Extra curricular activities begin!!

BAM ... back to school, back to hockey/dance/swimming/and possibly ringette!!  No easing in ;)

Blake's first ice time was September 3rd.  The first 2 ice times were warm-up skates.  The next 3 skates were technical skates, where a team of evaluator's evaluated skating skills.  The next 3 ice times were evaluation games.  And finally, after all of that, the teams were set!  Blake's first skate with his team was on the 20th.  Cal is the head coach this year.  They're off to a great start and are both enjoying themselves!  We are KC 054 Storm and can't wait to get our league game schedule and officially start this season!!  We had a great parents meeting on Saturday morning, it seems like we have a wonderful group of kids and parents (although some 'strong' personalities ;) )!  Reese and Emerson have lots of other siblings to run around and play with, which is always good!!  Keeps them happy at the rink :)  I can't wait for not only our first game but our first tournament!!  Tournaments are so much fun and great for team-building!

Emerson and Reese's 1st day of dance was Wednesday the 10th!  Emerson is in Kinderkids (or as we call it, the blue bodysuit!) and Reese is in the Preschool program (aka the red bodysuit!).  They both enjoyed their first class.  They have the same teacher, Miss Rosslyn.  Reese's class is from 4:30 to 5:15 and Em's class is 5:15 to 6 pm.  It's great it worked out they are on the same day and we only have to spend 1 evening at the studio!

Emerson and Reese attended a 'Try Ringette' session on the 9th.  It was hosted by Ringette Alberta and Emerson came off the ice and told me, "I want to register Mom!"  I immediately teared up.  I was quite surprised, as she had a hard time at first.  She has only skated with a walker and there were no walkers on the ice during this session.  I had prepared her for that scenario and she was 100% okay with not using a walker!  But she is very afraid of falling and hurting herself and so the first few falls were tough on her and she came off the ice upset.  She sat with me for a minute or so and then voluntarily got up and went back on the ice and tried again!  I was surprised but sooooo proud of her!!  She wanted this so badly and was determined to try over and over!  There was a very sweet young girl who was volunteering during the session and she took Em and Reese under her wing!  They loved every minute on the ice and in the dressing room afterwards Em said to Reese, "Reese, do you want to register?"  Reese said, "Sir!" (which is sure but sounds like sir!).  It was adorable and I literally got tears in my eyes .. again!  I can't wait for the girls to start ringette, the weekend after Thanksgiving weekend.  I volunteered to coach and hope to help the girls and all the other players have a great year and learn many new skills but most of all have fun and fall in love with ringette!!  Now to register them and get them equipment ... oh boy, these sports are expensive ;)

The YMCA changed their swimming lessons to a continuous format, so we have been registered in swimming lessons all summer long.  But due to vacations and camping weekends, we have missed quite a few.  And at first Blake was registered in a later lesson but we finally got him into the same time slot as the girls, so they all swim from 4:30 to 5 on Friday's!  The girls really love swimming lessons.  We have never once heard them complain about swimming lessons or say they didn't want to go!  There have been times with dance class, that Em has said, "Do I have to go today?"  But never, ever with swimming!!  They really love swimming lessons and are doing awesome in their lessons!  Em has to master an unassisted back float and she'll be moving up to the next level!  If the instructor helps her onto her back and let's go, she can float forever!  But when she throws herself back into the water, she sinks!!  She needs to ease into it vs. throwing herself back!  lol!!  Blake's in the big pool now and is gaining confidence again!  He hadn't been in swimming lessons for almost a year and so was a bit nervous to being again!  But he's doing great and is swimming quite a distance now, all by himself.  Reese is fearless as always and I have a feeling it wont' be long until she is in the same lesson as Emerson!  She swims underwater and everything!

So our kids are staying active and having fun :)  We enjoy shuttling them around, coaching them and taking it all in!!

~ Tracy