Cheering Section

Grandma Pat has definitely had some experience in coaching and encouraging aspiring baseball players. They only stopped because the sprinkles turned into rain.

Group Effort

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

This ladybug worker guy is OSHA compliant. Good thing Vincent was wearing his PPE, because the metal car fell and bonked him right in the goggles.

Birthdaypalooza

Third birthday party of February...whew! This was the best one yet, for all of us. It was a family party, with people we enjoy spending time with. Tons of good food, little kids running all over, and interesting conversation in every direction. The bouncy house and face paint heaped pleasure upon pleasure for the children. (The pink puppy dog on Vincent's cheek was done to his specifications.)

For The Love Of Beets

Or in Zoe's case, for the love of things beet-colored. She is definitely a pink kind of girl. As such, pink pancakes went over well. She also appreciated my attempt at a heart shape, blobby as it was. I quickly went back to round pancakes. Round ones are easier to make and more fit in the pan, enabling me to keep up with the demands of my other eater. Vincent had no comments on the color or shape of his pancakes. He signaled his approval with "Moh pease." 

Kids And Animals

I finally downloaded some new(ish) pictures from the camera. About time, huh? 

We went to the zoo on a sunny but cool Friday, and had the place largely to ourselves. We had a lovely, leisurely visit, complete with lunch on a bench by the barnyard petting pen. Vincent did not appreciate this chicken's interest in his sandwich: "Doh 'way, titten! Doh 'way" The chicken was not aggressive, just inquisitive. 

Now we're having a rainy patch of weather, which is of course what winter is supposed to be like here. The rain is not without its charms. The sound of water trickling in the downspouts is pleasant. Splashing in puddles is fun. And snails are emboldened by the moisture. This one wandered up a window, providing a unique view of its stomach foot (literal translation of gastropod). 

Swimmingly

We joined a gym. About time, too, since we've been talking about it for a year. Thing is, I should have waited just a tad longer. Like until my nasty cough cleared up and my ribs stopped aching. 

We became members, I took two yoga classes that involved laying around in relaxing poses while listening to soothing music, and then I had to take off tens days or so because even bliss yoga was too much. The teacher instructed us to let our bodies make sounds, such as groaning and sighing, as the spirit moved us. She didn't mention wet hacking and phlegmy gurgling, so I kept those sounds at home. 

As I write this, I am thinking of you, Sally D: you recently told all your Facebook friends not to post about a workout unless it involved a spectacular face plant on a runaway treadmill. I hope you'll forgive a post about yoga noises.

My respiratory health is returning, so today we tried out one of the big attractions of this gym: the pool. Zoe doesn't remember her dips in the pool in Texas, and Vincent has never been in a body of water bigger than the bath tub. It is past time for them to acquire some water skills. 

A dry run with our new equipment went swimmingly: 

The caps are lycra...no hair pulling! It'll keep Zoe's hair out of her face, but mostly they're for holding some heat in those little bodies. The floaties look ridiculous, but the device got good reviews as being well suited for our purposes. 

On the way to the pool, Zoe confided, "I'm a little nervous." Still, she was eager. Vincent was completely gung ho. Once in the water, Zoe's squeals of delight were ringing off the tiles. It was so loud, I had to shush her a bit. Vincent was all smiles, repeating "We smimmin'!" He did want to stay right on my hip with my arm around him. Later, he let me swish him around in the water at arm's length. 

It was not at all crowded when we were there at 2:30 this afternoon, just a few other families with young children, some of which we knew. Zoe was emboldened by the confidence of her friend L, who bravely jumped and splashed and put her face in the water and bobbed around in her floaties all by herself (with mama nearby). Following L's example, Zoe tried all of the same and did great. 

Step one is getting comfortable in the water, and to that end I hope to get in the pool at least once a week. We're going to aim for the same time next week, as that's when L's family swims. We know them from the farm share, and enjoy their company. Step two will be lessons. Small group and one on one lessons are offered for our age range. 

The gym also has on site childcare for the children. This will allow me to take a few classes. Yoga, pilates, water aerobics, step, zumba, strength conditioning, that kind of thing. Regular exercise makes me feel so much better, mentally as well as physically. Too bad I'm not good at sticking to an exercise regimen at home. I've done okay with yoga videos in the past, but not lately (fourish years lately). Now, if I get on the floor, two small people think I'm giving horsey rides or zooms to the moon. 

Anyway, I am motivated to make the most of this gym membership. But who isn't, when they first sign up? We'll see how I do! Sally D, I'll do my best to limit the posts about my workouts. Okay with you if I go on about the post-workout soak in the hot tub or steam room? ;)

Chalk It Up