Maddie's working hard to compete at level 5 this year! Here she is doing handstands and cartwheels on the beam...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday morning musings
This morning Holly came to me a little out of sorts because she was bored (no computer before church). I suggested she work on her "Personal Progress."
She took out her book and began thumbing through it looking for something to work on and came across one that asked her to read a scripture passage and then make a list of things she could do personally to "bear one another's burdens." This was one that she initially thought she could do.
She started making her list and then became upset and frustrated saying that she couldn't possibly do any of it and it wouldn't help anyone anyway and would cost too much money that we didn't have and on and on and on.
So I sat down with her and tried to tell her about the little things that we can do to lift each other's burdens. I think she had kind of tuned me out, because she wasn't buying it.
So I took her here and here showed her this. I talked to her about the fundraisers and auctions held for monetary help for this family, but I also showed her the many comments, the balloon launch, the posts thanking others for their prayers, cards and letters and this video:
Balloons for Nie from Jared Foster on Vimeo.
Holly became quiet as she read and watched the story of this young family and all that has been and is being done for them--the big things and the little things. She was a little teary (as was I) when the last video ended. She started thinking of the things she might do, and she went forward with her planning.
The whole discussions of course got me thinking of the little things that lift me when my burdens seem heavy--a compliment, a hug, a note, another's gratitude for something I've done. I then started asking myself--do I do these things often enough for others in an effort to lift them up?
At this time in my life I don't have money to donate nor do I have large chunks of time to devote to large projects that lift the burdens of others, but I do have the ability to lift others with words, a hug, gratitude and a smile. I'm making a goal to consciously strive to do these things.
She took out her book and began thumbing through it looking for something to work on and came across one that asked her to read a scripture passage and then make a list of things she could do personally to "bear one another's burdens." This was one that she initially thought she could do.
She started making her list and then became upset and frustrated saying that she couldn't possibly do any of it and it wouldn't help anyone anyway and would cost too much money that we didn't have and on and on and on.
So I sat down with her and tried to tell her about the little things that we can do to lift each other's burdens. I think she had kind of tuned me out, because she wasn't buying it.
So I took her here and here showed her this. I talked to her about the fundraisers and auctions held for monetary help for this family, but I also showed her the many comments, the balloon launch, the posts thanking others for their prayers, cards and letters and this video:
Balloons for Nie from Jared Foster on Vimeo.
Holly became quiet as she read and watched the story of this young family and all that has been and is being done for them--the big things and the little things. She was a little teary (as was I) when the last video ended. She started thinking of the things she might do, and she went forward with her planning.
The whole discussions of course got me thinking of the little things that lift me when my burdens seem heavy--a compliment, a hug, a note, another's gratitude for something I've done. I then started asking myself--do I do these things often enough for others in an effort to lift them up?
At this time in my life I don't have money to donate nor do I have large chunks of time to devote to large projects that lift the burdens of others, but I do have the ability to lift others with words, a hug, gratitude and a smile. I'm making a goal to consciously strive to do these things.
Driver's License (at last!)
The day finally came! After a few hours driving time with an instructor (and several hours with Mom and Dad), the instructor said he was ready to take the driving test and get his license. Mom and Dad were not quite as sure, but nevertheless, he went and took his driving test and passed the first time (which is more than I can say)!
Behind him is the vehicle he will drive--a 1988 Cavalier that we bought when he was six days old! Holly scratched an "H" into it when she was two. It was at that point we decided that it was marked for future teenage use. It obviously is kind of a "beater" car, but you know--he has a car to drive! We are still trying to get used to the idea that we can send him to the store or let him drive himself to work, but we're getting used to not chauffeuring him around really fast!
Behind him is the vehicle he will drive--a 1988 Cavalier that we bought when he was six days old! Holly scratched an "H" into it when she was two. It was at that point we decided that it was marked for future teenage use. It obviously is kind of a "beater" car, but you know--he has a car to drive! We are still trying to get used to the idea that we can send him to the store or let him drive himself to work, but we're getting used to not chauffeuring him around really fast!
101 Dalmatians!
Emily with her script and the stereo she keeps swiping to practice with! Emily is participating in a Winter Children's Theatre where they are putting on a musical production of "101 Dalmatians." There are about 15 kids in the production so most of them have more than one part. Emily is playing the parts of Nanny and Sgt. Tibbs in addition to being part of the dogs that do the twilight bark. They practice Tuesdays and Thursdays for an hour and a half and will perform in mid- November.
Maddie got her kip!
Maddie in a front supportMaddie finally got her kip! It is one of the key skills for level five this year and she's been working hard on it!
What is a kip (also known as a glide kip)? Well, I wanted to film Maddie doing it, but unfortunately, I haven't actually seen her do it yet--but the coaches and all of the parent spectators have told me they saw her do it. So for your viewing pleasure, here is Nastia Liuken. The kip is her mount onto the bar. She does the kip several times throughout the clip.
Note: The handstand Nastia does upon mounting is NOT part of the kip. The kip ends in a front support. As soon as I catch Maddie on film doing her kip, I will post it!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Thank you, Emily and Daniel
A couple of weeks ago when we were trying to prepare for school to start, we were faced with a number of challenges: how could we get dinner on and eaten before bedtime; how to get Ellie home from school since most days Paul and I don't get home before 4:30; how to get Maddie and Ellie to school on my clinical days. Our schedules were just so full that I was afraid the "fend for yourself" dinner was going to be the norm.
Enter Emily. As we were in the middle of discussing the situation, she spoke up.
Right away, she said, "Well, I can meet Ellie (and Maddie on Tues/Thurs) at the bus and walk them home." I had been afraid to ask, because it seemed like a lot to ask her to do it every day.
Daniel also agreed very readily to help out by taking the dog out, unloading the dishes and making sure things were in order to be able to eat dinner on time while Emily does the prep work.
Enter Emily. As we were in the middle of discussing the situation, she spoke up.
Right away, she said, "Well, I can meet Ellie (and Maddie on Tues/Thurs) at the bus and walk them home." I had been afraid to ask, because it seemed like a lot to ask her to do it every day."Are you sure? Even if it's raining...or snowing...or the wind is blowing...or you are tired?"
"Yeah, I can do that," she said without a hesitation. Oh, thank you Emily! One major problem, SOLVED!
In addition to the above, she also agreed readily to do some dinner preparation during the hour that she is home before going to get Maddie and Ellie.
Daniel also agreed very readily to help out by taking the dog out, unloading the dishes and making sure things were in order to be able to eat dinner on time while Emily does the prep work.A phone call to another mom solved the morning transportation problem--shared car pool!
Thank you Emily and Daniel for stepping up to the plate during this very busy semester! I'm so proud of you and I love you!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Maddie and the Tinky-Winkies
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, Maddie goes straight from school to gymnastics practice. She has to have a ponytail when she works out, so in the morning, I always put her hair up before she goes to school.
I started brushing her hair back this morning to gather it into the ponytail and she protested.
"Mom! Don't brush my hair like that; the tinky-winkies will come out!"
"The what?" I asked .
"The tinky-winkies!"
"What are the tinky-winkies?"
"This!" And she held some wispy pieces of hair out from her head that never seem to behave when the rest of her hair is tamed into the pony.
In this picture, you can see the tinky-winkies really well!
However, a little gel, and a little hairspray and...
Ta-da! The tinky-winkies are all hiding!
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