  I am always impressed with his ability to go out there and make new friends and stand on his own.  Hopefully he continues to be so confident.  I'm proud of him for trying something new and for paying close attention to his coach, even when it was not even attempting to field a ball that rolled right next to him because "But Mama, Coach said only ONE guy get the ball and Tai (who was on third base) was running for the ball (near first base)."  Love that boy!

Yes, More Baseball

But this time it's a video!

Wish y'all could be here!

Another Peek at Baseball...

Just a few shots from the game…

Lots of work on base running, which was very much needed.

Love the tongue wagging as he runs hard for home.

He managed a few hits and still doesn't need the tee.

And he entertained himself in the outfield…

Not sure this qualifies as the "ready position" they talk about

A yawn

Lots of waves and blowing kisses

Thankful for these Saturday mornings.  Cannot think of a better way to spend them.

Soccer

For Hans, soccer went over much better this week than last.  Although he is the youngest, he did very well.

He followed instructions and kept up with the other kids.

He also didn't have any issues separating from Freddie this week.  Whew.

He listened and followed instructions closely, and managed to keep his hands off the ball!

This soccer teaches the basics of the game and works on soccer skills, rather than actually playing a game against another team.

It's a good introduction to soccer for him, as well as an introduction into being his own person without Freddie.  He's finding success on all fronts.

Meanwhile on the other end of the field, Freddie was enjoying his time with the group.

The calastetics and warm up are entertaining.  His jumping jacks are improving.

Freddie was all over the field working the drills.

But he still had time to throw me kisses, wave, and flash his smile.

Out of focus but so sweet.

 I did overhear him say he prefers soccer over baseball because "it's easier."  He certainly runs harder.  Perhaps the fast pace keeps him engaged a little more.

I love watching him play.  His enthusiasm makes me smile.