{JHSK} PE Adventure: Wheels Day

Robert, Dante, Hannah, and Aahliya

 This past Wednesday, we had our bi-weekly PE Club meeting. This time, it was our rescheduled 'Wheels Day.' We loaded the van with our bikes, scooters, skateboards, and tricycles! Of course, we also packed our helmets and knee/elbow pads to ensure safety and plenty of water, juice, and snacks.

When we first arrived at Huffman Park, there was another home school group there - according to many, this had never happened before and had many of us on edge as there were SO many kiddos. . . But after they left, it was just JHSK that remained to enjoy this beautiful day and new wheel adventures. . .

There were 3 rules before the fun began:

1. Safety first - ALWAYS
2. Share what you brought.
3. Try new things.

After everyone was geared up, the fun began and lasted 5 hours! They were having such a great that we parents did not have the heart to disrupt it. . . not to mention, it was a great break from the chaos of the day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute - a welcomed escape!!

"Where is Wesley?"

Robert on ROLLER SKATES for the first time!

Robert's first wipe out!

We found GIANT acorns!

Searching for acorns and witches!

Wesley is a bit confused!

Hannah's turn!

Her first wipe out!

All smiles after falling down!

Hannah helping Little Robert on the sidewalk.

Working together - Robert is trying to do it on his own while Hannah insists that he lets her help. . . she eventually won!

Pretty girl!

Wesley loved sliding on wheels day.

Because it is too easy to take the stairs.

In case you can not tell, we had a great time. We had an  an exhausting 5 hours of excitement, fun, and memories! Like always, the kiddos are counting down the days until the next park/PE day with our friends!

JHSK - Field Day!

On Monday, we attended JHSK's Field Day and from what we had heard, this would be FUN!!
We were told to wear comfy clothes, bring lots of water, a picnic lunch, and great attitudes! The kiddos were beyond excited, but I was a bit timid as I only knew what Field Day's were like growing up, and while they were GREAT, there was SO much competition and I am just not ready for that. A little is fine and healthy, but I do not want it to be s/he is better than me, etc etc. I was quite relieved to see that all of my fears were put to rest and it was a fabulous day. . . except for me forgetting sunscreen!!

Before we were able to have any fun however, we had to get through school in the morning. The kiddos all know the rules and barely complained or moaned as they knew that that would just be a waste of time - I love that they are learning these little facts! We also had our cousins, Dylan (7) and Daniel (6), with us as Christ the King was out for the day. After everyone was finished with school and our chores were complete, we loaded into the van and headed out!

As soon as the festivities began, we separated the kiddos into "Bigs" (8 and older) / "Littles" (7 and under) and then it was time to start! Within our "Littles" group, we attempted to split them into 2 teams, but everyone who has ever been around an excited little kiddo knows how well this goes. . . So, we just decided to do our best and HAVE FUN!

Our first game was the balloon race. You took 2 drumsticks and ran to the bag of balloons. Picked up a balloon then ran back and dropped it into a laundry basket.  Now, the  "olders" counted the balloons and followed the rules, but the "littles" just had fun. . . if they even wanted to play!

 

 

  

After this, we moved onto the changing clothes relay. You had to put on a pair of pants, a shirt, and a jacket. Then run around a tree and return to the starting point where you would take them all off and pass them to the next player. I was laughing so hard with this one, plus we had kiddos switching teams right and left that there were no pictures taken! This one was absolutely one of my favorite though!

After this, we had the "Blanket Pull." I am assuming that this was meant to be a race, but with the little kiddos it was more of a challenge than anything, so it was just a group effort and a HUGE hit with them! (Robert would let NO ONE pull Hannah!)

 

 

In between this activity and the next, there was a break and this is when I caught this moment:

After our little break and lunch, it was time for our last activity - the hula hoop game. You know, the one where you snake a hula hoop over each other while holding hands? I expected this one to be VERY difficult, but in fact, it was not. . . and once again, it was quite a hit!

 

 

After the games were said and done, we played for a bit. Hannah and Wesley enjoyed playing on the playset with Joce. Robert, Dylan, and Daniel enjoyed playing kickball with the other kiddos. Aahliya enjoyed some good snuggles with me. We all had a great time and were absolutely exhausted by the time we left - but it was the good exhausted. The "worth every minute of fun that was had" exhausted!

Last night, while I was at the gym attempting to get some endorphins going, my phone buzzed. I opened it up and it was a picture from daddy -

apparently somebody had so much fun they could not wait for bed - I just wish that it had been my arms instead of the couch!

P.E. Adventure - Kickety Kick Ball

Ready for the fun to begin!

Shortly after arriving - Robert and Hannah Racing

Returning from their race!

Before I share about today, I want to say that I am so glad that we found Jacksonville Homeschool Kids. I love knowing that there is a great group of people that understand the great joys and struggles that come with parenting AND homeschooling. I love knowing that they are there when you need them. Even though we have only been with them for about 2 months, we have already formed quite a bond. The same can be said for Robert, Hannah, and Wesley. I love hearing Little Robert or Hannah ask me when they can play with their friends again. Or telling me that they had SO much fun with homeschool group. Even when I am having a not so great day personally, their joy and excitement make everything fade into the background!

Learning the kickball rule

Now onto today. It was our bi-weekly P.E. activity and we all decided upon kickball. My kiddos had never played it before. Even though I had tried to explain it to them, they did not full understand it, which was fine because the other kiddos were in the same boat! We used cones to mark the 4 bases and had plenty of balls to keep the little ones entertained while the big ones tried this new game.

Robert stealing 2nd base!

Hannah's Home-run

Manning 3rd base

Robert was VERY possessive over the base!

No score was kept and no teasing or the "I am better" talk occurred. There was no arguing or fighting. All of the kiddos worked together and had fun. The big kiddos helped the little ones 'play' the game. The kickball experience was great fun!

After kickball, we played a quick round of dodgeball - Boys vs. Girls! Of course, the boys made the girls cry, so the game of dodgeball ended and a game where the boys are statues and the girls have the balls began. When the boys were allowed to move again, Hannah chose to chase after her big brother!

R E V E N G E is sweet!

Having fun was the was the ultimate goal for today, and I think that was accomplished making today a huge success!

Our First P.E. Adventure

Today, we met with our homeschool group at a local park for our first P.E. Adventure for the 2011-2012 School Year! The kiddos are used to doing things here, but we have never really stepped out of our comfort zone - Well, today, we played tennis! I had not told the kiddos prior what we were doing as the weather was very iffy and I was not sure if we would even be able to go. Thankfully, the rain cleared and we were able to attend. I am glad because it was SO much fun! Robert and Hannah had never so much as held a racket, but today they did that AND hit tennis balls!

Here are some of the highlights from the day:

Our friends that made it to PE today.

Hannah's ball could not quite make it over the net!

Robert and Hannah serving - Wesley trying to get hurt!

Hannah about to hit the ball!

Robert ready to serve!

Robert and Hannah have already told me that we need to buy rackets and balls so that we can play again! I definitely think this is something we will be doing again soon!