Karate Kid

Andrew started taking Karate lessons. He's been asking about it for quite some time, and we finally stopped being lazy and signed him up. I think he was envisioning lots of kicking, punching, and epic good guy versus bad guy tests of strength. 

In reality, it's more about discipline and "yes, ma'm, no sir." So I think it's great! And Andrew is happy too. There are a lot of rules which he still needs to learn, but he gets better and better with each class. One of the ideas they teach is that you need to listen with your eyes and your ears - a great concept that we have begun to apply outside of the classroom too.

Andrew is hanging out in the back, trying to pick up the moves. The class is a good mix - some kids are more advanced, and some are younger, and well,... less disciplined, which provides for great entertainment!

No patches yet, but we are working on it!

 On a cold, sunny day, we went down to the river, to get ready for spring sports, like T-ball. A good idea in theory, but it was really too cold. We didn't last long outside and had to head over to Movie & Pizza Company for dinner. When Taylor and I lived downtown, we ate there a lot and it's nice to go back sometimes. Even though it was too cold to sit outside, the pizza was good and the atmosphere was perfect for two less-than-quiet children.

We warmed up at home with a fire.

Noah is into reading books lately. He's not into other important things, like eating or taking naps! Hopefully this stubbornness is just a phase. But I hope the interest in books stays around.

 A random walk to the park. Someone is trying to keep up with the big boys. He can move pretty fast too. And he doesn't fall much anymore either. Andrew, on the other hand, spends more time on the ground than he does standing upright. A lot of this is self-imposed...battling an imaginary bad guy, fighting an imaginary fire, leaping buildings in a single bound, that kind of stuff. He's got a great imagination. But he trips a lot! The thresholds in our house will be his undoing, I know it. They are his kriptonite.

So far, Andrew displays selective athletic ability - he's good at some sports, like golf. The bike riding needs major work. He can't get the pedals figured out. But he's not motivated to ride very often, so I think it's a matter of practice.  In general, he likes to play outside, which makes me happy.

And also puzzles. He LOVES puzzles.

 Borrowing my sweater to work on his puzzles!

Someone is turning five this week. And he's super-excited!