Breaking Boards

I am not sure these pictures showed up when I originally posted this. So I re-published them. Do you see them now?

We started homeschool karate last week at a nearby studio. They offered a special introductory homeschool program twice a week in the afternoons. Three short intro sessions and a uniform were included. They got a very good response and we are part of a large class. I've decided (against popular opinion) to sign all 5 of us up for their homeschool program that begins next Monday. I'm enjoying it and it fits my goal of keeping us active as a family.

Specifics for those who want to know: It's Korean martial arts called Tang Soo Do.

Choosing Kids' Activities

Something about standing in the shower makes me think. Maybe it's the fact that I really can't multi-task in there. LOL So, the other day, I was mulling something over in the shower.

I was wondering why parents give their kids so much choice over their activities. I don't intend to offend anyone here, so please reserve your judgment.

My kids don't get much choice over their extracurricular activities, nor over their curriculum - at least not in cases where I have a strong opinion. I know many families handle this differently, but for us? I feel that we as parents have the better perspective, including the wisdom to look back over our own choices and see where we might have chosen better. We also understand our schedules, our wallets, and our willingness (or non-willingness, as the case may be) to drive all over the county (or even the state!).

I don't have the sort of kids who want to sign up for everything. In fact, if I didn't sign them up for sports, art class, field trips, camp, etc..., then probably they'd just sit home. That's not acceptable to me. I want them to have cultural experiences, to be active, to make friends, to learn about the world.

As an example, probably only one, maybe two, of my kids would choose to play soccer if left to their own devices. But all 4 are playing this year. All have played soccer most years since they were five or six. The years they did not play, we ended up regretting the choice. Soccer works well for us, but it might not be the best choice for your family. My point is not to go sign your kids up for soccer, but find what works for your family and insist upon it.

This fall I've signed three of my kids up for gymnastics without even asking them. I want them to do something active over the winter since they won't have soccer to keep them moving and our climate is not conducive to a lot of outdoor activities from December through February (or more!). Other things we've tried over the winter haven't worked well for us, but I have high hopes for this. Anyway, my point is - I made the choice. They were not consulted.

At some point, kids must learn to manage their own time, desires, and money. I offer my older children a little more autonomy, as long as acceptable alternatives are explored. For instance, David chose not to do our monthly art class anymore. I required him to continue to explore artistic concepts on his own and he has. However, he also requested not to play soccer several years ago, so I gave him an alternative - be sure to include physical activity in your schedule two or three times a week in good weather. Just like soccer would require, you know? Did he do this? No, he did not. So he ended up back in soccer.

Some of you may be thinking - that wouldn't work for us. The kids wouldn't do it. Well, mine aren't usually happy about the idea either. Oh well. An opportunity for attitude adjustments.

They'll thank me later. Right?

Running Green

From Emmett Day 5K

Today I ran my first 5K. The kids and Bob ran or walked a 1 mile course before the 5K. James and Suzy ran most of the course. David walked all of it, I think, and Emily ran a little and walked most of it. Bob, of course, walked with his cane, and had the distinction of finishing last, having declined a ride to the finish line. He got applause though!

I was able to run almost the whole thing; just a few times I slowed to a walk to catch my breath and then right back to jogging. I didn't feel overtaxed or tired, but took it easy since this was only the second time EVER I had jogged 3.1 miles. I was pleased with my time - just under 35 minutes, if Bob heard right. I had the 80's rock blaring in my headphones. lol

The weather was perfect - sunny but not hot and there was a bit of a breeze. We ran on a road, at the beginning it was packed gravel, but the bulk of the course was pavement. At 1.5 miles, we were offered water. There the course doubled back on itself, so the second half of the course was the first half in reverse.

We all got medals for running and the winners got trophies. No tee-shirts, since this was a "green" race. They asked everyone to wear green and it also kept the cost low. Just $5 for the 5K and $1 for the 1 miles. Afterwards there was water, apples, pretzels, and cookies for the participants. The race had a nice small-town feel. 89 people participated in the races and the spirit was encouraging and friendly.

Yes, I will do another 5K! Know of any good ones?

Twins!

Saw five deer during my jog this morning. That's the first time I've seen any at all on my runs, even though I almost always run the same route. One doe right at the beginning, then two fawns and their mom, and then one more doe. This was between 9-10 am.

[Note - no, I didn't take this pic. I googled. lol]

I also saw two deer last night driving home. One doe was in the road, so I slowed down. Then I saw a buck (antlers!) on the shoulder and he nearly ran out in front of me. Good thing I'd slowed down!

Learning to Run

Not too much academic work has been happening at Cornerstone Home Learning during the last few weeks. The learning continues however - lots of library books all around. We are enjoying the lazy days and praying that God continues to allow the children to learn at home during the next year.

I have been learning something new this summer though. I've started jogging!

Yes, at the age of 42, I've decided life would be better if I could run a 5K. This is due in no small part to my good friend Jennifer. She also started running during the last year and has HER sights now set on running a half-marathon!

For those of you who have shown interest into my fitness venture, I've decided to write it out here. If you could care less, please feel free to skip! LOL

In December, I decided that 2009 was the year in which I would get into shape. I started working out in January and haven't missed a week of workouts since. At the time, I didn't imagine jogging as something I could do, however.

My first few weeks were focused on short aerobics workouts I'd recorded off ESPN years and years ago. I felt comfortable with The Fitness Pros, since I'd done the workouts all those years back, and they were only about 20 minutes long, easy to integrate into my life three times a week.

I was using sparkpeople.com to record my calories and faithfully recorded each workout at that site as well. I highly recommend SparkPeople, a FREE website with TONS of tools for learning and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. (Thank you to Marla, for telling me about it!)

After several months, these short aerobics workouts were no longer a challenge, but the weather was rotten and I had no money to join a gym. I started doing aerobics moves in front of the television, while watching a DVD, so as not to get bored. I increased the time gradually until I was working out for 45 minutes three or four times a week.

But Jennifer's constant discussion of her running had niggled its way into my brain. I moved from aerobics in front of the TV to running in place. Then one nice day at the end of May, I stepped outside and started running for real. Wow, running for real is a LOT different than running in place, in case you ever wondered!

I found a quiet place to run and measured off a half-mile loop. At first I jogged a little and walked a little - alternating using the songs on my MP3 player as a guide. (Mostly the soundtrack from High School Musical 3. I know, I know....) I think I began with 3 loops, plus the distance back and forth to my home. After a few weeks, I was running two songs and walking for one. I kept increasing the time jogged, and alternating with walking.

Running two days in a row proved to be more stress than my muscles and joints could take, so currently I jog three days a week. Another friend told me about a local kickboxing class that only costs $1, so I've started going to that two days a week. (If you're local and interested, let me know and I'll give you the details.)

Yes, it's true - Lisa working out FIVE days a week. Who'd have thunk it?

A couple weeks ago, I marked the milestone of running an entire mile without stopping, just about two months after I first ran outside. I am amazed I can do it, thought Jennifer had told me I could! (And now she tells me that she TOLD ME SO. lol) I was logging just about 3 miles in a workout (the distance of a 5K) - alternating jogging half miles and walking quarter miles.

However, last week I realized that my hips were really feeling the strain of so much exercise increased over such a short period of time, so I took four days off to let my joints recover. They felt better after the rest, so Tuesday I did a mile of jogging/walking and today I did the kickboxing class. I'll continue to take it easy this week and next, but I have high hopes that I will be able to resume my 5K training within the next couple weeks.

My goal is to run a 5K without stopping, and once I can do that, I'll find one to run and I won't look back!

Oh, and the health benefits? Those are great - I have more energy and less desire to nosh on unhealthy foods. I've lost 27 lbs, 4 inches off my waist and off my hips, and have gone down two sizes in jeans.

Now, you may be saying, like I did, "Well, that's all fine and good, for HER. But that won't work for me. I'm too busy, too old, too fat, too big-busted, too tired, [insert excuse here]." However, I am telling you - if *I* can do this, YOU CAN DO IT TOO. Really. I had every excuse in the book for years and years. Start small and keep going. You won't be sorry!

And to pull it all together with our home learning perspective, I am hoping to get the kids into running as well. When it was a novelty, Suzy and James each took turns going with me in the mornings. When they realized it was EXERCISE, they decided not to go along. However, I plan to schedule each of them in at least once a week, and Emily too, though she is resistant to the idea. David has been jogging a couple times on his own, as training for his soccer team. So there you go - my kids are learning to have an active lifestyle and so am I!