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January 28th 2010

Home Learners Group Bowling - Week 3

We got to the bowling alley about 10 minutes early again and got sleeping Enzo situated in the ergo carrier.  This time for whatever reason, the size 9 shoes were way too small on the girls and they ended up going up at least one size, they may have even gone up to an 11.  Their regular sneakers are a size 12, so I'm not really surprised that they were an 11 but I was surprised that the size 9's fit so much tighter this week.

Today Zoë and Abby bowled with Iris and Naomi.  Zoë really improved this week, and was jumping up and down in the lane a lot with excitement.  The girls were good about cheering their friends on too, even if they were aiming at the gutter.  Enzo woke up from his nap and watched for a little while, before squirming to get down and begging Daddy to let him bowl a little.

This time, after bowling, we had been prepared with some shopping list items to get for our planned trip to Stop&Shop.  Since we'll be missing next week's bowling, and thus Stop&Shop, we got an extra Kefir container and such.


Abby @ 6 years, 1 month, 13 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 1 month, 13 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 months, 4 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 2:48 PM | Comments Comments ( 1 )

Comments:

Comments February 4, 2010 01:47:00 PM posted by Celeste A. C. Gaver
You should check with your local swim team to see if they have a homeschool team or even just practice times!  Our team is pretty big and started a homeschool practie 3 days a week at 10 in the morning.  Those kids compete on the weekends with my kids but just have different practice times.  That would be great - free evenings!

January 21st 2010

Home Learners Group Bowling - Week 2

Enzo and I got home from morning appointments and shoveled some lunch into us all and off we headed to make it to Exeter on time.  We even ended up getting there 10 minutes early.  Enzo had fallen asleep in the car (it being his nap time and all) so Chris helped me get him onto my back in the Ergo, where he slept for a good little while.

We chose to sit at the other end of the bowling alley this week, which ended up being good for the girls, as they bowled near some other girls their age.  First we got a little reminder of stance and hand positioning and then everyone began bowling.  Since Zoë and Abby switched lanes just before we began, so they could be next to some of the other kids, Chris got to bowl in lane 12 all by himself - he did 7 full (plus another half) games in the time Zoë, Abby, and their lane mate Nicky got through one. (Each game has 10 frames, 3 balls per frame per person)  Abby did really well this time.  She scored a 57 for her game, whereas last time she got a 34.  Both of the girls, but especially Zoë, were distracted by making new friends.  When Chris asked Zoë how she did at the end of her game she replied, "I made two friends!"  Enzo even got to try a little bit.  He must have really been paying attention to his sisters because he right away swung his arms with both hands holding the ball.  Chris and I can't figure out though an odd thing Enzo did after every time he rolled the ball - as soon as the ball was out of his hands he touch his nose with his index finger.  If you happen to be watching a bowling tournament in say 20 years and you see a guy touch his nose when he rolls a good ball - you'll know who it is.

On the way home we could resist the pull of the scanners and did a little shopping at the Super Stop&Shop.  We need to do a whole Wal-Mart style grocery shop, but we figured we'd get a few items that we knew we were needing.  Shopping with the scanner and cookies at the bakery, great way to top of bowling. :)


Abby @ 6 years, 1 month, 7 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 1 month, 7 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 3 months, 28 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 9:16 PM | Comments Comment

September 2nd 2009

Flow Yoga

Tonight we tried another yoga class.  This one was more about the stretching and flexibility and calm side of yoga and was a very small class.  There were three other people plus the instructor, so we essentially doubled the class.  Even I was by far the youngest in the crowd, but the other attendees were very nice and loved having the girls in the class.

Unfortunately it didn't go as well at home tonight as yesterday morning.  I think a combination of too much banana for Enzo this morning (he ate almost a whole large banana and I think it bound him up a bit) and his third tooth coming in, as well as it being so close to bed time were a bad combination of things and after the first half hour of playing Enzo apparently got upset and wouldn't be soothed... I wasn't home for another hour after that so it was a stressfull time at home.  Poor boys.

Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 19 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 19 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 9 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 9:08 PM | Comments Comment

September 1st 2009

Family Swim Returns

Tonight was the first night that we all went back to the Y for family swim.  Enzo only lasted about 15 or 20 minutes before he was ready to get out, but he had a great time while we hung out in the shallow end.  I think I did see some hesitation on the diving board at first from the girls but only for the first jump and after that Daddy had to pull them away just to get them to swim back to the shallow end.

Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 7 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 7:03 PM | Comments Comment

PiYo with Mommy

Zoë and Abby attended a pilates yoga mix class with me this morning at the Y.  The pilates part of the class was a little different for the girls, but they did well for the most part.  Abby especially barely needed any instruction from me.  Afterwards we hurried through the shower and got home to Daddy and Enzo, who it turns out did just fine without us.

Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 7 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 9:30 AM | Comments Comment

August 28th 2009

Dance Class Trial

Zoë and Abby got the chance to try a free creative dance class at Great Bay Academy of Dance this morning.  The class was 45 minutes long and began with a warm up and ended with improv. dancing.  They did some leaping practice and a few other technical things during the class as well.  After their trial class there was a jazz class, for a little older kids (7 years old or so maybe) and there was just one little girl there so Zoë and Abby were invited to join in for the warm up.  Both girls had a great time and had great posture and 'good feet'.

Both girls had a wonderful time and asked if they could go back on the 8th (when the next 11 week session begins).  Gotta love that, when they plead to come back right in front of the staff.  How's that for being put on the spot.  Even Enzo had fun in the spacious waiting area, as there were fun toys for him to play with.  He was of course a hit and was hamming it up with the other ladies there.

Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 13 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 13 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 4 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 10:24 AM | Comments Comments ( 1 )

Comments:

Comments August 29, 2009 10:40:56 AM posted by Nonna
Sounds like  Abby and Zoe had a fun experience.

August 20th 2009

Level Three Last Day - Passed!

Zoë and Abby got their passing certificates at the end of today's lesson.  The lesson began right off at the lanes, where they did kickboards down and then front crawl back.  After that they got to go play games.  There were four kids total so there were even teams for races and such.  Once all four of the kids teamed up against Brooke in a race on the big kickboards.  The girls were both really proud that they passed... and got lollipops.

Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 5 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 5 days
Enzo @ 10 months, 26 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 12:27 PM | Comments Comments ( 1 )

Comments:

Comments August 21, 2009 09:49:59 AM posted by Nonna
I am so porud of both of you.......just awesome!!

August 8th 2009

Great Park Pursuit Finale - Wadleigh State Park

We left the house early this morning on route to Sutton NH for the finale of the Great Park Pursuit.  We stopped at Panera for their breakfast sandwiches as we were pressed for time at home this morning.  We made it to Sutton without any delay and arrived 10 minutes after registration began at 9:30.  Many other teams were already starting the scavenger hunt.  We checked in, the girls all got yogurt and we started to scavenge.  It was a great hunt.  They had fun following the clues.  We got all the clues correct.  We handed in our scorecards and extra bonus stuff.  Out of the 400 teams this year, there were 17 finalists.  We made it to the finals, but we didn't win the grand prize.  They prepared trivia questions for the 17 teams who did all the extra quests (5 fire towers) plus two extra parks visits, so it was a sudden death trivia question for elimination.  We knew some of the answers that others had asked of them, but not our answer.  We have since forgotten what our question was, but the answer was the Franconia Notch Mountain area.  Anyhow, we had a great time even though the girls were bummed we didn't win.  We were shocked to see 16 other finalists out of the 400 teams though.  But with the current state of the economy and everyone on a stay-cation, it seemed plausible.  The girls enjoyed the games and experiences through out, so it was well worth the effort.  On the way out, everyone got goodies to bring home.  Everyone was a winner after all. We got out and visited many great places in New Hampshire this summer.

Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 24 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 24 days
Enzo @ 10 months, 14 days
Entry Sports posted by christopher at 7:57 PM | Comments Comment

August 4th 2009

Warm Water Swim

Chris took the girls to their lesson today, while Enzo and I were at babytime and then Midas, yet again.  The pool temp. was 78F!  He said that the warmer water really seemed to help them and they did a good job.  The girls told me that they did front crawl, back crawl, and elementary backstroke work today.

Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 20 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 20 days
Enzo @ 10 months, 10 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 11:37 AM | Comments Comments ( 1 )

Comments:

Comments August 21, 2009 09:34:04 AM posted by Nonna
Girls you should be here...Uncle Marc's pool is in the eighties and one day 92!! Can you believe it??

July 30th 2009

One Hundred Push Up Week Five Day Two

We took an extra day rest with the second day in week 5.  We are now doing 8 sets instead of 5 and the workout is much more intensive.  The first day was brutal.  This second day was less reps but more sets.  The girls did great, both Zoë and Abby showing major improvements.  I managed to complete mine without assistance.  Laura will do hers on Friday.

Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 15 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 15 days
Enzo @ 10 months, 6 days
Entry Sports posted by christopher at 6:01 PM | Comments Comment

July 29th 2009

Water Carnival 2009

We went to Portsmouth's water carnival at the Pierce Island pool this morning.  Lessons were cancelled today for the carnival, which is free and only for Portsmouth residents.  I was thinking as we were waiting in line how amazing it is what a year can do for a child.  Last year there wasn't much the girls could do in the water and this year we were there for 2 hours!  Our original plan had been to have the girls do all of the out of the water games first and then the in the water games, so that they wouldn't be cold in between, but it turned out to be pretty hot and with them in their wet suits, they were ready to get into the water.

The girls did really well and collected tickets that they got to go to the prize booth with at the end.  They did frog on a log, Abby really gave it her all to stay on the 'log' in this one, and an in water obstacle course.  There was sunken treasure, and a dolphin ring toss, bobbing for apples and plenty of other things to wait in line for and give a go.


Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 14 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 14 days
Enzo @ 10 months, 5 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 12:42 PM | Comments Comments ( 1 )

Comments:

Comments July 31, 2009 04:28:41 PM posted by Nonna
You girls have so many interesring things happening in your town. Another fun outing!!

July 28th 2009

Second Session Swim Lessons - Day 1

Apparently the girls already are doing better with their lessons.  We talked to them about really trying even if the water is cold and about what the reasons are that they didn't pass level 3 last session.  It was a hot day today, so that probably helped as well.  Chris took the girls to swim lessons while Enzo and I spent 4 and a half hours in North Hampton while the car was serviced at Midas.  Zoë and Abby were bummed that they couldn't go with me because they really wanted to go with me to look at all of the kids things as well as watch the rest of that Gigi movies.  I asked Zoë if she'd like me to bring home a treat from the 'café' there and she said yes, plus one of those candies from that orange dish at Midas.

The girls told me that they did really great glides all the way to Brooke and Chris said that they really did them well and Brooke had a smile on her face the whole time Zoë and Abby were doing them.  When I asked the girls who else was in their class they couldn't really remember.  They did remember that there was again another girl named Abby, but not the same one as last time.  And they think there's a girl named Grace.  Tomorrow they won't have lessons as the water carnival will be going on.

When I got home Abby was just up from nap and Zoë was still sleeping.  Abby asked why she woke up before I even got home, why I had to be out for so long.  I showed her the Berentein Bears book I got for her (for $1 at the Yankee Country Store next to Midas) and she was happy with that since we've not seen this one at the library before.  Her and Zoë also got to share a cookie for snack that I brought home and then got their peppermint candy that I brought home from the 'orange dish' (turned out it was red though).

Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 13 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 13 days
Enzo @ 10 months, 4 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 3:30 PM | Comments Comments ( 1 )

Comments:

Comments July 31, 2009 04:22:15 PM posted by Nonna
So glad to see you are progressing in swimming classes!! Keep up the good work!

July 27th 2009

One Hundred Push Up Week Five Day One

He had some hesitation starting this push up week.  The sets are getting really difficult now.  I had trouble completing my last set of 40.  My arms and chest completely fatigued.  The girls are doing great.  Abby really has the push ups down now, Zoë still needs some work.  She is turning sideways and not keeping straight and letting her stomach sag.  I wish I had planks to strap to her to keep her straight.  I am not sure we will move to week six at the end of this week, we might have to repeat week five to build up some strength.  I took a cold shower afterwards and I am still shaking.

Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 12 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 12 days
Enzo @ 10 months, 3 days
Entry Sports posted by christopher at 10:45 AM | Comments Comment

July 23rd 2009

2009 Swim Session 1 Final Day - Not Passing

I'm not really surprised that the girls didn't pass their level, as there have been so many days cancelled and the water has been so cold.  Even so, there were only a couple of things that Brooke said held them back.  She said that they're in between level 3 and 4 so we'll stick with what I signed them up for and have them do level 3 over again.  Since they'll have Brooke again, she said she'd work specifically on these things with them.  The areas are the front crawl (which is dissapointing to Chris and I because we know they can do this very well - but in warm water) and they're rotary breathing.  At least it's good to know what to work on with them once we start up at the Y again.

Today they got to do all games, which Zoë was super excited to hear.  I think that having the mind frame of it being "all fun and games" so to speak helped them to perform better.  Abby was the only one who would get in at first, she just jumped right in and started doing her bobs, they were to do 15 to warm up.  Zoë was next and Brooke had to coax the two older kids to even get in.  Granted it was another chilly day for air and pool.  They did a few relay games, with Zoë and Kieran being on a team and 'the two Abby's' making up the other team.  Zoë was on the winning team each time... I think having the tallest person in the class as her teamate helped that one. 

Then they did an individual race, seeing who could go the farthest with their glides.  We all knew who would win it in the end, since all Kieran would have to do was lay out flat and he'd be further than the three girls, but Brooke was good and had the girls go first.  First was (our) Abby, then the other Abby, who didn't make it as far!  That's saying something for Abby because not only is she a good deal younger she's also a head shorter.  Zoë went next and went about a hand length further than Abby.  Of course Kieren won it, barely even gliding at all, but I was proud of my girls for going the furthest out of the girls anyway.  They all tried doing hand stands in the next section over (shallower water) and then had a 'seahorse party' where they dove for two seahorse dive sticks each.  After that they got their towels and level checklist cards and got to choose a lollipop.  Both girls got new watermelon flavor tootsie roll pops.

Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 8 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 8 days
Enzo @ 9 months, 29 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 1:57 PM | Comments Comments ( 1 )

Comments:

Comments July 24, 2009 05:04:04 PM posted by Nonna
I see you both tried to do the tasks....so that was great. You keep improving and that is what it is all about.

July 22nd 2009

One Hundred Push Up Fourth Test

We finally tested into week 5 of the One Hundred Push Up Challenge.  Abby and Zoë both did 35 push ups.  I let them take a 10 second break at 15 push ups, where they held themselves in down dog to stretch their shoulders.  Both finished without exhaustion so I think they could have done more.  I managed to do 41 push ups without stopping, feeling the fatigue at the end.  Mommy did 6 good form push ups.  Abby and Zoë will be in level 1 of week 5.  Week 5 is really difficult, they increase the number of sets to increase the strengthening.  Zoë was in play mode and didn't perform as well as I had hoped.  She just wasn't focused enough for the test this week.  Abby was all business this morning.

Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 7 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 7 days
Enzo @ 9 months, 28 days
Entry Sports posted by christopher at 8:42 AM | Comments Comment

July 16th 2009

One Hundred Push Up Week Four Day Two Again

Wow are these push ups getting more and more difficult.  I needed help to finish my last set today.  Laura helped me on my last three.  I was completely fatigued at that point.  Abby and Zoë are doing great.  Abby finished her last set without help, even did an extra one, all great form.  Zoë is still working on perfecting her form, but she also managed to complete her last set without any assistance.  Abby and Zoë both did 114 push ups this morning only resting 1 minute between sets.  Great work girls, I am proud of you.  You can even see their little muscles growing.

Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 1 day
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 1 day
Enzo @ 9 months, 22 days
Entry Sports posted by christopher at 8:40 AM | Comments Comments ( 1 )

Comments:

Comments July 24, 2009 04:52:42 PM posted by Nonna
Wahoo!!! Godd going girls!!! So very proud of you sticking to it!!

July 14th 2009

Warm day at the pool

The water was 71 degrees today and the sun was shining.  I walked the girls to the pool for their lesson.  Brooke, their normal instructor got married over the weekend so we had a substitute.  The sub was great and took care of the girls.  They actually stayed in the pool the whole lesson.  I warmed the girls up and got them changed quickly.  They even got some warm tea to drink, that I brought in the klean kanteen.

Abby @ 5 years, 6 months, 30 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 6 months, 30 days
Enzo @ 9 months, 20 days
Entry Sports posted by christopher at 11:35 AM | Comments Comment

July 7th 2009

Rainy Day Swim Number 2

Laura went to baby time at the community campus and I walked the girls over to their swim lesson.  The sky was gray and overcast and rain was scheduled.  We called the pool and the lessons were still being held.  We walked over and got there about 10 minutes before the lessons started.  There weren't many people at the pool.  The sign out front said the water was a brisk 70 F.  The air temp was only in the low 60's.  The girls were still very cold in their wet suits.  They got out after about 20 minutes of the lesson.  It was just too cold.  I quickly dried them and put on their thermal underwear and 3 layers of pants and tops, with their fleece jackets.  It was raining at that point, and we had planned to take the trolley 2 stops to get closer to home, but we would have had to wait 30+ minutes for the trolley, we can walk home in less time.  The girls really wanted to take the trolley but walking would generate heat.  The rain let up and I had the girls have the towels over their heads like shawls.  They complained but made the trip none the less.  I put on a movie when the girls got home, it took them 2+ hours to get warmed back up.  Their feet were the last parts to warm back up.

Abby @ 5 years, 6 months, 23 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 6 months, 23 days
Enzo @ 9 months, 13 days
Entry Sports posted by christopher at 11:58 AM | Comments Comment

July 1st 2009

Level Three Day 2

The lessons ended up being canceled today.  It wasn't raining, though our walk there was a bit misty, but the temperature was a bit cooler than yesterday.  I guess there are a few different things that have to be taken into account with the decision to keep the pool open or to close and apparently the cooler temperature tipped the scale.  Upon arrival we were sent to the bath house to pick up a booklet in lui of getting into the water.

We did see a beaver on the way home though.  We saw him on the way to the pool yesterday, on the other side of the road.  Today I got a few pictures of him.

Abby @ 5 years, 6 months, 17 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 6 months, 17 days
Enzo @ 9 months, 7 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 1:39 PM | Comments Comment

June 30th 2009

Swim Lesson Session 1 Day 1

Today was the first day of level 3 swim lessons for Zoë and Abby.  What with all of the rain we've been having, and the fact that it was a cool overcast morning, the water was anything but warm.  Today there was only one other child in the class with Zoë and Abby, also named Abby.  There were a couple of times that I doubted my putting them into level three, but at the end Brooke said that they were doing a great job and that they were suited just fine for this level.

Today was mostly a test it seemed.  Brooke checked to see how they could do their glides, front crawl, and back stroke.  They used kick boards to go across (width ways) the pool and back and practiced using the kick boards on their backs as well.  Noodles were also used, working on form for front and back swimming.  The end of the lesson was to dive down to get a sinker toy, but none of the three were thrilled with the idea of diving down into the water, they were all so cold.  Brooke ended up holding the diver toy halfway between the surface of the water and the pool bottom and everyone did well dunking under to get it then.

Abby @ 5 years, 6 months, 15 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 6 months, 15 days
Enzo @ 9 months, 6 days
Entry Sports posted by Laura at 11:27 AM | Comments Comment


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