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!

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!

Gymnast

All the kids got a blue ribbon at the last gymnastics class.  They each had their name called and received their ribbon on "the podium."  Hans LOVED standing up there with his ribbon high in the air.  What a difference the last few months have made.  When he raised his ribbon high beaming with a big smile as the class cheered his teacher said, "Now that's a gymnast!"

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.

Soccer Stars

Soccer has started!  The boys have been excited about it for a few weeks, but on the forefront of Hans' mind was whether he'd get a special t-shirt.  The fact that Freddie had gotten a baseball uniform and he had not evidently did not sit well with him, although he never brought it up until he asked if he'd get a special soccer shirt.  My boys are definitely about the accessories and gear.  They take after their dad on that one.  

My plan was for Hans to do soccer, but since Freddie's age group is on the field at the same time I went ahead and signed up the both of them.  Seemed perfect until Hans realized Freddie was in a different group.  There were lots of tears and reluctance to join his buds on the field.  He finally participated some, but half hearted at best.  He didn't really take his hands out of his pockets as he gave the ball some kicks into the goal.  

To be honest, it was a little chaotic because so many parents were involved and that didn't help Hans' reluctance.  I get that it's hard to watch your kid not know exactly what to do but waiting for a little redirection and clarification from the coach is part of learning.  But I digress..anyway, I think next week will be better since Hans is prepared to separate from Freddie and he'll switch to an older group where the kids seem a bit more independent.  

I should have known to prepare Hans that he'd be doing his own thing.  It's hard being the little brother, and Mommy will do better in recognizing those challenges in advance next time.  

Next week there will be some action shots!