Boys Gymnastics {1st Prelim}

Welcome to the world of boys gymnastics!!

Little Man is enjoying himself and is learning a lot. Boys gymnastics is quite a bit different from girls. The events, scoring, and the way meets are run is quite a bit different from what I'm used to with Miss E. I will admit that it is fun to see another side of this sport.

Little Man is competing Level 4 Division 2 right now. His goal is to be competing Level 4 Division 1 by the end of the seaons. The difference in divisions hings on certain skills which are called bonus in scoring. I'm still too new at all of this to completely understand what is going on. His meets right now are scored with colors instead of numbers. The following is the break down.

He did a great job at his meet. You can tell me if you think he had fun.

Blessings,

Elizabeth
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October Book Shelf

Miss E's Book Shelf

1. Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

2. Pippi Goes on Board by Astrid Lindren
3. The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
4. The Fast and the Frozen by Geronimo Stilton
5. The Rival Detective by Walker Styles
6. Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lindgren
7. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
8. Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
9. Meet Me in Horrowood by Geronimo Stilton
10. Telescope Troubles by Nate Ball
11. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

Little Man's Book Shelf

1. Meet the Knights by Julia March
2.Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel
3. Finn & the First Order by Elizabeth Schaefer
4. Henry and Mudge in the Green Time by Cynthia Rylant
5. Henry and Mudge and Annie's Perfect Pet by Cynthia Rylant

6. Henry and Mudge and the Tall Tree House by Cynthia Rylant
7. Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon by Cynthia Rylant
8. Meet the Justice League by Lucy Rosen
9. There was an Old Lady who Sollowed Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
10. Mr. Putter and Tabby See the Stars by Cynthia Rylant
11. Super Animals! by Rico Green
12. Tribes of Chima by Ruth Amos
13. Smash Trash! by Laura Driscoll

Read Alouds and Audio Books

1. The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket
2. How to Be a Pirate by Cressida Cowell
3. Ragweed by Avi
4. The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket
5. How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell

September Book Shelf

The kids have a challenge with their school to see how many pages they can read in the school year. There are little prizes for different levels. The highest level is 50,000 pages which awards them a trophy. Miss E has her eyes set on that goal. At 10,000 pages they get a medal, which both kids have earned the past two years.

Here is what we have been reading this month.

Miss E's Shelf

1. The Christmas Toy Factory by Geronimo Stilton

2. Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro by Geronimo Stilton
3. The Mouse Island Marathon by Geronimo Stilton
4. Otherwise Know as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume
5. Key to the Treasure by Peggy Parish
6. Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume
7. The Treasure of Easter Island by Geronimo Stilton
8. Rider Woofson: Undercover in the Bow-Wow Club by Walker Styles
9. The Search for Sunken Treasure by Geronimo Stilton
10. The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
11. Attack of the Dragons by Geronimo Stilton
Independent pages read: 1294

Little Man's Shelf

1. Ted and Friends (12 phonics readers) by Phil Roxbee Cox and Stephen Cartwright

2. Ice Age Collision Course: Scrat's Space Adventure
3. The Crimson Dynamo Returns! (Iron Man Story)
4. Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel
5. Pup and Hound Scare a Ghost by Susan Hood
6. Carnival Capers! by Eric Esquivel
7. Star Wars At-At Attack by Calliope Glass
8. Star Wars Death Star Battle by Trey King
9. Hiccup the Hero adopted by Catherine Hapka
10. Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
11. Poppleton Everyday by Cynthia Rylant
12. Poppleton and Friends by Cynthia Rylant
Independent pages read: 658

Read Alouds and Audio Books

1. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
3. The Vile Village by Lemony Snicket 

Elizabeth's Shelf

1. Just Friends by Jenn Faulk

Gymnastics #1 {2016 Back to School}

Miss E's fall competition season has started.

The first meet:
 South Bay, YMCA Chula Vista, CA
September 10, 2016

Competing Level 4

The meet was rough. There were a lot of extenuating circumstances leading up to just getting to the meet. Traffic was bad due to a middle of the night fatality which rerouted traffic across the county. She was also struggling with one of her skills and had the thought of having to scratch the floor going through her mind. She pulled her skill together and was able to compete at the last minute, YEA!! Growing involves learning and sometimes you just have to start somewhere. Until next time...

Blessings,

Elizabeth

August Book Shelf

I thought it would be fun to track our reading for the month. Here is what we have been reading. What are you reading?

Elizabeth's Shelf

1. Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies The Real West by David Fisher

Miss E's Shelf

Age 9, 4th grade, avid reader

1. Silver Pony Ranch: Sweet Buttercup by D.L. Green

2. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
3. Superfudge by Judy Blume
4. Greetings From Somewhere: The Mystery of the Forbidden City by Harper Paris
5. Special Gifts by Cynthia Rylant
6. Geronimo and the Gold Medal  Mystery by Geronimo Stilton
7. Soup Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume
8. Thea Stilton and the Spanish Dance Mission by Geronimo Stilton
9. Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume
10. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
11. The Karate Mouse by Geronimo Stilton
12. A Series of Unfortunate Events A Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
13. Grizzly Trap by Justin D'Ath
14. Phantom of the Subway by Geronimo Stilton
15. The Hunt for the Secret Papyrus by Geronimo Stilton
16. Following the Trail of Marco Polo by Geronimo Stilton
17. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
18. Who Was Ferdinand Magellan? by Sydelle Kramer
19. Flight of the Red Bandit by Geronimo Stilton
20. Complete Adventure of Olga da Polga by Michael Bond
      The Tales of Olga da Polga, Olga Meets Her Match, Olga Carries On, Olga Takes Charge

Little Man's Shelf 

Age 7, 2nd grade, emerging reader

1. Charlie the Ranch Dog:Rock Star by Ree Drummond

2. How to Track a Dragon adapted by Erica David
3. Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble by Cynthia Rylant
4. All About the Dragons by Judy Katschke
5. Charlie the Ranch Dog Stuck in the Mud by Ree Drummond
6. Poppleton Forever by Cynthia Rylant
7. The Amazing Adventures of Superman! Creatures from Planet X! by Yale Stewart

Read Alouds

It is very important that Daddy gets involved in our reading time. I want my kids to know that reading is not just a 'girl hobby'. Daddy reads the bedtime story while I start our day with Bible reading and a chapter book.

1. The BFG by Roald Dahl
2. The Secret of Pirates' Hill by Franklin W. Dixon
3. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
4. More About Paddington by Michael Bond
5. Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures The Intrepid Canadian Expedition by Sara Pennypacker
6. Matilda by Roald Dahl

Audio Books

We have started the habit of listening to books in the truck as we drive around town. It has been fun to listen to other people read to us.

1. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
2. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket
3. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket
5. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket

Socialization...classroom experience...break for mom...BSF

Today is the first day of C'lectives for the big kids. What are C'lectives? They are classes that are offered by our Charter School. Some of the classes are core classes while others are more elective or enrichment in nature. Why are my kids in C'lectives? This question is always funny to me. I get asked and then people give me their replies. I've heard, oh, you have them in these classes so they get socialization; oh, you want them to have that classroom experience... the honest, real answer is that I am a BSF lifer.

Now, what is BSF?? BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) is a wonderful Bible Study that I've participated in for over 10 years. On Tuesday mornings, Buddy E and I will be at our local BSF class. BSF has a wonderful, the BEST, children's program. The only problem is that there is only room for children from birth to Kindergarten. The big kids are too old to join Buddy E and I. So, what is a mom to do? I could ask for help from Daddy. Daddy could stay home with the big kids on Tuesday mornings and then go into work late, then he works late, and then Wednesday he tries to get back in the groove and then, and then, and then... you get the idea. For the past three years this is how we have tried to make Tuesday mornings work and it just didn't work. So, I found some classes for the kids to take. More on that in a minute. What is a BSF lifer? A person who will stick around BSF as long as they are welcome. As long as I have a child under the age of 6, I'll be at BSF Tuesday mornings, Lord willing. Then after the kids outgrow the preschool program, Lord willing, I'll move to the evening class which has a school age program. Side note: Eric takes the big kids to BSF on Monday nights. He is in a men's class which has the school age program. It is the BEST!! Let me know if you are interested in BSF and I'll get you some info.

Back to C'lectives. The big kids are taking a full day of classes on Tuesdays this year. They both woke up really excited this morning. I hope the excitement lasts at least through December. Miss E is taking PE, Art, Primary Writing, and Spanish. Little Man is taking Spanish, Art, PE, and Computers. I'm losing a day of instruction, but Tuesdays will be an important day for us.

Upon picking the kids up this afternoon everyone was pretty happy. Miss E is not excited about her Primary Writing class, but writing is something we need to work on so she will need to get over it. Next week in PE the kids get to go swimming so they are looking forward to C'lectives next week.

What are you adding to your week to help with instruction or give a creative outlet?

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Our Summer Break

At Domicile Lessons we've decided to take a full break from school for the month of July. The kids are really excited. I'm kinda on the fence. It is nice to have a break, but on the other hand I struggle when our routine is messed up.

What have we been up to??

Week 1: Miss E competed in Y Nationals. We celebrated the 4th of July with friends from church. We learned that Baby E does not like being in his car seat after dark. We also learned that there are a few songs that he will 'jam out to' which will cease the crying for a little bit. To wrap up our week we enjoyed a family day at Sea World which included staying for their little fireworks show.

The cleaner fish is one of our favorite stops at Sea World.

 Week 2: We ended up staying close to home. Little Man had has second trial class at the new gym which brought our time at gymnastics up to 13 hours this week. This was just a taste of what August will bring to our family. The plumber had to pay us a visit as our hot water heater is upset. I'm really not a fan of cold showers no matter how hot it is outside.

Week 3: This was an extremely hot week for San Diego which included a heat advisory. We tried to beat the heat with a sprinkler play date with good friends, a trip to the library cool zone, Rita's Italian Ice, and a trip to the beach. The girls also got a little pampering done with hair cuts. We ended the week with a movie night after church at church.

Week 4:  Again we tried to beat the heat. We saw "Finding Dory" in the theater and spent another day at the beach. Miss E had her annual Gymnastics banquet. She was awarded 'Most Improved' and was also given the 'Honesty Award'. Little Man had his last practice at the YMCA and Miss E got her double back handspring. It was quite exciting!!

He rides in style and then naps. A huge win for this mom.

Our summer has come to an end. Now to get back settled into a routine.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Gymnastics #10 {Y Nationals}

Y Nationals is a huge meet that I believe is open to all the YMCAs across America. Our gym does not travel as a rule so when Y Nationals came to Long Beach this year it was our opportunity to participate.

It was a fun event and pretty overwhelming. We were at the Long Beach Convention center. There were three different levels competing at the same time. We got to watch from the stands for a birds eye view.

This was not Miss E's best meet, but it was her last meet as a level 3 gymnast. She missed a skill on the bars and she later told me that sometimes that happens. She wasn't upset, she just said her facts and moved on. I'm proud of her.

She ended the meet with several medals and overall, feeling good. 

Changes Better Called New Opportunities

Changes... sometimes they are hard and sometimes they are just a part of life; sometimes they bring anxiety and sometimes they bring excitement. There are times in life when people come and go. Our recent experiences with 'see-ya's' are to people who have had a great impact on our lives who are moving on to better opportunities. The most recent 'see-ya' has helped me to see the Lord open doors to new opportunities for one of the kiddos.

This guy has been doing gymnastics since he was 3 1/2. He started a little bit younger than his sister, but he showed great skills early on. Due to schedule conflicts he was never able to 'move up' in the program. At roughly 5 1/2, the boys coach invited him to join the 'big kid' class. Technically you are not supposed to join the 'big kids' class until you are 6. It did not take long for everyone to see that he had skills beyond the beginner class and we moved him to the intermediate/advanced class. During this same time, talk was going on about starting a boys team at our gym. 2 years have passes since the beginning of those discussions and there is still no movement in that direction. I've had many talks with Little Man and he would love to compete and be a part of a team like Miss E. So, we are taking him out of our current gym and moving him to a gym with an established boys program. 

I took Little Man over to a gym to 'try out' and he was invited on the spot to join their team. We've got a few more steps to take before he is officially a part of that team, but I am seeing the Lord moving us in this direction. It is an exciting time for this guy!!

Miss E will stay where she is. I will become a literal taxi. Schedules are going to be crazy for awhile, but I'm excited to see the growth in both kids. 

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Update #1: The first 'try-out' class went really well. The coach was impressed with Little Man's strength and skills. He was really tired and didn't have too much to say. We will do one more class in a couple of weeks before we make our final decision on what to do.

Update #2: Our second 'try-out' went really well. The new coach actually said that they would like Little Man to compete in their in house meet the end of July. I said thanks but we would not be able to. This is going to be a great move for him. August 1st, he will become a part of a team and will be a boy's level 4!!

Gymnastics # 9 {YMCA State}

Our gym had the privilege of hosting YMCA State. The only gyms that participated in this meet were YMCAs from the greater San Diego area and a couple from the greater LA area. As a mom, the meet was a lot of work and very tiring, but I think the girls enjoyed being at home.

Miss E had an amazing meet and finished the season really strong. Like I've said all season, I'm so very proud of my daughter. She has a goal and she is fighting for it. She dug deep and came out on top. I'm so excited to see what is next for her.

Miss E started the meet off a little bit shaky. As she was warming up for Beam, she fell off. She shook it off though and finished the meet on the Bars. She got her highest score for the season on the Bars and that pushed her to 1st place All Around. She was shocked!!

The meet was June 4, on Friday June 17 it was announced that she will begin practicing with the Level 4s. WOO HOO!!!

Gymnastics # 8 {Flower Cup Invitational}

The second meet of the season was her best meet to date. The Flower Cup Invitational was held at the Cameron YMCA in Santee on May 15, 2016. For our gym, she actually received the highest All Around score. I wished I was able to record her reaction as she saw her scores after each event. Excited is not a strong enough emotion. Miss E has worked really hard and it has paid off. I'm a really proud gymnastics mom.

Gymnastics # 7 {Spring Fling Invitational}

Here is the first meet of the spring season.

ENJOY!!

Spring Fling Invitation was held in Chula Vista on May 1, 2016. Miss E did a fantastic job. She improved all of her scores from the fall except for vault, which she still did great on. Her goal was to get an All Around score of 35. She exceeded that score and also had her first meet with three 9s. As we were leaving she asked me what celebration we could have because she did so well. I asked her what she wanted, preparing myself for something huge. All she wanted was a snowball from Baltimore Snowball. Easiest celebration ever!! (however, I was ready for Disneyland to be on the table.)

4 years at the YMCA

Facebook has an 'on this day' reminder and I was looking at my past memories from January 7.

4 years ago we joined the YMCA. Miss E was 4 1/2(ish) and Little Man was 2 1/2. Neither kid was in any kind of organized sport, but both kids were highly active. I remember walking through the YMCA and looking at the child watch place. Back then it was located in the gym. Someone told us that we could do one gymnastics class for FREE. Who would have ever guessed where that one class would lead us...

 January 2012

 This is the first gymnastic picture I could find, dated August 2012.
Miss E was 5 and in Super Tots.
Super Tots is a 'by invitation class only'.

Fast forward 3 1/2 years and Miss E is competing Level 3.

Here she is before her first meet, August 2015.

She promoted to Team in July 2015.

Wow!! In 4 years we started gymnastics and then progressed to team. Today, January 7, 2016 Miss E is starting her second season as a Level 3 competitive gymnast. I'm not sure how long we will ride this train, but I did say all those years ago that we would ride this as long as she wanted. I'm really proud of her and how much she has grown both in her ability and as a little person.

Blessings,
Elizabeth