Swimming and Kicking

The boys had another round of swimming lessons the past couple weeks. Just like last year their teachers gave them the option to jump off the diving board into the deep end of the big pool as a reward for working so hard in their class. Last year, both the boys were scared but Logan toughed up and jumped in (and decided he *loved* it). Declan couldn't talk himself into it. This year, Logan had no fear but Declan was still a bit afraid. Coincidentally, one of the focuses in their martial arts class this month has been on courage. So I suggested that maybe Declan could find some courage to do something he was afraid of and a moment later, he got that determined face and said, "I'LL DO IT!" And he did. He loved it, just like Logan. They both felt so proud of themselves when it was all said and done.

Our martial arts classes are coming along pretty well. The boys constantly impress me with how well they pick up the information and perform what's asked of them. They both want to be black belt students, so Chris and I have set forth some goals for them to achieve before we sign them up for that. In the meantime, we're working on belt advancement. Every three months the school does belt testing to move up to the next rank, and next week will be our first belt tests since we started our classes. The kids are required to know and do various types of kicks and punches, making sure while doing them that they're in a proper stance and moving and breathing correctly. (Us adults have to know the same things, plus self-protection stuff as well.) Last week Mr. Cohen, our instructor, was reviewing side kicks with the kids and I got a couple of pictures of that. As soon as the boys get some muscle behind their combatives, they're going to be pretty dang tough.

Summer has been moving along nicely. Wednesday we leave on a trip to Texas for a few days, then we'll come back, do our belt testing on Monday, and the boys will be off to visit their Rhode Island family for a month on Tuesday. They're looking forward to spending time with their dad, grandparents, and other relatives out there.