Soccer Games

Isaak played soccer in the spring, and now in the fall. He really is enjoying soccer. His coach really lets him work the field.

They had a double game last week. They won their first game, played hard on the second, but didn't win.

Crazy thing: 

Isaak has a whole drawer full of workout clothes. What does he wear? 

The same thing every time.

The best thing...kids are nice on his team!

The basketball team he was on was just not his fit. It has been that way, for awhile. He loves the sport, but not the team he was on. There was a kid that wouldn't give the other team high fives when they lost, he'd slam the floor when he the other team was making free throws, he'd push up against players, and more. Things like that just make Isaak pissed, and nothing was being done about it.

We found out when Isaak played at school, he was one of the top players. As opposed to his select team he wasn't even passed the ball. He doesn't need that negativity in his life.

He's not the BEST player at either soccer or basketball, but he's a good asset to both sports.

We signed him up, for basketball at the Y next to keep his skills in check.

At school he has intramural sports. Right now it's volleyball. Isaak and his carpool didn't really have the interest. When basketball starts they plan to play.

Travis makes Mica go to all Isaak's games. I don't even know why. Mica sits there and reads or listens to the music. He never knows the score. Travis says he has to go to be supportive. He's not supportive at all. Just like Isaak's not supportive to Mica's Quiz Bowl. He has no interest in that either.

Last week I was tickling Mica, and Mica was poking me in the arm. Being on Aspirin, all those pokes turn into bruises.

Travis said, "Let's trade spots. I'm getting sick of you two." We traded.

Then the two boys battled with empty Gatorade bottles. Mica's chair was knocked to the ground. Travis wonders why our "cheap" chairs break. Humm...I wonder.

When you were a kid, did you go to your bother or sister's sporting events, concerts and so on for support? 

Last Call for Basketball

Isaak just finished his last basketball ball practice last weekend. He really loves the game, so I think we'll sign him up for the next class up.

Here he is practicing a lay up.

Travis got 4 tickets to see a college level basketball game at Creighton. I said, "Instead of us all going, why don't you ask if Elijah and Tyson can go with you and Isaak?" Elijah is my nephew that's Isaak's age. He loves basketball! I knew Tyson my Brother-in-law would like to go to.

They went, and had a lot of fun! Creighton lost, but it was still fun for them.

Isaak is ready to play real games he tells me. The class he was in was to learn what basketball is all about.

Are your kids into any sports? 

WW: Isaak Started Jiu-Jitsu {Linky}

We were hesitant to put Isaak in Jiu-Jitsu. Not because we thought he'd do bad. He's just the type of kid that likes to wrestle; when the time is not always right. He's a spunky boy and also a Mommy's boy. He's our sweet and sour kid. We told him that when he was done with Kindergarten he could start. He was so excited!

I was so busy making sure he was smiling that I didn't see that his pants weren't straight.

Here's a brother shot. These two are getting along so much better this summer compared to last summer.

Warm Ups

Sweet and Sour Proof

 He already learned how to get out of an arm hold. He's been practicing this on me when I go to hold his hand.

While Mica was in his lesson Isaak wrote in a workbook. He had to write down where all the animals live. I looked over and he had that rabbits live in hell. He was trying to spell hole. It was pretty funny.

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2 Strokes Forward, 1 Stroke Back

If you've been reading this blog for awhile now, you may know that my boys swim at the Y. We've had ups and downs with swimming lessons in regards to Isaak. Mica's a little older, so he does a non competitive swim team, where they focus on personal speed and stroke skill.

It took me many lessons to convince the head lady that Isaak swims better than where they had him placed. Because of his age, she wouldn't let him move him up. He would have to be in the same lesson for 10, or more times. I thought he'd get bored.

I'm all about challenging my kids if they are doing well. I don't want to push them too much, and have them over whelmed. 

The head lady decided to give the ok for Isaak to move up. The trouble was, is that they moved WAY up, and those kids were doing things that he never learned. He was with 10 year olds, and Isaak's only 5. The next time they bumped him two notches down with kids that are about 7 and 8, and he was still slow, but comfortable. He was challenged, learning, and getting better.

His coach talked with me and said, "Isaak really could move up a notch. He's got the techniques down. His only problem is speed. You see Isaak likes the water so much that he wants to stay in it. He doesn't want to go fast because he knows he'll have to get out of the water." 

We bumped Isaak up. I was excited because finally Mica and Isaak were swimming at the same time.

He got in that new swimming group. Most kids in that group are age 9 and 10 again. Here's little Isaak, age 5. His little body gets how to swim, but he can't keep up with the older kids. He was beat at the end of his lesson. There was a big difference from his last lesson to the this one.

I asked Isaak, "Honey which lesson would you like to be in?" I named the coaches to assist in his decision making. I then said, "I want you to feel comfortable with where you are at."

He wanted to go back down a notch with the 7 and 8 year olds. He started last night, and his confidence seemed great! He's been on such a roller coaster ride with swimming lessons.

His coach said, "So I have you again Isaak." 

I said, "Ya speed wise he can't keep up with the group above this one." 

His coach said, "I know you don't want to leave the water Isaak. That's good I guess. Sometimes we have to move things along." 

I said, "Do you realize that Isaak's only 5? He'll be 6 soon. I just think his little body isn't ready to go fast." 

His coach said, "I didn't know he was that young! He's not even supposed to be in this class until he's 6. Oh well. Isaak does fine with it." 

He thought Isaak was 7. 

I said, "Well that's the size of clothes he fits in, but he's only going to be 6 on May 19th." 

He said, "Oh ok."

My biggest thing with sports of any kind is that I want my kids to feel happy, and comfortable about doing them. Sure I want the coaches to push them when needed. I don't want them to get discouraged though. They may start hating what they first loved.

The Y

So I'm pretty sure Mica got his Ring Worm from the Y. In Jiu-jitsu they have sparring on the mats. My coworker had sons that wrestled. They got Ring Worm often. Really...how often do you think they clean their mats? My guess is never. I think it's common for all places to hardly clean their mats. Mica's Ring Worm spot after a week is nearly gone. There is no sign of it spreading. I was worried about Daddy and I getting it. We both touched it with coconut oil thinking it was eczema. Last night I grabbed one of their comment cards at the Y. I mentioned that they should clean their mats, and explained what class my son is in, they use the mats regularly, and that he got Ring Worm. There was a spot on the bottom to sign my name.

Would you sign your name?

Seriously it seems like every evaluation I do I get in trouble. I got called over by the head swimming lady one time because I wrote a little too much on their evaluation. Since then when they pass out evaluations I leave the room, or act too busy to fill one out. At work I got called into the boss' office once because I wrote too much on an evaluation. I wrote both good, and things they could work on. Somehow it was a sign to him that I do not like my job. I do like my job. Just like everything, we all need to work on things. Car dealerships want good evaluations. I've had companies say when I've been asked to review their products, "If you've found fault with our product, please don't write a review." I've also had others, which I like say, "We want an honest review. Please don't copy and paste verbiage on our site, and paste it on yours. We want the post to be your opinion, and your words."

Mica Practicing His Balance

Mica had trouble with the balance ball. Many of the other kids did as well. It was a good exercise.

Switching Gears 

I went to the Y to use the treadmill and lift weights. When I was in the weight room one guy kept standing and waiting for every machine I was on. I didn't even use them in order. Seriously couldn't he just use a different one, while I was on the one he wanted to use? It was awkward. Some people on Facebook mentioned, "Maybe he was hitting on you." I don't think so. He looked impatient to use the machines, and bothered by the fact that he had to bump the weight up on ever one of them.

Swimming Baffled

Isaak has us baffled with swimming, yet again.

He's been lagging behind most of the other kids. His coach doesn't think it's because he can't do it. He thinks it's because Isaak chooses to go slow.

The slower he goes, the longer he can stay in the water. 

We're not sure if he should go up, or stay at the same level in swimming.

Isaak always has been a slow child. Not slow, as in unable. Slow because it's relaxing, and easier.

Here he is during his boat safety week:

Swimming Lessons, Now What?

After Isaak's swimming lesson I was expecting to get a form that said Isaak had to stay in the same swimming lesson because he's not six yet. He's not able to move on. I heard that more than enough times. I really wish they went by level; not age. Instead she told me, "Isaak's gifted with swimming. I really think he should be on our swim team. He is starting to get bored sitting on the side, and waiting for things to happen."

They practiced water safety at their last lesson. That raft got tipped over and they had to swim out of that situation.

I don't mean to sound cocky, but I know Isaak's good at swimming. I've known that for awhile now. It bothered me that he couldn't move up. I know this, just like I know when he isn't good at something (like tumbling)!

She was trying to sell the swim team to me. The Mom in me was proud of Isaak. I want him to excel at something he's good at. Then the Mom in me was thinking, Wait a minute two practices a week, and a meet somewhere else in Nebraska once a month! Isn't that too much for a Kindergartener?

My personal philosophy is that kids do like to stay busy, but they also need time to be what they are KIDS. 

Of course the Y didn't have any reading material on their swim team. I wanted to know where all these meets are at? How long practices last? So on and so forth before I sign my child into something like that.

I left not knowing what I'd do. I just knew I'd have to decide soon because I'd have to cancel the swimming lessons I just signed up for prior to talking to Isaak's coach.

I  almost moved my kids to an entirely different swimming place. The one my sister takes her kids to. They have more options with that one. They have a website to view all about their program.

But the Y is walking distance from my house. They boys like the Y.

I found out that the Y has something that wasn't even recommended to us. Wave Makers is non competitive swim team. They are once a week. They work on perfecting their strokes. I wonder why they didn't tell me about this?

Another question in my mind, why wouldn't they let Isaak move up in swimming lesson? He couldn't move up until he is 6. I get that. BUT, swim team is for ages 6 and up as well.

Sometimes I just don't understand some rules!

Jiu-Jitsu Tournament

Last weekend was so busy I didn't even post everything we did.

Mica had a Jiu-Jitsu Tournament. It was just for fun. No board breaking events.  This was their first event held in Omaha for kids.

Jujitsu is a mix between Judo and wrestling. They do a lot of ground fighting.

I notice that they test very different from Karate. My oldest nephew is in that. In Jiu-Jitsu they get stripes on their belt before they test for a yellow belt. Sensei said it took him 25 years to get his black belt. My nephew is in middle school and has his black belt already. Everyone in Mica's class hasn't even moved up to a yellow belt at all. We get a few yellow belt kids coming in from the other Y to help out every so often.

I was worried because Daddy took the boys swimming the night before. I was out to celebrate Mother's Day with my own Mom and sisters. I came home thinking that the boys would be in bed. NOPE! The house was empty. They didn't get to bed until 9-9:30. That's late for the Apel boys.

Can you tell he was tired?

He was signed up for a few events, but had to wait and wait for his event to come up. It took too long. The whole tournament was supposed to last from 9-12, but ended up lasting until 2! Mica was hungry and tired of sitting around. It was their first time for the event. They couldn't exactly call off things that people were signed up and paid for. 

Finally he was up:

He won his first match.

Then the next event came along and Mica wasn't on the list. He was written in with one of the kids that had been in for twice as long as Mica. He was beat right away. Grandpa said it's good to sometimes be stuck with people harder than you, because you learn. No one else got stuck with anyone harder than them. Mica took it well. Daddy on the other hand was a little upset for Mica. *He didn't tell him this.

In between all this Isaak drove me nuts. Remember it lasted way longer than it was supposed to. Isaak was wound up. Him and I finally left to go prepare food wise for our Mustashe Bash, and to eat lunch.

Mica got a medal because everyone in this generation does. I don't say that to be mean. It's just true.

Later on this week at practice Daddy had a talk with one of the other Dads. We've questioned weather Mica should keep doing Jiu-Jitsu, or not. Sometimes he's really serious about it, sometimes not as much. He enjoys it. I like the philosophy of any martial art. The boys seem more serious about swimming though.

Mica doesn't seem to have that fight anger instinct like other kids have. When he's pinned, he doesn't try and get out of it. He just assumes they won. Isaak seems more like the kid you don't want to mess with in our family. The other Dad agreed about his son. Then Sensei stepped in and said, "I've been doing this for a lot of years. It seems like it just clicks with kids after awhile."

That's understandable. With Mica drawing, writing, and cutting didn't click right away. Then when he got it he was just as good as the other kids, if not better than many.

I think as long as he's enjoying it, we'll keep him in it.

We're thinking of starting Isaak up in the fall. We want him to mature a little before he starts. He's capable, but might just want to fight everyone on the planet.

Isaak's in a Tumbling Class

He likes it, but likes Family Fitness more. I think he likes Family Fitness more because we do things with him; verses him him doing and us watching.

They practice the balance beam, bear walk, camel walk, bunny hop, they dance, try doing the bridge, attempt cartwheels, somersault and handstand.

It's funny because the kids are just learning, so most of them are not talented at any of the things they are learning. The kids still demand claps out of the parents.

I do have to say that Isaak's a pretty good sport. There are some kids who cut in line, don't get in line at all or tell their parents they are done all together. Isaak hasn't done any of the above.

Here's his climb up the wall handstand.

His somersault looks painful. In fact most of the kid's make this look painful!

This is what I call his 1/2 attempt cartwheel. For the record, I never got the cartwheel down. To this day I can't do one.

Life is so Emotional Baby!

Tonight had it's highs and lows. Mica got invited to a friends house after school. Humm...it was to a girl's house, the one he has a crush on. They enjoy playing together. Daddy went along because they invited him to. They had fun.

What that meant for me? Well I had trouble in traffic. Then I got home after getting Isaak and had to make dinner ASAP. All while Isaak was yelling out, "Mommy help me!" I kept saying back, "Isaak if you want to go to the Y tonight, you have to let Mommy make dinner! Find something to do that doesn't require my help." So what does Isaak do? He brings his Thomas trains in the kitchen to play under my feet. :) Kids!

Daddy and Mica got home, we ate and got ready to go the the Y. Mica cried because he couldn't get his shoes tied.

We had fun at the Y. We played a racing game and then scooter soccer. Daddy left early to go figure drawing downtown. When it was time to leave I called both boys over to get a drink of water. Isaak ran over and Mica next. Mica went to grab the water bottle out of Isaak's hands because I called his name first. I snapped at Mica and Mica started crying for the second time tonight. Then we talked.

We came home and I told Isaak to go potty. Isaak was refusing and Mica started being bossy with Isaak. I told Mica that he is not Isaak's parent. Mica said, "I'm practicing to be a parent Mommy! I have to! I am getting adult teeth and need to practice being an adult!" It was kind of funny, but not. I'm saving that conversation for tomorrow.

We Scooted Across the Gym Floor

The other day we had open gym class at the Y. We had to scoot on scooters across the gym floor. First it was on our butts, then it was on our tummies. I tell ya it was hard after I got to the middle of the gym floor.

Mica moves way faster than I do!

I sometimes have trouble with Isaak participating because some things are above his age level. This time he loved it! I was worried he'd catch his fingers, but as you can see the scooter has handles.

After awhile Isaak loved standing in font of Mica, while Mica was trying to scoot. Then Isaak also chased Mica on foot down the gym floor. BROTHERS!

YMCA

We've been trying as a family to go to the YMCA whenever we can. We still don't have time to do everything we want to. I'd love to start lifting weights. We may have to give up a night of family gym or swimming to lift weights. I do have to say that I love working out as a family. To me it's fun. I don't get to see the kids all day. I dislike sticking them in a room for someone else to watch them, so I can lift weights. At the same time I'd like to lift weights. We'll have to find a balance.

Tuesday and Thursday they have family gym. It's where families get together to stretch, talk about nutrition and play games. The first time we went Isaak wouldn't participate in stretching at all. He was in fact a grump about it! This last time, Isaak kept watching me and stretching right along with me. Last week Mica and Daddy went to play soccer on scooters. This week we played nutrition tag. Someone stood in the middle of the gym and said some kind of fruit or veggie. The people that ate the one called off got a free pass, while the others had to wait. When the word, "GO!" was called off everyone ran before the middle person could tag the line of people. Whoever got tagged went in the middle. Before too long there were more taggers to get people. My legs actually hurt today from running. Mica's pretty good at tag! Isaak doesn't comprehend too much direction yet; he also isn't a fast runner at all. We also had stations with a parachute and balls, jump rope and hop balls. Both Mica and Isaak could not figure out how to jump rope. Mica started to cry because he couldn't figure out this task. :( Did I ever mention that Mica's a major perfectionist? He gets mad at himself when he can't get something done right. Daddy tried showing him. Then the lady in charge came over and showed him that he can pretend to jump rope without the rope. She said, "It just takes some coordination." I loved jumping rope and quickly realized how much I missed it.

Open swimming is every Wednesday and Friday. The boy's swim lessons are on Monday. So far we've been going. The boy's love it. Isaak has even started to jump in by himself with the noodle wrapped around him, he also back floats with the noodle and doggie paddles with the noodle. Lets just say that the noodle and Isaak are good friends. Mica reaches the bottom, so he just walks all over. Mica now back floats pretty easily. We mainly have to get after Mica for jumping, not warning us and almost smacking into us. He also LOVES to splash us. Tonight I showed the boys that I can do a summer salt in the water. They thought I was pretty cool for my summer salt action. LOL Daddy and I take turns with laps down the pool.

Grump!

Isaak did not take a nap today. He was such a major crab at dinner. Instead of taking our boys out to the YMCA for family night, Isaak went to bed. He was crying in bed saying, "I want to go to the YMCA!" He was so over tired. He went to sleep in five minutes, but woke up an hour later crying from a bad dream. Sometimes kids just need to crash! Bedtime was 6:15. I don't remember the last time he went down that early! Usually their bedtime is anywhere from 7:30 to 8.

Daddy and Mica headed over to the YMCA and played soccer, while on scooters. It Sounded like so much fun!

Swimming Lessons

Tonight the boys started swimming lessons. This is the first time they've had paid swimming lessons. Cousin Kailey worked with Mica a lot different summers. She practically lived at the pool some summers. We take the boys swimming twice a week since we've joined the YMCA. They are both willing to jump in the water, swim with the foam noodle, kick, Mica doggie paddles, back float some. They are a little nervous with the back float.

Isaak had one on one with his instructor for awhile. The other 2 boys in his class are twins and were running late. He looked timid at first, but warmed up to his instructor really fast. His instructor is younger and just tried to get him to have fun.

Mica had two other kids in his class as well. His instructor is much more by the book. He walked the kids around, talked about safety and showed them around before they got in the water.

Can you see Mica's ribs? He's so stinking skinny! Daddy said that his ribs look like an accordion.

Pool

Daddy had to work at the gallery where his work is at tonight. He did find out that he sold a $50 sketch.

I wanted to take the boys swimming at the YMCA. Earlier I kept thinking about how I was going to take them by myself?" The thing is, Mica is too young to go through the men's locker area and do everything himself. He's also getting too old and aware of nudity to go through the women's locker area with me.

Isaak didn't have a nap, so he was really testy. I was thinking about skipping the pool idea all together. Instead I decided to go.

I asked the front desk if they had a family room that lead into the pool? They do, but it's inside the women's locker area. I was thinking, "Ok!!"

I just lead my son through the women's locker area with a towel over his head - Michael Jackson style. Some lady looked at me odd. I said, "Hey he's a 6 year old boy; I didn't know what else to do!"

We shower and go to head in and the door was locked to get into the pool. Again I was like, "OK!!"

I have the boy's step back in the warm shower. We try again in 5 minutes and it was open.

We swam for 15 to 20 minutes. Then a lifeguard comes up and says, "We have to close down the pool; the chlorine levels are too high." Again I was thinking, "OK!!" Why didn't they test it before all the families got in is beyond me!

Out we go to get dressed once again. Mica leaves with a towel over his head again. I wanted to call him, "Blanket."

Then we had to go home to shower, get pjs on and go to bed.

Bounce

After Mica and Isaak got their pink poodle purses this last weekend, we went up stairs and bounced.

When the boys saw that a bounce house was set up in the YMCA gym, their little eyes lit up like gigantic saucers.

I told my boy's, "Bounce over towards the edge, so I can get a picture!" Five minutes later I heard the guy in charge say, "Don't bounce towards the edge, that's against the rules. You can break the net!" I always feel crappy when I was at fault for my boys getting in trouble!

Then I try and justify my lack of common since with thinking, "Gee wiz you should of told them the rules before going in!" Looking at the above pictures I can totally see why it's against the rules to pull on the net!

They bounced for a very long time! Mica in particular has lots of energy! The boys are with my parents this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. When Mica gets too wound up, Grandpa Spiehs takes them outside to run up and down the hill (which is steep).

That weekend I learned that most outsiders think our boys are older than they are. They can't believe Mica is 6 and Isaak is 3. Santa thought Mica was in first grade. He could have been (he has an August birthday). When I signed them up for swim lessons, the lady at the desk said, "Ok for a 7 year old and 4 year old?" I'm like, "Nope!" Later we went to a gallery and the lady there said the same thing. When I tell people how old our boys really are, they look at me and say, "Really?" Our kids are tall!