A chip off the old block

Sal has been begging me to sign him up for gymnastics for the better part of a year now. He has attended kindergym classes at a local gym, and has also tried a parks and rec class, but neither one fit his criteria of " real gymnastics for boys only". After mulling it over and stomaching the fact that everything costs a shitload of money these days, I researched our local gymnastics centers and finally narrowed it down to one in particular who has had many gymnasts reach the collegiate level. In a sport like gymnastics, so many kids burnout or get injured from improper coaching and technique. the fact that a gym has so many boys reaching high school still involved in the sport speaks volumes to me about the level of coaching and safety taken into account within their training.

We started last Saturday with a class that met all of Sal's prerequisites. A BOYS ONLY "real" gymnastics class. He stretched, pushup'd, rope climbed and learned the all to familiar men's gymnastics "stick" position after landings. His coach was surprised he has never had any formal gymnastics training, and asked Sal how he knew how to do some of the skills already. Sal replied, " because I have my mom's pants. [genes]". I about died when his coach shared that with me . He came home later that afternoon and practiced his "sticks" on our trampoline and tried teaching Carla how to do it too.

the rope climb warm up

We had the opportunity to "make up" two classes that he "missed" because we signed up mid month, so he went twice this week and had a different coach. His first make up class he was the only child and had a chance for some one on one coaching and lots of time jumping into the foam pit, which he loved. Midway through class, during a water break, the coach approached me and asked where we saw Sal going with gymnastics. I didn't understand what she was getting at until she then said that she felt  he may be a great addition to the club's boys developmental team. She says he shows lots of potential and awesome body awareness. That made my heart swell with pride.

In the next few weeks/classes, we will learn more about what his joining the developmental team will entail. The team is currently in competition season, so he likely won't have a spot until after season ( end of May), which is okay by me. He says he wants to do it. He says he wants to be on tv someday ( didn't we all when we were young?). We will support our kids in whatever activity they choose to do, so long as they are enjoying the challenge of the activity. It won't always be 'fun", but if they enjoy the challenge, we are behind them 100%.

So, here's to Sal and chalk covered callused hands!

Babies no more

You guys.

For the first time in six years, we don't have any babies in our house.

No more babies! This is 2, 3 & 5!

Gino is on the cusp of two, and I'm asking myself, "When on Earth did that happen?" and, " Was I there?"

It's a little surreal.

I can't even remember the last time I stepped foot in Babies R Us. That place was like my second home for a while after we moved back to the states. We were constantly buying formula, diapers, carriers, jumpers, sippy cups, bottles, mess mats, carseats upon carseats an well, you get the picture.
A lone high chair and a boppy pillow that he lounges on are the last standing evidence of anything baby around here. The bottles and teething toys, push walkers and bottles of puffs are all gone. Long gone.

With his favorite piece of comfort. The Thumb.

As we enter what's commonly known as the "terrible twos" with Gino, I'm buckling up and holding on tight, cause I'm pretty sure he's going to take us for one heck of a ride. While he still enjoys snuggling and laying claim on his mama's lap, he is also VERY opinionated and stubborn. Maybe it's a third child thing, but this boy knows how to assert himself with some pretty solid moves. He's learning about time outs on a daily basis, and my mantra is '"Stay consistent. It WILL pay off.", even if I have trouble believing it in the moment.

Carla consoling G in our time out corner

While much of my day is spent policing kids over toy sharing and smack downs over the last Cheezits or yogurt pouch, my favorite part of the day is watching Gino run to the door when we hear Nick roll up the driveway. He's almost always the first to greet his dad with a great big "DAAAAAAAAAD!" said with such enthusiasm and pure happiness.

Dad's home!

Some of Gino's favorite activities as of late have been trampoline jumping, jumping off furniture, crib climbing and water play. Since he mastered the climb very early in life ( he learned to scale our eleven foot retaining wall at 15 months old), he thinks nothing of climbing our kitchen counter to play with the sink faucet. He recently discovered that the nozzle come off and turns into a sprayer hose. I may or may not have ended up drenched more than once as I ran to turn the faucet off a time or two. I'm sure it will happen a few more times before his infatuation with water faucets comes to an end.

While I will miss having a baby around the house, I am excited for what the future holds for this family of ours. As the kids get older, a lot of the stuff we like to do will become a whole lot easier. Before long, nap times will be a past time, and we will be able to plan outings that go all day without fear of overtired meltdowns. We will be able to take trips and not require a pack and play or stroller. I'll be able to sign all of the kids up for activities, and nobody will be left on the sidelines simply because they are too young.

This is all good stuff.

Really, really GOOD stuff...

Welcome to TWO Gino Mario!