Activities

We're officially getting in to the swing of things this school year. That doesn't mean our morning alarm clocks don't come early, or that we don't hit the snooze, or that most mornings, I dress Libby while she is still IN bed.

But some mornings, she surprises me by coming downstairs, dressed, on her own! And earlier bedtimes for all, but me in particular, are helpful. The early bedtime for the kids (just before 8 p.m.) last Saturday, meant that Michael and I got to watch an entire movie on Saturday night without falling asleep, and still making it to bed by 10:30 p.m.

I didn't rush to sign Libby up for after school programs, because I didn't know yet what would work best for our family and what we could handle. But I had promised her that she could do gymnastics again this fall, so I'd been working on getting that going at the right time and location.

Yesterday, we got it going, and we got to partake in two new activities!

First, we had our Wellness Wednesday (where you send fresh fruit or veggie for snack at school). But this Wednesday, and all the "first Wednesdays" of the month, except the really cold ones, it's a walk to school day. So, we all met at our bus stop and walked over. This time it was Matthew, me and Libby. Matthew rode in his stroller and it was handy to also carry Libby's lunch in the basket underneath. Well, it was a refreshing way to start the day, and I guess Libby thought so too, because she wants to walk to school some days that aren't official walk days. I think that's a great plan! We chatted much of the way, and I always thought that would be fun to do sometimes, and it really was. Perhaps if we walk on our own, we can even let Commissioner come with us. It was good that she didn't come for the big, organized walk. Too much insanity on the small path next to the school and in front of the school itself. Libby earned a purple foot for the ring on her backpack, and they had bananas (and coffee for the parents) in front of the school. Of course, Libby didn't want a banana, so Matthew requested hers.

Have I mentioned that Matthew randomly thanks us for things now - generally after we give him something he needs or wants. It's like magic, and I just love it!

Yesterday afternoon, Libby had her first gymnastics class in the "Silver" level with Coach Katie at Champion Kids. We were delightfully surprised to find that two of her classmates from Mrs. Cook's class (twin girls, Abigail and Emma?) are also in her gymnastics class!

For this level, I thought she was supposed to have some sort of leotard for class. Apparently she doesn't, but I found one for $5 at Target, and she seems to like it, so hey, no loss there.

Since it has been awhile, she doesn't know all the coaches at the gym any more. So Coach Katie after class came up and told me what a great class he had, and asked whether she'd done gymnastics or had training before because she was so good. I assured her that we used to come, and she always enjoyed it and had a knack for it. So I'm glad things are off to a good start! I think she wants to go it multiple days a week, but we just aren't there yet. Especially since Matthew gets to sit and wait on her. There was a wide room where we could play a bit, and between that, a snack and some crayons for coloring, looking at the fish tank (and climbing on and off benches), he was *mostly okay. We had some tough moments, but the guy is teething like crazy, and he's had some tough moments this week anyway. MOSTLY though, he is really just GREAT!

Today, he brought home his first school artwork! He handed it to me and told me, "Did a little bit a paintin'." SO cute!

And one last funny: one of Libby's responsibilities is to set the table (most nights) and put the napkins on or in the washing machine after dinner. Tonight, I had to call her back to put the napkins in the wash. Now, often I'll get them in a pile in the corner of the table closest to the laundry room, but tonight I didn't. So she comes downstairs, walks around the table to get them all and declares with a sigh, "It's easier when you put them in a pile for me. I was in the middle of something and having to gather them all first is keeping me from doing what I needed to finish!" 

Life is so hard sometimes.