World Cup Fever

Yesterday, I discovered that "Watch ESPN" was a Roku channel, on which we could watch the games of the World Cup. Today, the children caught World Cup Fever.

Blaze and I watched the game between Columbia and Greece, until just after Kitsu arrived.

Kitsu loves Pocoyo and Pocoyo.com has all kinds of World Cup related printables. This game was a big hit with her, although I'm not sure they ever figured out the rules:





This afternoon, they went to play soccer in the park.

Homeschool Field Day

Yesterday, the Tallahassee Homeschool Group had their annual Field Day (the first we have attended).



It was also group picture day.

Here are the 10-12 year olds:





and the full group:



Children were divided up into age groups for each event and there were ribbons for the winners.













Even the parents were given a chance to compete:





Blaze was reluctant to try any of the races.

He's still self-conscious about the CP causing him to not be as fast as the other children, although I explained to him that no one is graceful in a wheelbarrow race or a three legged race. It's not the winners I will remember from these races. It's the children who were falling all over each other, but laughing and trying again.





He did join in the tug-o-war, though, and was very excited when his team won.









The Lofty Pursuits ice cream bus was also at the park.

Baseball Season Has Begun

Dogwood trees and redbuds are in bloom, and it is time for spring baseball to begin. Thursday was the first evening practice, and this morning was the first real game for Noah's Endeavor.

It was a bit chilly this morning, but the kids all had fun.

















I really enjoy watching these games, because children of all abilities play together without any pressure. They all help and encourage each other.

Soccer Season Begins

Last night's Top Soccer practice began the new fall season. With temperatures hovering right around 100 degrees F. it certainly didn't feel like autumn, but the kids had fun anyway. They just took frequent water breaks.

The Last Day of Aquabilities

Today was the last day of the morning swim lessons, although training for Special Olympics will continue a couple times a week.
It's been so much fun all summer, for me to socialize with the other parents and nannies at the pool, and for Blaze to make new friends and get lots of exercise. He has gained so much confidence this summer, along with a wicked tan ( he didn't get that from me, I only burn, never tan).

Here are some scenes from the past two days:



The lifeguard at Mickle Pool had a clever way to get Blaze to practice diving under water. He had a set of water-proof cards that they used to play "Go Fish". He set the deck on the floor of the pool, so that if you had to "go fish", you had to dive to the bottom to draw a card.



This morning, channel 20 news sent out a reporter to learn about the program and film the children.



There is safety in numbers. Blaze said he was scared to talk to the reporter, but once his friends volunteered to stand next to him, all of his shyness disappeared.







At the end of the swimming session, all the children received certificates of completion.



Blaze was also given the trophy he was supposed to have received at the end of the baseball season ( we had missed the end of the season picnic).



Here is a link to the Channel 20 News story:

http://www.wcjb.com/news/7332/father-honors-sons-memory-by-helping-kids-swim

More Summer Fun

It's the end of week 6 of summer swimming lessons, only two more weeks left. This summer is going by so quickly, but we've been having so much fun.





This week's new accomplishment at the pool, was Blaze being able to swim under the half-wall that separates the diving area from the deep end swimming lanes. Last week he could only go that deep with help (his instructor would place a hand on his back and guide him under). Yesterday, he did it for the first time by himself.