The Band Geek and The Ninja

I have always hoped my kids would take an interest in something, some sport, hobby or activity. However I am not pageant mom enough to jump in and push them into one thing after the next hoping to help them find their passion. So I have just sat back and waited for them to find something that sparked their interest. I have of course offered to sign Alex up for baseball, basketball, football, soccer....but each new suggestion is met with eh, nah. And for Alyssa we have talked about dance, or ice skating, and for a minute she is interested but her interest always fizzles completely before we can even get her to the studio to sign her up. And so I have sat on the sidelines while the rest of you are out playing soccer mom.

Until now.

After we joined the Recplex, we went through the catalog over and over again trying to find something for Alex to participate in for the Summer. Then a few months ago as we were leaving the gym he gasped aloud and then demanded MOMMY, LOOK! They have Ninja classes here. Yep, he had spotted the Tae Kwon Do class and he has not stopped talking about it since.

I reluctantly signed him up. Of all the options out there, my ultra passive son wants to fight? After one class, me and Seth agreed that it is the perfect place for Alex. The teachers talk a lot about respect, and confidence, and determination, and cleaning your room and not sitting in front of a video game all day. I love it! The class is for ages 6-15 so Alex is the littlest one, and it is tough but he is really trying to give it his all. At the end of the first class the teacher called on a few kids to tell what they learned that day. The kids were giving answers like I learned increased agility sir. Alex kept his hand high and I kept hoping the teacher wouldn't call on him because he was the only brand new student and I was afraid we were going to hear a really wacky answer, but the teacher did call on him and Alex said I learned to listen. Perfect!

And so while I never thought I would be a martial arts mama, here I am trying to memorize everything that is going on in class so that I can practice with him at home and I am very happy that Alex has found something he is excited about. What I am not excited about is how much everything costs. The lessons are pretty reasonable at about $10 a week (they meet 3 times a week), but the uniforms! We ordered his traditional white uniform, only to find that they also have Summer uniforms which are just black pants and t-shirts but they are specific black pants and shirts. Does it really matter if they have the American Tae Kwon Do logo on them? I guess so. We bought his uniforms so big so that they will last at least a year and we just roll the waist band a few times. The other kids all have their own weapons too but we have just borrowed those from the teacher so far.

Here are his Summer duds. His regular uniform is on order so I will post it when it arrives.

This last shot was taken after his first lesson, before we had uniforms but he still wanted to pose in the headband the teacher gave him.

Then we have Alyssa. Alyssa has always had an interest in music. I don't know where it comes from since we have little to no musical ability on either side of the family. (Although...Seth can sing better than he lets on. He sang a solo at my mission farewell, betcha didn't know.)

When Alyssa was quite young, maybe 4? my mom was in town and we were watching a football game. The marching band came out and Alyssa was beaming. She was telling my mom how she couldn't wait to be in the band someday. The dialogue then unfolded as follows.

Grandma Susie: Wouldn't you rather be a cheerleader? They're cool.
Alyssa: Band is cool.
Grandma Susie: No the geeks are in band.
Alyssa: (with desperation in her little voice) I'M A GEEK!

We laughed so hard and Alyssa's interest in music has not waned.

When we moved here we were told that the school district has a really good music program and to sign up as soon as our kids were old enough. Alyssa is now old enough. As soon as she found out she ran home and begged to take viola lessons. We almost said no because she NEVER practices her piano even though she insists she loves it and does not want to quit. I didn't want to take on another instrument that she wouldn't practice, but the program includes 18 lessons (3 times a week for 6 weeks) for only $20 AND if she participates in the Summer program she will be given a lesson every week during the school year, for free, as part of her music curriculum. I felt like I had to do it.

Today was her first day and all we are hearing about is viola. Of course, even through all the excitement she managed to finish her first days homework assignment in 15 seconds. How ever will I get that kid to really practice?

Alyssa's viola, which is actually a violin stringed as a viola because she was too small for the smallest viola but she did not want to switch to violin. She was deadset on viola.

No bow yet, they are just plucking so far.

So there they are. The band geek and the ninja. They may not be interested in the things I would have chosen for them but I love that they do the things they love and love the things they do.

I wonder which road Chloe will go down....?