Gymnastics, Water, and Spy Birthdays

So, what have we been doing? Well, playing with the digital camera is always involved.


Ethan just finished up his Spring gymnastics session. He has been pre-team since January and is ready to move up to team in the Fall. The problem with this is that the boys who are in his class and who would be his teammates aren't very nice to him. They tease him about having long hair and being home schooled. He mentioned it on and off over the time he's been at this gym, but when I asked him if he wanted to stop going he always said no. Finally a few weeks ago, he started to cry on the way to gymnastics. He said he just didn't want to go. We pulled over and said that was fine. He said he couldn't take the teasing anymore and that there was no one at the gym he liked. We asked about his coach and he told us that he thought the coach was rude and unsympathetic if one of the boys was tired or sore or hurt. We asked him if he still wanted to do gymnastics if we found him a new gym. He said absolutely. We told him how proud we are of him for telling us what was going on and for just being him.

We've since found him a new gym a little further away from the house. He started there today and loves it. The coaches there don't tolerate any name calling or teasing. If it happens, a warning is issued, and ultimately, if it doesn't stop, than the person isn't allowed to attend the gym anymore. Ethan is on the team at his new gym and he was laughing and smling and talking with the other boys during practice yesterday. I never saw him engage with the boys at the previous gym, so this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Other than gymnastics, water has been a theme over the past few weeks. Even if we spend the day at the house, water is involved.

Once a week we go up to Petersen Park in Wolcott to hang out with a group of very cool home schoolers. The park is really neat. It has a small waterfall.
I had never walked up to it even though I'd been going there for weeks. Ethan and Ryan had walked up there with other mommies and kids. They said that in addition to the waterfall, there was a swimming hole. When I walked up there, I was surprised at the rocks and roots in the path. I thought it would be a level flat path like the other ones in the park. It was only about half a mile to the waterfall, but it was a little difficult in some spots. Peg had never walked to the waterfall either. She isn't very sure-footed, so it was great fun walking up there with her and seeing how happy she was to finally get there.

I love how her daughters are looking admiringly at her.

Ethan and Ryan said the water was cold, really cold, but that didn't stop them from going in.

Nikki opted to look at the water instead of going into it.
Along with the waterfall and the swimming hole there is an interesting tree. Piper just fits in it.

We went on a boat ride around the Thimble Islands. It was organized by and for homeschoolers. Ryan and Ethan enjoyed it a lot.

The islands have some amazing houses on them. This one is Cut-In-Two Island.
It was cut into two parts by the 1938 hurricane. Now it joined by a foot bridge.

We've also gone to Lighthouse Point. The water there was too cold for me, but, once again, nothing keeps Ethan and Ryan out of the water.
It helps that a dry towel awaits them when their teeth start to chatter.

Finally, we celebrated Ryan's actual natal day. He wanted to get his family presents the night before his birthday. Who could say no to a birthday eve? He got a lot of spy gear. No surprise there.
All the gear came in a briefcase (a brand new real leather briefcase we got at the thrift store for a dollar) along with the following note:

Important Memo From Spy Headquarters

Super Spy Guy Ryan
Agent Number 12345
25 June 2008

It has come to our attention that you are about to turn 5 years old. You have hereby been promoted to Super Spy. Be careful! Super Spies need to be even sneakier than regular spies.

We have entrusted this case to your mommies. In it you will find several important tools that you will use to be a better spy. Do Not let these items fall into enemy hands. More Super Spy tools will be sent to you next month. Our lab is still testing them.

Happy Birthday and Good Luck!

Highest Chief Super Agent Spy

Oddly, he didn't find the note as amusing as Jeanne, Esther, and I found it. Ah well. He is only 5.