All Sports Review

Dear Dylan,

Since you love sports so much right now, I decided to sign you up for a class at the YMCA, called "All Sports".  I was very nervous about it.  I was worried you would be too aggressive for the other kids.  I was worried you would always hog the ball.  I was worried you would have a total meltdown if you lost a game, or missed a goal.  I wasn't being very optimistic, was I?  Good thing I don't have to put a penny in "Mr. Negative Pig" for negative thoughts!

Turns out, I didn't need to spend my time doing all that worrying.  You loved the All Sports class, and I loved watching you.  Unfortunately, I had a "mommy brain" moment, and forgot to take you to the first class (again... sorry!), so you missed Soccer.  You were sick for Flag Football.  You got to try Kickball, Tee ball, Basketball, and Hockey.

These are the things I want to remember...

*How adorable you and the other kids looked doing the stretching exercises.
*Your funny version of jumping jacks.
*For Tee ball week, the way all of you would run like maniacs after the ball, and pile on top of it, no matter where on the field it was hit.
*The time all of the boys were piled in a heap, fighting over what you thought was the ball, when the one and only girl in the class, suddenly popped up beside the heap with the ball!
*How happy you were that "Daddy" and "Mi-Mi" and "Bubba" came to see you at the last class.
*How excited you were about making baskets, getting hits, and getting the goal!

I was proud of how hard you tried, and yes, I was happy when you did well.  My absolute favorite and most proud moment, though, was when you congratulated someone else for making a goal.  That is what it is all about.  That is why I want you to play sports, and why I spend the money for classes.  More than anything else I want you to learn to be a good teammate.  You're off to a great start.

I love you,
Mommy

Wipeout and All Sports

One night, I was on the computer, and Jim was watching "Wipeout".  We never watch it, but there was nothing else on.  Dylan was supposed to be sleeping, but all of a sudden he appeared in the living room.  "Wow!  What's this?", he asked, mesmerized.  We told him he needed to go back to bed.  "Can you tape this for me?"

That is how there came to be "Wipeout" stations all over my house.  Pillows are bouncy balls, a footstool is a jumping post, couches are landing zones, and I am praying we don't take a trip to the ER.  He gets one hour of TV a day, and for the past 7 days that hour has been spent watching the same Wipeout episode.  He can do the commentary word for word at this point.  Seriously.

I decided the kid was in desperate need of some structured physical activity - "structured" being the key word.  I signed him up for a class at the YMCA called "All Sports".  Could there be a better class for Dylan?  Well, they didn't have a Wipeout class.  We missed the first class because my mind has ceased to perform properly (which is a fancy way of saying I completely forgot).  I think they did soccer for the first class.

This week they did kickball.  One thing I love about Dylan is how he just jumps in head first to everything.  Even though he missed the first class, the minute we got in the gym, he ran over, ready to start.  The class is for 4-6 years olds.  There are a number of 6 year olds, which is great, because Dylan needs to get used to not being the best at everything.  He did get upset that he wasn't getting the ball every single time someone kicked it, but he kept his composure enough that I think I was the only one who noticed.

I had a blast watching him in the class.  This week is tee ball.  Considering the fact that last summer he hit the ball so hard it almost broke our neighbor's window, I'm a little nervous.

I'm Taking A Class

A few years before I had Dylan, Jim and I took a vacation.  Jim convinced me to wear a tiny bikini on that trip, saying I should show off my body because "Who knows how long it will look like this?"  Okay, maybe he didn't say that exactly, but it was implied).  How right he was, because after having Dylan, my bikini days came to a screeching halt.  Jim made me promise not to buy a skirt suit, but tankinis became my good friend.

I was always confused by capri pants.  If it's cold enough for pants, wear pants.  If it's warm enough for shorts, why wouldn't you wear shorts, I reasoned.  Then, last summer, when I noticed a certain cottage cheesiness going on in my legs, I had an A-HA moment.  I quickly went out to purchase some capris, and I didn't wear shorts all summer.

If you remember, back in January, I resolved to be healthier in 2010.  Since I lack focus, I basically forgot about that resolution.  Until last week, that is.  Last week I started taking a nutrition class, called "Eat Well For Life".  It's one night a week, for four weeks, and it's FREE through my insurance.  (If any of you have Highmark, did you know you can meet with a nutritionist seven times a year for FREE?)

So, after just one class, I've made some changes.  First, I'm writing down everything I eat.  I have to say, seeing what you consume written down, and being held accountable for it, are pretty big motivators.

The second change is that I'm only drinking water and one glass of juice for breakfast.  I am addicted to Canada Dry ginger ale, so that is a big change.

The third change is that I'm not snacking while I watch TV at night.  I've done that for as long as I can remember, so it's tough, but when I really want to snack, I grab some fruit, and so far it's working.  I still eat candy and chocolate during the day, but since I am so busy, it's not that much.

The class was on Wednesday, and I'm already noticing my clothes fitting a bit better.  Who knows, maybe this summer I'll dig out my bikini!  Just don't expect to see any pictures!

Kindermusik Redeemed

I took Dylan to a Kindermusik class a few weeks ago. Those of you that read this post will be shocked. The nanny job I had that required me to take "A" to Kindermusik class once a week has been over since December 1st. So, why? Why would I voluntarily subject myself to that kind of torture? One word - LOVE. The love a mother has for her child that makes her capable of doing anything.

You see, ever since Dylan became a social butterfly, craving other kids to play with, I've been looking for activities. The Together With Twos preschool class was a bust. It started with three kids, and by December was down to one - Dylan. He really enjoyed it, but with no social interaction, there really was no point. So once again, I am on the hunt.

Yes, there are preschools I could drop him off at, but with my new job, I'll be spending two very long days away from him already. I want something we can do together. I just had a (nagging) feeling that he would enjoy Kindermusik. Plus, they let you attend one class for free, so what did I have to lose (besides my sanity)?

We were going to attend the very last class in that 15 week session, so I was a bit concerned that all the other kids would be pros and Dylan would be dazed and confused. HA! Not quite. He tried to take over the class!

We got there early, and when the instructor put out the instruments for the kids to try, while everyone was arriving, I just had to laugh. When I went with "A", I would have to hand her an instrument from the bin, and try to get her engaged. Dylan, on the other hand, went right over the second she put the bin on the floor, and proceeded to dump out the contents. The other kids seemed a bit confused by this strange kid who felt the need to try out each and every instrument with great enthusiasm.

When it came time to clean up, my kid was the one telling the others where to put the instruments - "In dere!! In dere!!" Dylan bounced on my legs, pounded the carpet with his imaginary hammer, marched, sang, and danced, all with a big, goofy grin on his face. When we were to stand up and march in place, Dylan marched around and around everyone in the circle, while beckoning, "Come, Mommy!"

When we got to the part where you swing the kids up in the air, he let out a laugh from deep down in his belly. "Finally!", I thought. Jim said that I took Dylan because I needed closure. He said my life just wouldn't be complete until someone danced with me at a Kindermusik class. That could be true, but whether we go back or not, it was totally worth it, for that laugh alone.