Gym Class :)

A month ago I found out that our local YMCA was offering a homeschooling gym class! Kathrynn was SOOO excited about this when she found out!

Kathrynn LOVES different classes- she loves doing so many things and is always wanting to try everything out that she hears about. The thing is, my sweet girl is so wonderfully shinny that at times the world can be a bit too much for her. So we work hard together to find classes that will meet her needs and be full of joy for her. :)

I talked to the director a lot about this class- who was teaching it, what they'd be teaching, ect. I found out that there would be lots of different activities, including her latest passion- swimming! It sounded like something that Kathrynn would love. :)

Today was her first day. I admit, *I* was a bit nervous. :)
She was just plain excited!!!!

She had a great time! This evening she talked about the class, in her own time, in her own way.
I wanted to find out all the details!! Everything!!! I asked a few questions, and then let her process her day.

It wasn't long before she had a game she wanted to play--- Gym Class! ;)

She got everything ready, and then we got the game going. We played a few games that she'd set up around our house. She and I were the teachers, and her stuffed animals and dolls were the students. ;)

She set up some swimming pools using silks. In this picture she is using the"kick board," kicking her legs. :)


This game was such a wonderful way for me to learn about her class, and a great way for her to process all the new things she had experienced. It was a wonderful way to end the day. :)

Swimming wonderment <3

Our family joined the YMCA a month ago. As of yet I haven't quite figured out how to get *my* exercise program going, but Kathrynn and I have started some swimming rituals of our own that are fantastic!!!!

Having spent most of my child hood in the water, I am *in awe* of Kathrynn's swimming abilities. She is SO much better then i ever was at her age.....
And it all comes naturally for her, just like all of her passions...... all starting from an authentic place of desire within, and then cultivated from her own desires as well.

I started to teach swim lessons at 15, and then was a swim coach by the time i was 17. Swimming is something i know *a lot* about. So when the issue of how to "teach" Kathrynn how to swim came up, I listened to my inner knowing, and let Kathryn lead the way.

Kathrynn and my relationship is built upon a partnership of listening, trusting, and communicating. Sure, I had moments of wanting to show her the "right" way. And yes, at times I felt external pressures of people wanting me to push her, to urge her to do "more." But I know my child. I know that her learning comes from with in. I offered her information. I demonstrated, to show her what my words meant. And then I let her go.... to explore this thing called swimming, on her own time, in her own way.

I patiently waited until she decided she liked the water, around age 2ish. I patiently waited until she wanted to get her face wet, around 3 and a half. And then I patiently waited until she wanted to try to blow bubbles AND get her face wet, around 4 and a half. And I ignored all the experts who told me that bubbles and floatees are not "authentic" ways of "teaching" a child to swim. I watched her joy and love and *trust* of the water develop, supporting her any way I could along the way.

By 5 and a half, I suddenly had a child who loved to go to our local pool and go off the diving board in the deep end. A child who was going down the "Vertical Drill" ( a 17' drop slide into the deep end). She was a profient swimmer.... almost magically, or so it seemed to me.

Now, at just a week past 6, and with out having swam since the summer months, she is swimming the length of the lap pool- 25 yards. She is diving to the bottom to receive items. She is swimming under water for long periods of time. Treading water, swimming back stroke, swimming free-style...... Yes, I know only a mother's pride and joy can bring about such excitement. And I realize she's not an "advanced" child in the swimming department.
And yet..... She is just amazing to me in her beauty of moving through this world.

I am *in awe* of her raw, authentic love of the world. And I just *love* our life. :)

Mother Love

Three generations of moms.... Mimi, Me, (Papa Baby doll and Kathrynn) and my Mom

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My mom is going on a retreat this weekend, and my dad asked me to write her a note for some bonus support. Here is what I wrote. I love you mom!



Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind
Kahlil Gibran

A friend, who had had a very difficult childhood after loosing his mother at an early age, reminded me just yesterday how lucky my own child is, in that she is “receiving” a beautiful childhood from me.

I had to stop and give Gratitude for my own childhood, and for the role you took in my childhood. My mind was filled with lots of great memories from those days. As I pondered those moments and my gratitude, that gratitude for your Presence in my life during those childhood years kept extending….. into my teen age years, my young adult years, my college years….. post college years…. Into the present day…..

Your Presence was taken for granted back then, as I didn’t understand the Magnitude of having a mother be there when I got home from school. Or a mother who delivered me to swim practice at 5am, and then brought a hot home made breakfast to me before school started. A mother who attended sport events, took me to social events, and hosted sleep overs. A mother who always made sure I had clean clothes to wear, and a balanced meal to eat. Who packed my lunch until I was 18 years old, and would have done it longer. ☺

Your Presence didn’t stop when I moved out- you continued to support me and nourish me while in college. Surprise care packages, weekend visits and phone calls to see what I was up to. Reading my project papers. Doing my laundry. ☺

When I moved to Greece for a year, you visited me two times, temporarily filling a loneliness that ran deep and wide, and that only a Mother’s Love could fill. We explored the land, took part in wonderful foods and wine, and enjoyed the company of each other.

Years later, as I now have my own daughter, your Presence continues to stand with me at all times. Your Love and Connection to me can be felt Always- no matter where I am, no matter where you are. Your Being is always Connected to my Being. This Presence, *Your* Presence, has resulted in a beautiful Connection that been the most beautiful gift. Thank you, Mom. ☺

Snowy Wonderland!

There were lots of complaints this winter that while we did have some winter temperatures, we didn't have the winter white to match! Well, we got our fill this week. We had two great days of sledding and outdoor fun, and we still have more snow on the way!

Both days were spent at Bryan park, just a few minutes from our house on foot. We had so much fun with Diego, Paolo and Skye on Day #1!







Enter Day #2! Which started with some ice, and then was covered by more snow. :)

The afternoon was so much fun. Our friend Maya came over, as did my brother ("Uncle"). We walked to Byran park again and had some more sledding and park fun. :)

Uncle on his snow shoes.
Here we are getting ready for our trip- I was doing my best to propel us forward....






Kathrynn and Maya tried skiing, very briefly.... This was not the snow for skiing. ;)

I loved being snowed in for a few days. Yeah Snow!!!! :P

kathrynn's photos

Hopes and Dreams for America.... exhibit

There was an exhibit at our public library, asking people to write or draw what their "hopes and dreams for American democracy" were.....




Kathrynn doesn't exactly understand democracy, so I asked her what was important for her world, and this is what she came up with.....





One was not enough, so she went to work on her next project... :)




We returned the following week, and it was the last day of the exhibit. She found this space and went to work, using the same guidelines as the week before.



She really enjoyed being able to take part in this! :)

skating party extravaganza!!!!!!

We had a major birthday celebration at the skating rink! This was the long awaited "friend" party, and it was extra fun as we decided to make it a three-way party since two of her good friends have birthdays around the same time. Kathrynn was SOOO excited...... we made the cake a day early...... and it was so much fun and wonderful to see how she decorated it.

Kathrynn requested a vanilla cake with vanilla icing and then colored icing for whatever she decided to do! Here is the set up......

At her request, I helped with the rainbow.

She did the rest!!!!!

Including picking out candles and placing them on the cake. Look closely and notice the little flipflop candles.... so cute!!! :)
Here she is right before leaving for the party....... just eating some last second food for some skating energy!!!!!




Skating Joy!
Kathrynn was most comfortable skating with Wes or myself, but she did do some solo venturing!!!





Kathrynn and Cora started a trend of pulling the adults in their stocking feet.... by the end of the party there were loads of kids pulling their folks around on their skates. So fun!!!!

Oh the limbo, the limbo!!!!
Here is both of us going under the limbo stick, but by the end of it, she was going under solo ;)





Cake!
Three birthday girls=three birthday cakes!!! WOOT!!! :P





Kathrynn must be trying to get the whole piece in her mouth.......

And she succeeded!!!!!! JUST KIDDING, but looks like it by the size of that cheek!
Wes and I love giving crazy poses for the camera. Here is mine for the day!!!! :D


PHEW! Her party was 100% success. She was SOOO happy about every moment, which meant I was happy about every moment. ;) :) :) :)
Happy 6th birthday, Kathrynn!!!!