March Like A Duck

They were very excited to find roller skates under the tree for Christmas. We had been playing it safe and only letting them practice in the house, despite their protests. But, in early February, with great rejoice, we ventured outside…armed with helmet, knee/elbow pads, gloves – and with close supervision (plus a phone to call 911).

I read somewhere that they should point their toes outward and lift their feet, instead of trying to walk. So Gayle told them to “march like a duck”. It worked!

Dad was supposed to also get skates, so that I could keep up; but can find no one to encourage me. The reaction seems to be more like, “Really, at your age?” Not in those words, of course – but clear enough. I have only skated once since I was a kid, but it looks like such fun!

We also tried taking off the training wheels from their bikes, during that injury defiant weekend. Andrew was ready, but it will continue to be a challenge for Bethany. She just doesn't have the confidence and doesn't like to ride fast enough to maintain balance.

The initial trial was on the grass incline into the retention basin that is part of the park across the street. The grass was too long (because of the recent rains), so they quickly bogged down. But, such a nice soft landing!

A few days later, while Bethany was at her Daisies troop meeting, Andrew took to the streets and sidewalks, and did much better. And I even managed not to pass out from running after him. Kudos all around!

A few days later, we went over Bethany's elementary school. They have a large field. It doesn't have winter grass, so though it's still low impact, it's much easier to get some speed. Bethany was back with training wheels, but Andrew was still gung ho on two wheels.

At first he still needed a push to get going each time he stopped or fell off, then I got him to use the slope to get started on his own. By the end of the session, he was mostly able to go it solo, even on the flat.

He even found a little dip for a culvert, that he used for a little thrill action.

Andrew never looked back on the training wheels after that. He loves his bike! Bethany will take a little more time to feel ready. But they have both become quite skilled on their scooters!

Rock Star

Mealtime is always, always a push to get Bethany to eat more. It is not that she is picky. All the food groups are equally unattractive to her. She is obsessed, however, with candy (and to a lesser degree snacks in general). So there’s added pressure to establish a healthy diet. When it comes to snacks, they can be healthy snacks, even meal-like, and she’ll still eat them without fuss. But, serve the same presented as a meal…and it’s no dice.

I expect that if we just broke all her meals up into an endless series of snack times, she would eat it all.

Bouncy In Our Backyard (Andrew's Birthday)/Helping to Deflate

Bethany remains in the lowest percentile for weight to height (see meal issue above). This small size suggests gymnastics as a good activity for her to do well.

She’s just finished another series in her weekly gymnastics classes. They are in big barn of a metal building, very conveniently down the road from us. She still appears motivated to learn, but would do better if she paid more attention to her coach and less to all of the other kids, doing other activities in the gym.

She is very interested in perfecting a cartwheel–and getting much better–but has a way to go. Cartwheel is such a joyous skill to have. If I were a few years younger…

She also works on her handstand. Not as much progress there yet.

The focus for now shifts to cheer class. She’s taking that though city Parks and Recreation programs. Thought that would give her confidence in public performance.

She likes it and maybe will identify more with being a cheerleader at this age, than at being a gymnast. Unfortunately the coach doesn’t want the parents in the room, so progress is difficult to monitor.

She does enjoy being in control and “on stage”. A lot of her roll playing with Andrew and friends involves making commands, such as to a pretend dog or pretend students. It is the same “bossy” behavior that gets her in trouble in school – and home.

When Bethany took a hip-hop class last year, she often would stand next to the instructor, facing the other kids, mimicking the instructor as she demonstrated the steps.

She seems fascinated with the whole “rock star” persona. When she sees a picture or video clip, she’ll ask, “Is that a rock star?”

The first rock star she heard about, from her friends at daycare, was Hannah Montana. She is still the only one that Bethany and Andrew know by name. Anytime they hear her name mentioned, they get excited.

At the museum, a Civil War piece with the kids (in a previous life).

Bethany likes to grab a pretend microphone (or her toy guitar), and play rock star – but then, who doesn’t…Born to Be W i i i l l d d.

She has always wanted to help with whatever we are working on; Andrew is not much at helping. He expresses an interest, and then gives up quickly. He’s still not at all good with “clean up, clean up” – despite Barney’s encouragement.

We haven’t put much effort into making it a requirement for them, but when on occasion we assign them a task, Bethany will jump right in, but Andrew will only make a half-hearted try before stopping altogether.