Soccer Season

Soccer season has started!  For us that is when our life gets a bit crazy.  First soccer then school and before we know it we are super busy.  Especially these last couple weeks because the kids were doing soccer and swimming.  Now that their swimming has ended I expect it will calm down a bit until the soccer games start.  We have three kids on three different teams to our Mondays Wednesdays and Saturdays are all pretty much filled up.

This is Scarlett's first year doing soccer.  She loves it and seems to have a lot of fun at her practices.

I didn't get as many pictures of Tucker because I only got to watch his practice for a minute.  His practice is at almost the same time as Penelope's but at a different field.  Scarlett's is at an earlier time.  We deffinitly are juggling things around trying to get it all done.

Tucker needs a little bit more motivation to run around during his soccer practices.  But because we are homeschooling I really wanted him in some sport this year.

Some practices have been hot and the coaches have all been making sure they get lots of drinks.

Penelope surprised me by how much she likes soccer.  She doesn't like that she doesn't know the coach or most of the other girls.  But she did get lucky and ended up with one girl on her team that is in her frontier girls troop.  That is a big deal for her because being around people she doesn't know is very scary.  I think once she gets a bit more comfortable with the other people she will really love it.

I like soccer because it gets the kids running and more involved than some of the other sports (t-ball). And it keeps the kids active and outside which is always a bonus.  Hopefully we don't get too much rain this season!

RBX Active Review

I just got a new pair of yoga pants and wanted to share!  I have a few pairs now but I still don't feel like I have enough.  I work out a few times a week and I probably wear my exercise clothes more often then I wear any one regular pair of pants.  After all, I have way more jeans to rotate through then yoga pants.

These are from the RBX Power Collection and they are pretty nice.  It has been my experience that you don't need to buy expensive exercise clothes to get good ones.  The really cheap ones get holes fast, but there is a nice middle ground of good quality but inexpensive pants and at $30 these fall into that group.

These are not the thickest pants out there but they are not see through like some work out clothes I've tried on.  I love the bright color for when I go jogging on the street.  And they have a small hidden pocket where I like to stash emergency rubber bands.

This last picture is of my forearm stand.  It is definitely a work in progress and I have a long way to go, but I've been practicing it everyday and have gotten better already!

Another thing I like about these is that you don't see everyone at the gym wearing the same ones.  But they are not too crazy that you stand out either.  I would definitely recommend these to anyone needing a pair of good exercise capris.

For a 25% discount through the end of July and free shipping over $50 use the code Active25.

Tucker Jumping In

A little while back I posted pictures of the girls jumping into the swimming pool, but I didn't get a chance to take a video of tucker jumping in.  It is always hard to watch all three kids at the same time during swim lessons.  So when I took Tucker to a pool party I took the opportunity to get a video of him jumping in.

The party was the first time Tucker has gotten to really use his swimming outside of lessons.  At first he was feeling pretty shy because he didn't know everyone but after he took the swim test and got to jump in off the diving board he was feeling much better.  He was one of the only ones who could pass the test (swim the length of the pool doing the crawl stroke and swim back on his back) and when he jumped in the other boys thought it was cool.  After that he said it was ok for me to leave.



I'm glad he got the chance to have fun swimming.

Swim Lessons

Since September Tucker, Penelope, and Scarlett have been taking swim lessons.  At times it has been really stress full for me but the kids like it so we decided to stick it out through the summer and then reevaluate.

Tucker has been making lots of progress and went from being able to swim a very little to swimming the length of the pool.  My main struggle with his classes is that one session he will have a great teacher and learn a lot and then the next session they will just goof off and he seems to get worse.

Penelope has made some progress but not a ton.  She now can do lots of bobs (put her whole head underwater) and floats a little on her back. But isn't able to really swim at all on her own.  For some reason the last session she was getting really stressed out and would cry in the middle of it for no apparent reason.  She would even tell me she doesn't know why.  I think it might be that the other kids are a bit rough and I'm hoping that the next session will be better for her.

Scarlett is still at the very beginning level and so part of me feels like it is just a big waste of time.  We've just barely convinced her to do a bob (put her whole head underwater) but aside from that I haven't seen any progress at all.  I really think that we could put the kids in when they are six and they could catch up to the years of swim lessons at age 3.  But because we are taking Tucker I figure I might as well take them all.  And they love it so even though they aren't making tons of progress they are having fun...for the most part.

Here are a couple videos from their last session.

Seahawks!

The Seahawks are going to the Superbowl!  I normally don't follow football but when the whole state is obsessed it is hard to ignore.  Tucker's school even has Seahawks Day every Friday where the kids are encouraged to dress up.  I'm not anti football, I just think it is a bit boring and a waste of time (not that I don't do plenty of other things that waste time, watching football is just not my preference).  Anyway, everyone was raving about Sunday's game so yesterday we decided to dress up and watch it.  

It was hard to watch with the kids talking and playing nonstop, but it was kind of fun.  It was crazy how behind the Seahawks were and how they were able to get so many points in just 2 minutes!  Of course it would have been more exciting if I didn't already know the outcome.

I'm glad the Seahawks won!  I love how it feels like everyone is coming together to support one thing.  Plus with all the football gear and merchandise the Seahawks doing good has got to be good for the local economy.  I have to admit I am excited for the Superbowl.

Rock Climbing

We went rock climbing again.  Tucker has been practically begging to go again after that first time.  I think he really wanted to make it up the meduim wall like his sister.

One of the climbing instructors was different this time and for some reason Penelope was not loving her.  I don't know why she was very nice and smiley.  But Penelope refused to talk to her and for a while she couldn't climb until she said the commands.  I had to walk over and make her say it.  I thought it was so weird but she was being shy I guess.

We went during the day this time so the lighting was so much better for pictures.

Penelope breezed through the easy wall but got scared at the top on her first try.  Luckily no one had to climb up and get her this time.  She moved on to do the medium a couple times.

Tucker did the medium wall on his first try with no problems and he moved onto the medium hard wall.  It looked hard to me but he did a good job.  He was so close to the top two times that it was so hard to watch him quit.  I just know he wanted to make it so bad.
Oh well maybe next time.

This wall had cracks and crevices he had to hold onto instead of the regular hand holds.

In the next picture you can see how high Tucker got.  It was a tough spot, that I doubt I could ever do.

Ok, I'll stop bombarding you with rock climbing pictures.  I probably won't even go next time.  Scarlett and Leon are too young to climb and it is easier sometimes to just stay home with them instead of making them sit and watch.

Rock Climbing

The kids had a week off from their swim lessons so with our extra time one day we took them rock climbing.  Bob and I both thought the kids would get a little bit off the ground and start crying and give up.  But they really showed us.  They both did amazing!

Tucker would quickly climb halfway up the easy wall and then instantly get scared and give up and say he wants down.  Penelope was much slower and also made it about half way her first time.  But on her second time she made it all the way to the top.  She then got scared and an employee had to climb up and give her a piggy back ride down.  After that she moved on the the more difficult wall and climbed it to the top two times!  I was shocked that she is such a good climber.  I really had no idea.

Tucker took a few more tries but did make it to the top of the easy wall.  This first picture shows Tucker at the top of the easy wall and Penelope about halfway up the the medium wall.  They really are quit high.

After Tucker and Penelope went I had to give it a try.  I've never been good at rock climbing.  I've tried on those mobile walls a couple times and have never been able to do it.  I also tried on a real mountain before but I was the only one in my group who couldn't do it.  I don't know why I just don't feel safe holding on to those little knobs.  I'm usually pretty decent and sport type things, but not rock climbing.  Anyway, I tried the easy wall and really wanted to give up.  Especially when I got to just below where I am in the picture.  But with the kids encouragements and taunts that they made it up I was able to make it.  But I didn't like it and don't really want to do it again.  I am so much taller then the kids I really am amazed that they could do it!  It was so hard.

Bob of course was able to do a much harder wall with no problem.  He did get a bit scared letting go and coming down though.  I guess he just didn't trust the rope.  I thought the guy was going to have to climb up and help him down just like Penelope.  Just kidding.

Here is a video of Penelope's first time up the easy wall.  You can tell she was pretty scared.  After this time she didn't really get scared anymore.

And here is one of Tucker's attempts.  I'm bummed I didn't get a video of him making it to the top.  At least you can see how fast he would climb and then suddenly get scared and just give up.

It was so nice because the whole time there was only one other kid there.  So Tucker and Penelope just got to go again and again as much as they wanted.  Hopefully we can find time to go back.

BasketBall

A couple weeks ago Tucker started basket ball.  Earlier this year he said he didn't want to do soccer because he wanted to do basketball.  I thought he might be too little for it but so far he loves it.  I never played basketball growing up but I think it is a good sport where he can get a good work out and learn to be around other kids.

He had a couple coaches his first week, but this girl seemed like the main one and she was really good.  They said we could leave and pick him up in an hour but Bob stayed the whole time anyway.  Everything went well so the next time I was going to leave him but that teacher I liked wasn't there.  I didn't really feel like the other teacher would notice if Tucker was missing so I stayed and luckily this teacher showed up 15 minutes late and I was able to go.  Part of me felt like I was being over protective because there was only one other parent there.  But they were all strangers and I'd rather be on the safe side.

Tucker was funny when they ran back and forth across the gym.  They did things like "high knees" and "grape vine."  Tucker didn't really know how to do them so he just went very slowly and kept trying.  I mean all the other kids were down and back before Tucker was even down.  It was funny to me because the other kids who didn't get it just tried and ended up running normally but tucker just went slow and smiled at everyone while they waited for him to finish.  He didn't seem embarrassed the slightest bit.

Tucker said his favorite part was at the beginning when they just got to play and shoot baskets while they waited for everyone arrive.  I hope he sticks with it and keeps enjoying it.

t-ball party

Now that t-ball has officially ended Tucker's team had a little party.  The did a potluck barbecue at a park and it was a lot of fun.  We hung out and ate, then the kids played a t-ball game against the adults, then there was a small award ceremony where the boys got trophies.

Bob even got a special trophy that all the boys signed.

Afterward they all got together for a team picture.  I was especially happy about this because I didn't buy the professional one.

Then there was lots of time to play at the park.

The weather wasn't great, but that didn't stop anyone.

Even Leon is old enough now to really enjoy the park.  I think we will be going a lot this summer.

I had to take a picture when I noticed that just my kids were taking up every swing on the swing set. Sorry everyone else, the Woestman kids were swinging.

T-ball Videos

As promised here are just a few of the t-ball videos.






This last one is kinda long.  I just thought it was hilarious watching him wait on base for the ball to be hit.  Also notice the kids in the background right after he runs to third base.  He was trying to hard.


I need to make a correction from yesterday's post. I said Tucker made 4 outs but I guess he is very adamant it was 5 and Bob said he actually thinks he made 6.  It doesn't matter to me, but to Tucker it is important.

Tucker's second game is tonight but he is missing it because his 1st grade performance is at the same time.

First T-Ball Game

Tucker had his first t ball game over the weekend and he did great.  I've seriously never seen him get so many ground balls in a row before.  He must have been excited.  He was lucky and got to play pitcher for the first inning.  In t-ball whomever plays pitcher gets the most balls, like 75% of them. 

Tucker even made 4 "outs" by himself.  Two as pitcher and two as short stop.  He would get the ball and instead of throwing it to the person on the base he would just run and try to beat the runner.  It actually worked really well because they rarely ever caught each others throws.  I'm sure that isn't the right way to do it, but for t-ball who really cares.  Their outs aren't even outs.  No one actually gets out.  His league is purely instructional, which I like.  Tucker isn't training to be professional, just to have fun and learn to get along as a team.

Here they are getting ready to bat.  Tucker was last because he started with "W."  That was just fine with him, the last batter gets a home run!

 Their end of game cheer.

Getting ready for the high fives.  I thought it was perfect how Tucker went first so I could get good pictures.

Then after the game Coach Bob sat all the boys down and picked one MVP of the game.  That boy gets a special medal.

Bob was extremely busy during the entire game.  Luckily Grandma and Grandpa were there to help with the kids.  But I am not looking forward to watching the 2 hour games alone with three kids twice a week.

The only bad thing about the game was it started almost an hour late.  We were supposed to play at 2 but the team on the field was very rude and didn't end until about 2:45!  Plus the boys had gotten there early so they waited for an entire hour before even getting on the field.  I'm kinda mad about it.  Bob emailed the head coach to let them know but hasn't heard anything back.

I have lots of videos but it is really sunny outside and I don't want to sit on the computer another minute.  Check back tomorrow for the vids.