For the past 3 (going on 4) years our winter has revolved around Cam’s rep hockey schedule. It can be frustrating for me because Sean coaches, which leaves me in the stands with a boy who has no interest in watching the game nor does he want to stay anywhere in the arena where I can watch. Also there is the 3 yr old girl who doesn’t know how to stay within a 10-20 foot radius of me in the arena.
This poses a problem since I have major anxiety issues around losing one of my kids ever since we lost Cuyler in a big arena a few years back. It was bad.
The past year has been met with several milestones including Cuyler successfully taking swimming lessons and making huge progress in the water.
It was nice that he had something for himself. That he could look forward to. And most importantly – he enjoyed.
I have been trying to find something else that he might enjoy as much as swimming to expand his horizons but I’m wary because it takes a certain type of person to be able to connect with, interact with and engage Cuy.
Plus his interests lately are limited to Toy Story 3, Buzz Lightyear and Sheriff Woody.
A friend of mine is a gymnastics coach who had been working in the city just outside our town in a great gymnastics facility. She let me know last spring that she’d be opening her own gym.
PERFECT.
Movement. Jumping. Using his body. He loves all of that. If you had read this entry – you’d have already known that.
What makes this ideal and would set her apart (for me) from the other gym in town is that my friend has a child with aspergers.
She knows the disorder. She knows how to communicate. She knows why Cuyler does the quirky things he does and she goes with it.
And to make it even more perfect is the fact that she has a class for Cuyler on Thursdays from 5 to 6pm. AND a class for Eva from 5:15pm – 6pm on Thursdays.
Cam has hockey during this time (as well as 3 – 4 other days of the week).
I took them to a trial class this past Thursday so Cuyler could see the facility, the equipment and get an idea of how the class would be run.
I was a little taken aback at how much he wandered and took off from his coach. It was frustrating, but I think that it was just his impulsive instinct to explore the new environment and all that it has to offer him. I’m hoping once the newness wears off he’ll be able to focus more.
I am thrilled that I have found a place for him to increase his physical activity level, learn new skills and maybe even make new friends.
I am equally thrilled that I am 100% comfortable with the staff at the gym and feel like this a good fit for him.
Judging by how much they enjoyed the trial class, I think it’s gonna be good.
Cam is a little ticked that he doesn’t get to take classes.
I gave him the choice – hockey or gymnastics?
He chose hockey which is a very good thing because our cheque$ have already been ca$hed for that (and it ain’t cheap).
What activities do your kids do?
Hockey? Swimming? Gymnastics? Figure skating? Dance?
This is the kind of blog I would like to have.
This sounds great. Glad to hear it all worked out!
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that’s AWESOME Christine!! Scotty does trampoline and loved it. Perfect to have people who understand…and that Eva can get involved too!
I’m forcing Ryder and River into football. You heard it – FORCING. I need to live through them as my tired legs can’t manage it. Yes – it’s wrong, I know…
I never grew up in a hockey family, and I don’t really watch much “Leaf TV”, and for now anyways – Ryder doesn’t have much interest in hockey (and I think I’m OK with that). It all seems like so much work and stress!!! But then again, I bet soccer will be the same (for me).
Dad and Tot Soccer in two weeks!!! Mini-Chefs (with Maggie) in three! – River’ is still a tad small to participate.
I have two girls, neither of which has gotten into hockey, so we dodged that bullet!
Maddy does ballet and gymnastics. Charlotte does drama and will be starting trampoline this year. She also wants to do clarinet but I’m reluctant to buy her an instrument because she only stuck with piano lessons for 2 years so we may try that after Christmas and just do a short-term rental on the clarinet. And then I have yoga on Tuesday evenings.
Anything more than 2-3 days per week and I find we are too busy!
I’m so glad that the timing works for you guys to have Eva and Cuy in classes with Jenn. She’s the perfect coach for Cuy!
This so gives me hope that we can find something like this, someplace like this, for Billy.
It looks awesome, and they look like they are having a blast.
🙂