Summer Rec

I know we are in the throes of the school year already, but I feel like there's SO much of the summer I had wanted to capture here for posterity and yet I haven't.

So, please excuse me while I go back in time a couple months to share with you this snapshot in time.  :)

As I've shared before, Nate started Tee Ball when he was 5 (summer before he started Kindergarten).  He played again last summer (before 1st grade) and finally this year moved up to what is called (in these parts) "Coach Pitch" baseball.  It was quite the adjustment for him.  First of all, the people on his team take baseball very seriously.  And some of these kids have been living and breathing baseball since they were born.  So to say that Nate was a little behind the curve is a bit of an understatement.  But what he lacked in skill he definitely made up for in heart and passion.  What really hurt his game was that any practice he was getting at home was limited and, well, let's just say that Mommy pitching (at 4'10" tall) or Daddy pitching underhand is NOT the same as the 6' coach pitching overhand.  So there was some learning to do there.

Good news is, he got a LOT of individual practice with one of his two coaches or other parent helpers. The other thing I really liked was the variety of positions he got to experience.  They had him on 1st, outfield, and he even got to be catcher a few times.  It really was good for him to get a feel for the different positions and the tasks each position is responsible for.  I really think he'll continue to grow.

This year Alex got to join the Summer Rec ranks and play Tee Ball like his big brother.  I also signed him up for soccer because I knew he'd be good at it and I'm glad I did.  I really think he preferred soccer (it moved more than tee ball does).  But we'll give him another year in both to figure it out.  It was an adjustment for Nate who's never had to go and sit and watch at a game for his brother (we had a few words about that the first few practices because Alex did it for Nate's tee ball for two years, it was Nate's turn to learn the spectator role).  It all worked out in the end thanks to a nearby playground and friends of his at practices who he could go off and play with on empty fields.

We had a rough go of it for tee ball and soccer this year.  For the first 3 weeks or so, we kept getting rained out or cancelled for soggy fields.  But once the season finally kicked off (i.e. the weather cooperated), we had fun.

I really liked the way they coordinated the tee ball teams this year.  Instead of playing a long boring game that 4 & 5 year olds couldn't focus more than 5 minutes on, they rotated smaller groups of the kids through "stations" that worked on them with batting, fielding, and catching.  Then for the last part of practice they'd play a "game".  I really think it worked great and taught Alex a LOT more in one year than Nate learned on his teams for two years.  I hope we have these coaches again next year!!

 So, until next year....

A Letter to Alexander…as you start Kindergarten.

My dear, sweet Boo Boo (Alex),

I can't believe it, but today you woke up a Kindergartner.  How did that happen so quickly?!?  After all, you're still my BABY!  You'll always be my baby, even if you are stepping on the bus tomorrow to attend your first full day of school.  

As you take this big step into the world, I hope you know that I love you more than anything!  I have so much I want for you.  So many things I worry about for you.  

My sweet boy, I want you to dream big and for all of your dreams to come true.  I want you to remain innocent forever - to never lose your individual spunk and witty sense of humor.  I want you to keep your wide-eyed sense of wonder, learn everything you can, and ALWAYS use your head and make smart choices.  Be yourself -  for you are a wonderful, special, and fabulous little boy, just as you are.  Stay safe.  Always choose things that make you happy.  Be a good friend.  Stick up for the "little guy".  Give more than you take.  Be kind.  Never ever lose that smile!  Think before you speak.  Hold open the door for someone behind you.  Listen more than you talk.  Ask questions.  Pay it forward as often as you can.  

As you travel down this educational route for the next 12 years (or more!), I will be here, always.  I've got your back.  You can talk to me about anything.  Nothing is too small, too silly, too weird, or too uncomfortable.  I am your Mama.  I will always be here, no matter what.  Never forget that.

Now, take your cute butt out into the world and show everyone what a wonderful force you are.  Keep your attitude in check but use your wit wisely.  Keep your anger under control and always remember to breathe.  Stick with your brother and remember how much we love you!!

Big, big, big, big, big, big HUGS!

Mama

Mr. Science x2

Nate has shown an interest recently in science.  He found a penny in the driveway a few months ago and proceeded to marvel when I soaked it in some white vinegar to clean it up.  Ever since then, he's perked up at the very hint of anything to experiment with/on.

So, for Christmas this year, I requested science-y (total word!) things to encourage his curiosities.  As usualy, his Aunt Wendy (my brother's wife) came through in spades.  He scored a rocket kit, a clock kit to build using a lemon (!), and a really cool crystal growing kit.

Being fresh out of lemons and with it only 26 degrees outside with a windchill near single digits (and I am NOT launching OR building a rocket in my house!), we opted for the crystal experiment.

The boys suited up in protective gear.  (Hey, it was recommended and as you know, my firefighter boys take safety very seriously!)

I gave them each their tasks and we got to work measuring, pouring, mixing, and sprinkling.

Then came the waiting.

Not so easy for a 4 and 6-year-old, but I promised them the payoff would be well worth the wait.

A mere 20 or so hours later, the boys "checked on" their crystals and found this...

 According to the directions, the crystals will reach optimum size in 4-7 days, at which time we can drain off the liquid, dry them out, and put a top on the jar to keep them indefinitely!

I think it's pretty cool and the boys like to check on them every few hours to see what (if anything) has changed.  Such fun!

Stay tuned!  I'll (try to remember to) share the final result!

All Nate Wants for Christmas...

...is his TWO FRONT TEETH!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Another First...Cub Scouts!

The big milestone when Nate turned 6 was that he could finally join Cub Scouts.

He had been asking to join since he was in Pre-k (4 years-old), but was told he'd have to wait until 1st grade.

So first chance we could (first week of school in his 1st Grade year), we attended a recruitment meeting and got him signed up.  Within a week he was at his first meeting.  Within two weeks he had his handbook, his official uniform, and was learning the boy scout handshake and code.

Now we are in full force with meetings and events and outings -  Pack meetings, Den meetings (I still am not entirely sure which is which), community service projects, badge merits.  It's crazy.  I'm learning a LOT.

Boy Scout trip to Albion PD for a tour...
Here the Sgt. is teaching the boys how they get fingerprints from crime scenes.

At this age (Tiger Cub), the family is very much involved.  Most things we do have a strong focus on parents and siblings participating, too.  Which is good, honestly.  If not for that, Nate would be out of luck because I am usually the one taking him to these things and I always have Alex with me so we all get to benefit.

Making friends

As he gets older and boy scouts becomes more independent, I will worry.  But in the meantime we are meeting some great people, seeing and doing some fun things, and hopefully Nate will learn some incredibly important life lessons.

Another First...Gymnastics!

I found a gymnastics program through SUNY Brockport for 3 & 4-year-olds.  I was so excited to have found it, I emailed the college on Friday and asked if it was too late to sign Alex up for the class that started that following Monday.  

I'm so glad I didn't wait until the Winter session (January) because Alex loves it!

It's so good for Alex to have something of his own.  Nate had a hard time coming to terms with the realization that he couldn't participate, but he's much better at just watching now.  He brings his homework and something to play with or do (that he earns once his homework is done) and hangs while his brother plays.

Alex listens very well and follows the instructor's instructions better than a lot of the kids in his class!

And I love that he has an outlet to burn off some energy after school!

He's a natural at a lot of things - balance beam, monkey (parallel) bars, and flipping and jumping.  

The "worst" part is that the big kids practice in the gym at the same time as he does and Alex gets mesmerized watching them flip and twirl and back flip.  He could sit and watch the girls on the uneven bars for HOURS!  

Alex watching the girl on the bars above...not paying attention in class :)

Each class is an hour long and after warm ups they break the group into three smaller groups and they rotate around (each group with two instructor girls) to different stations. 

Alex's favorite part by far is the foam pit!  But who can blame him?!?!  Look at this awesome thing!

For about 20 minutes each day he gets to jump in the pit, throw the foam squares around, and flip till his heart's content.

This week he started learning cart wheels, walking backwards on the balance beams and doing somersaults on (a pad on) the balance beam.

My little monkey is in his glory!  I'm sad that it's only a 10-week course but it's a start and there's other classes to explore after this.  2024 Olympics, here Alex comes