summer fun with the cousins

This summer we took my nephews, Isaiah and Gabriel, to the water park in Greensboro with us, and it was such a blast. The weather was perfect, the crowds weren't bad at all, and with the kids being the ages they are we were able to stay pretty much the whole day. It was funny to watch Gabe grow braver as the day progressed, going from barely letting the waves reach him in the wave pool to pointing at the biggest ride saying, "I want to go on THAT!"

Teenagers must re-fuel or they will die, or become very grouchy (which is bad enough!).

Before school started back we had a sleepover with Kit and Justin's three boys, Luke stayed all night! It was so much fun, and it got us even more excited about our upcoming beach trip together.

I don't guess anyone will report me for this picture, but bathtub pictures are the best. Gabe and Luke look like twins in this picture!

I don't know if you can tell by this picture, but Zach is in heaven...

Of course, we went to Purple Penguin...

fall soccer, 2011

Nathan is playing soccer for his third season, and has become an aggressive player. This top picture of him is an illustration of the success of his tendon release surgery he had when he was five, because I used to not be able to flex his feet to a 90 degree angle! When he played soccer when he was four, he kept running out of his cleats and tripping, so it's awesome to see him out there, now. Strangely, he will still complain of his heels hurting (the bottom) when he's done a lot of running, like they're still not as conditioned as they should be. He loves it, though, and this season he and Mychael are playing on a team together. It backfired at first, because Nathan saw it as Mychael invading his "turf," but I think he was concerned that Mychael would "steal his glory," as he put it! For the longest time, Nathan seemed to idolize Mychael, to the point that when we'd go to the pediatrician and the doctor would ask Nathan questions about himself, he'd talk about what his "big brother, Mychael" could do the whole time. As he's gotten older, however, there's been a natural brotherly tension that's developed, and Nathan's unique personality has emerged more and more every year. Soccer is definitely Nathan's thing, and while Mychael says he's having fun playing, he'd rather just stick to karate.

Camp Budo 2011

This was our third year participating in Camp Budo at our dojo, and as in the past, it was excellent. It's funny, but I always feel both discouraged and encouraged at the same time: discouraged because I see how far I have to go, and I get frustrated with myself for being a slow learner; encouraged because I look at some of the instructors that are in their late 70's and see what good shape they are in, and see the benefits of a lifetime of training in martial arts. What a contrast to some of the elderly people I see when delivering Meals on Wheels...although I do recognize that every situation is different. Still, when a man in his seventies can put his foot on top of his head...

Zach got the Student Spirit award this year (he called it the "Spiritual" award, which Sensei and I both got a huge kick out of, no pun intended), because as young as he is and as hot as it was, he hung in there the whole time. It takes a lot of discipline to stay with and progress in martial arts, and Zach has demonstrated not only the discipline to stick with it, but he's got natural ability, as well. I'm glad, because he's one of the reasons I pursued karate for my kids in the first place, when I was looking for a year-round activity that would give them exercise. I believe it is a discipline that benefits the body and mind, and I want my kids to have those benefits...especially Zach, since exercise plays such a huge role in staying healthy as a diabetic (I would go so far as to say it's crucial). We are blessed with the sensei that we have, Master Danny Glover. He has such a gift for teaching, and is incredibly patient and intuitive with his students.

Mychael has really enjoyed training, and is going to be a very strong black belt (I would guess within the year). I think he enjoys the discipline, it's never had to be about fun and games for him. Jordan is the newest family member to join, and she has such excellent balance and flexibility from her two years of ballet (which she's continuing this year at a different studio). As a result of her joining, her friend Clara Kate, as well as her mother, decided to sign up. It's great to see our dojo full of dedicated students, especially after it just being my family and one or two other students for the past few years. Membership increased by more than 50% just this summer!

I continue to train and feel the benefits for myself, physically and mentally. The pesky arthritis symptoms I'd started to have are gone as long as I work out two days a week, and it's such a nice mental break, as well. The amount of focus you have to have working on kata doesn't allow you to be preoccupied with anything, so in a way, it's like meditation. Mychael and I have noticed that it seems like on the nights that we really don't feel like going we leave feeling the best, which shows me that it's something we need to be doing. Plus, I've told the boys that it's good to be disciplined about going because one day they may not feel like going to school, or work, but if they are disciplined they go, anyway. Then everybody benefits.

blast from the past

summer 2011-fun at Durham Bull game

Every summer Jon's employer gives us tickets to a Durham Bulls game, reserving a party deck where there's food and face painting for the kids. Jordan was covered in tattoes by the end of the game! Jon got a picture of Nathan on his camera, but he had a mustache and goatee...

summer 2011-baseball

My little slugger...Zach played his first season of baseball since he was four (t-ball), and the boy is a natural. He truly loves the game, and was an awesome third baseman, not to mention solid hitter. He was the co-MVP with another player, and the coach said the main reason was because he was always listening and paying attention to the coach. I'm just glad he is a natural athlete, I know it will help him to manage his diabetes and keep him healthy. Not only that, but I thoroughly enjoy getting out in the yard with the kids, playing catch and taking turns at bat, I miss my softball days!

summer-slip and slide