Activities

Now that school is underway and the bus and class schedule has solidified, it was time to turn to the extra-curricular pursuits.

Madison and Caylie were both in dance classes in Lethbridge, so it was logical that they continue this year. Madison opted for hip-hop this time instead of tap or ballet. She loves all types of dancing that she’s tried, but loves the look of hip-hop whenever she sees older kids do it. There are a couple of older boys who break dance at the farmer’s market as a form of busking, and all three kids are fascinated by them. So her first class went well and there were some choreographed parts as well as some time at the end of class for them to “show their stuff” individually.

Caylie is in ballet class again, and dressed up in her pink suit with two little buns in her hair. She was a little shy at first but warmed up quickly and got into the floaty butterfly dance and the stretching. Her teacher is an older, and very patient woman who handled the class full of four year olds like a pro.

Kai has been wanting to try martial arts for a while - since the girls’ dance studio last year was next to a karate club. So we found him a Tae Kwon Do school and he had a “trial” lesson. He was so excited to be in the training room, to see all the interesting training equipment, and to have a go at the dummy. He is also eager to get his own white uniform and look like a “real” martial artist. During this trial lesson, Madison was so taken with the whole evening that she was begging to be let into Tae Kwon Do as well. After discussing it with Kent, we’ve decided to let her try it out. What the heck, eh?

The second trial lesson at Tae Kwon Do went well. Madison took one look at the demonstration of a new kick, and executed it perfectly every time. Kai took a little more instruction, but he was really happy to be in with the boys doing the kicks. And little Caylie tried her hand at kicking (so to speak) as well, and did pretty well! When we got home we practiced the new kicks while we waited for dinner to cook so they would be set in our minds for tomorrow’s lesson. The kids just can’t wait to get their uniforms and learn some more moves!

In the next lesson, they got to wear their new uniforms. Kai was so taken with himself in the mirror it was hard for him to focus on the actual activity… I suppose the novelty will wear off. Madison looked very serious in her get-up, and she is so focused! She says she wants to earn a black belt.

So that’s enough for now, I think. When spring comes along we’ll think about maybe swimming and soccer like last year, but right now we’re busy enough - and tired enough. The kids fall into bed every night and are pretty much comatose within minutes. Kent and I feel like zombies most of the evenings too. But we are enjoying benefits of regular paycheques and a permanent address, so life is good.