Drea Wood

Category Archives: caleb

Not pushing it

Written on 03/03/2012 by Dreawood in caleb, Taite

A couple months ago we found out about a local youth track club through Caleb’s Sunday School Teacher. It sounded right up Caleb’s ally… since he loves to run… and so we looked into it. The cost though was way beyond our means… esp. with the “no job” situation still lingering (hoping it comes to an end soon… and hopefully will have an update in a month or so) – I decided though why not write and try to seek sponsorship. Tell them our story… the situation… a little about our kids… and who knows, we may can get a discount or in free.

To our surprise the youth club wanted to sponsor not just Caleb but also Taite. We were excited for them to have this opportunity… but also realized this sort of thing was a lot to commit to… It wasnt a once a week thing the kids went to. It was a 3 day a week sort of sport… and would be a lot of work not only on their part, but ours.

We went forward though hoping for the best…

And sadly after just 1 practice our boys were not loving it.
Although to our surprise they sure kept up!! There were some kids way bigger than them lagging behind – and they both kept up with the best of them. So I was impressed with their stamina going into this. :)

The weather however was horrible.

Rainy…

Cold… Freezing more like it.

That added to the discomfort… but also the way they grouped the kids from ages 6 (Taite was actually one of the youngest, not even 6) – to middle schoolers – I think it was just a bit overwhelming for the boys.

They were running laps with kids way bigger than them…
A lot of the older kids were talking during instruction time – and goofing off… making it almost impossible for the short little kids in the mix to even hear. The number of kids was around 100 or so total… it was a lot.

Having to do drills they really did not understand – and with the way the setting was organized, it was hard for coaches to really do hands on work with the smaller ones.

If I had to give any input at all to the track club… it would be to put the younger kids in a group and the older ones in a group… making it a little easier for them understand. A bit more hands on I suppose.

That being said.

I wouldn’t mind them trying one more practice… but we aren’t pushing it.

We have always been the type to let the kids decide in regards to sports.

Neither my husband or myself were really that into sports. Travis did run track in high school… but nothing to extreme… We both believe fitness is so important… Travis is an avid runner (barefoot even – I need to write a post on his new love for that soon) – but sports is something entirely different than fitness. I think its something parents either really have to push… or a kid really loves and wants to do.

I personally would much rather spend my afternoons allowing the boys to play freely in the yard or street on their own… than forcing them to do a sport they really did not want to do.

Some may call that quitting :)

Either way. Im thankful for the door being opened for them to try this… but also thankful for just having time with the boys… and not stressing over making it to meets or practices for months. I am actually in a big way revealed we wont have that on our plate…

With a lot of things coming up on the agenda… big changes hopefully will be taking place… an entirely different routine….etc..etc… it may be a blessing it didn’t work out. When I originally thought about doing this – none of these plans were in motion… so it has all fallen on our family really suddenly… which is fine… but it makes some other things seem a lot less “needed.”

So here’s to being flexible.

Thankful for those who do give generously.
We really are so thankful for that track club. They did not have to take our boys on like they have… they are generous and I know in the future will be able to bless others.

Praise for brothers who have each other.

& a husband who shares my same thoughts on this subject :) – we make a good team.

On a side note. Caleb’s shoes I got for $8.00 at a thrift sale yesterday at our church! They barely looked used and are a name brand shoe. He was so excited and wont take them off :) – the shoes unfortunately I got for Taite were to big. So those await usage in his closet ;-)

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Get out of the water

Written on 02/27/2012 by Dreawood in caleb, Owen, Taite

We love a lot of things about the location we now live… After living in a smaller town for the past 4 years, and before that an evening smaller town in Bellevue Ohio… to now live in a city close to Atlanta, is different, yet really nice. We are in the perfect spot to enjoy city life, without the hassle of crazy traffic… yet far enough away, to feel as if we are still in a smaller town. Not sure if that makes sense, but we really do love the town we live in.

One thing that we also really like is the amount of nice play grounds around. Our church has one of the nicest by far we have ever seen… but also, there is a park not to far from it, that my boys call the Duck Pond.

Its amazing.

With lots of wood planked path ways that our kids “race” on, pretending they are in Italy. Even little Owen races.

It is called the Duck Pond though because of the Ducks in the Pond behind the play ground :) – very friendly, well I guess “not shy” ducks, who come right up to you wanting food.

This photo below looks as if Caleb is trying to KICK the Goose. He was running towards it ;-)
- but not kicking. Just looks that way. Or wait… maybe he was kicking? must of been the mean goose.

Owen trying to run from me

We had no bread to feed them but I brought an old bag of Corn Flakes that had gone stale. The ducks ate them up :) – while feeding the ducks though, and at one point enjoying a nice sit on a bench nearby… we all of a sudden hear Owen cry. We look towards the cry, sure enough he is about 4 inches deep into the pond, clothes, shoes and all… Just standing there as if he has no clue how he got there.

We found humor in it, but afterwards did have to leave… since it was so cold out.

I look forward to spring when baby ducklings are born :) – that is going to be so fun to see. This goose however, we wouldn’t mind leaving ;-) – he was mean as a snake! We think he was territorial. This one goose kept trying to get near “his girl” – and any time he’d come remotely close to her, he’d go crazy chasing the other goose…. and when you’d get near him he’d hiss at you. Scary. I happen to snag a picture of him hissing.

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100th day of school Hunt

Written on 02/25/2012 by Dreawood in caleb, home school, Owen, Taite

We have set a tradition I think in our home. Last year for the 100th day of school, I helped the boys celebrate, by doing a treasure hunt with them. I guess that is what you’d call it. Its something I have memories of from my childhood. You would be given clues, and the clues would lead you to other clues… and eventually a prize. My mom I remember would set these up every now and then when we’d get home from school – my brother and I loved it.

Last year was harder to set up than this year. I remember having a hard time finding “words” Caleb could read well – since he was in Kindergarten… yet being able to make sentences up that would actually make sense to lead them to something else.

This year with Calebs amazing vocab – writing clues was much easier :) – Travis told me “they were way to easy” though, so next year I plan to add in a few harder aspects.

That being said, it was a hit.

My boys have memories of last years hunt – and so to know that day 100 was this week, they were so excited.

We are very proud of our boys learning so well.
Here are a few instagrams I snagged throughout the past few days of them schooling.

Do any of you have any fun things you do for day 100? Got any fun treasure hunt ideas? :) do share!

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Kid-Stocking it

Written on 02/24/2012 by Dreawood in caleb, friends, Owen, Taite

Some of you may of seen the post earlier today. Of Owen’s interesting spot choice to lay.

Well, he wasn’t really just laying.

He was in the midst of an Owie Tantrum.

As you can see from the photo to the right, he was just letting his emotions loose, right there in the middle of a VERY BUSY walkway at the park.

He has been doing this for a while now, but it has increased in frequency lately. I honestly think its because he is trying so hard to communicate, yet is not a talker (just like his older brother was at this age)… so he gets frustrated.

I have no clue why he threw this particular tantrum… but what I am thankful for, is how quickly and quietly he does them. He simply falls to the ground, covers his face like you see… and lets out a little cry. It last just seconds. Then he gets up and goes about his way.

I haven’t disciplined for it… Some parents do for this sort of thing… but I don’t really feel the need yet.

Now if he was kicking or screaming, maybe. I really just think he needs time to process his frustration. Just like us adults sometimes need :)

Despite the few moments he felt the need to sit or lay – in odd places… we had a wonderful time enjoying the 75 degree weather here in GA, at our church playground. It was nice to get out, let the kids play with friends & breathe in that fresh air.

Love Taites expression in this next one :)

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Not a typical Feb

Written on 02/23/2012 by Dreawood in caleb, Owen, Taite

The weather from what I have heard, has been warm this year in GA. Last year they had lots of snow! I must say, despite not seeing snow this year… (I was secretly hoping for at least one snow day) it has however been nice being able to go outside without a jacket :)

Or even going out in Jammies :)

Hope those getting the warm weather are enjoying the blue sky days as well.

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