acrobatics & a (not so) secret handshake...

last nite was the girls' 1st acro class of the season!

we've made some tough decisions lately...we pulled Jaden out of martial arts a couple of weeks ago...& told the girls that they wouldn't b able 2 dance this season...we just simply can't afford it all right now with Curtis' recent lay off (although, he's been getting 35-40hrs a week with the electrician he's been working with...it's just not a permanent gig cause we're not sure how long it will last)...& with our upcoming move...we really need 2 just save up this year

we promised every1 that next season, we'd work it all out so they could jump right back in...they understood...they were sad...but they understood

then, we found out this week that not only would the girls b able 2 take the 1 class a season that we normally allow...but 2 classes each! i can't go in2 details about how - let's just say that God works in mysterious (& WONDERFUL) ways!!! :0)

& the best part? they're in the same classes this year!

last nite was Acro...& on Monday, they'll begin Tap...they're thrilled!!!

Mama & Daddy r grateful!
God is so good...we praise Him 4 always taking care of not just our needs, but 4 also blessing our family with many other opportunities!

so now, we're on the hunt 4 another martial arts program 4 Jaden (we've been told about an awesome, Christian-based 1 that we're gonna look in2)...the Sensei he worked with 4 the last year was great - but very tough...& yes, i realize that Jaden needs some tough - especially when training...but i don't think the Sensei really "got" Jaden - or necessarily wanted 2 try 2...he was kind, but had very little patience...Jaden was super close 2 earning his green belt, so he did well overall...but we'd really like 2 find a Dojo that's a better fit 4 us...& a little cheaper too ;0)

4 now, we've signed Jaden up 4 Cub Scouts...another activity that's not based on how well a group or team does, but had individual goals...Jaden has a hard time when things don't work out the way he'd like...especially if it's because of some1 else (Autistics tend 2 do better with individual sports/activities)...plus, Cub Scouts isn't a weekly thing - they'll meet 2 or 3 times a month, & have some fun monthly activities (racecar derby, creating a float 4 the Homecoming parade, chicken BBQ fundraisers, camp-outs, etc)...it'll b a fun creative outlet 4 Jaden, but not something so demanding (or expensive)

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i also wanted 2 share this video with u

it's of Curtis & Jaden doing their (not so) secret handshake last nite...they've been doing this 4 years...every couple months or so, they'll add on more...actually, as soon as i took this video, Jaden suggested another move they should add on 2 the end - it's so funny!

ps. any1 else getting grainy photos when uploading them 2 blogger? it's so weird! & annoying!

yellow belt!

guess who earned his yellow belt yesterday?!

and of course, it was on one of the few days that daddy took him to training...and not me!

but i made sure 2 get some poses when he got home - jaden was soooo proud!

the ironic thing is that just monday, he was ready 2 quit...of course, we weren't going 2 let him give up that easily, but he was kind of getting bored & frustrated - doing the same thing over & over, trying to earn that belt & not really getting 2 work on anything new

but earning his yellow belt is just the motivation he needed 2 keep pushing forward!

after he got home & i congratulated him,
i asked... "so, aren't u glad u didn't quit now?!"
he says "yeah! maybe i'm sorry...maybe i don't want 2 quit any more!"
;0)

martial arts progress

ok, so i've learned that jaden's martial arts training is not just jiu-jitsu...it's that, plus 3 other forms of japanese martial arts (karate, taekwondo & one other) - combined 2 create some form that i can't remember the name of! ~lol~ it appears that the sensei overheard me on the phone with my brother, telling him we were at jiu-jitsu...cause, at the end of training, the sensei sits the kiddos down 2 explain 2 them what exactly their martial arts training is...i was listening from the other room & didn't get the full scoop...but let me just say, i stand corrected! ;0)

sooooo, at jaden's martial arts training 2day....i took some new videos....he still hasn't earned his yellow belt, but he's getting there....the holiday break, plus missing a few practices cause of my crazy medical schedule, have hindered him a little - but overall, both the sensei & i r still happy with how well jaden's doing...plus, he enjoys it - and that's really all that matters! :0)



i love the part with the kicks - even tho she's the same age, he's so much taller than her! it's too cute!

(in the 1st video, u can hear gabby watching scooby doo on my phone while we wait...and corinn decides to hang on my legs & shake me while i'm taping....in the 2nd video, some of the adult class, that follows jaden's class, r now waiting....& u can hear their chatter in the background)

here's what the girls do while we wait....corinn can't sit still...

and gabby is content, watching scooby doo...

jiu-jitsu drills & a pattern bracelet

last night, i made sure to take some videos of jaden during his jiu-jitsu drills....he needs to practice more at home, and since curtis is working 2nd shift now, he can't b at training to learn the drills & then help jaden out with practicing....so i caught these videos - they can watch em & practice together! :0)

u can see, balance is hard for jaden....he wobbles on a few drills & this new kata he's learning is trickier than the last....he's getting it tho! it's only been since july that he started & he's making great progress!

drill 1

drill 2

drill 3

new kata



during training, corinn pulled out a bracelet from her backpack (after we finished the girls' homework)....it's the same pattern bracelet her teacher was telling me about at PTC's....her teacher said Corinn was the ONLY kid in the class to create a 3 color pattern (instead of just using 2 colors) with their bracelet....at'a girl! ;0)


and i couldn't post a blog about the other 2, without posting a pic of Gabby too....so here it is, a random cutesy pic of my girl! ;0)


today's weather was gorgeous (70 degrees baby!), but we're supposed to start getting rain tonight & a cold front is coming in

we're thinking about taking the kiddos to the indoor waterpark this weekend since curtis is off, but we'll see....and i hope to finally make it to kmart to start our Christmas lay-a-way, but we've got to find someone to watch the kids while we do that....boy, i miss the days when we could take them along & make up some crazy story about what we were doing & they'd buy it! ~lol~

have a great weekend guys!

Jiu-Jitsu progress...

i took some video of jaden at his jiu-jitsu training last night....u can definitely see the progress he's made since i posted this video back in august!

i don't normally take jaden to his training, but curtis had to work late last evening....so i bussed the kiddos straight from corinn's tap class, to jaden's jiu-jitsu (and threw dinner in the car & homework on the sidewalk in there too! ~lol~)

it's neat to see him doing it with another student now....this little girl started just a week or so after jaden & celebrated her 8th birthday yesterday....so she's about 3 months younger than jaden - i know, u'd never know it looking at them! ;0) her mom also trains with the sensei - it's nice being able to chat with her while we wait - i get to find out more about what the kiddos are actually doing

the sensei is very nice, but expects hard work out of the kids while they're training.....i love all the praise he does give them when they do well!



here they are doing it alone....it's funny at the end of this video, when the sensei starts clapping to speed them up - that gets jaden every time - he can't help but giggle! ~teehee~



(sorry for the poor quality - i was taking the video while standing in the waiting area, thru the glass.....so u see the reflection of outside & my girls playing with balloons that the guy at the photography place next door gave them)

Jiu-Jitsu training

last night, Jaden had his very first Jiu-Jitsu training class! :0) we had checked out the local DoJo place a few months ago & then it kind of got put on the back burner....we had researched the local martial arts places, trying to find the right fit for Jaden....we really liked this place (& the sensei) and thought that jiu-jitsu would be great for Jaden....it's more hands on than karate....& not so much about the punching, kicking 'hi-yah' stuff....it teaches kids not only discipline, and how to defend themselves, but also how to learn to control a situation and get away from a bully if need be....it teaches them self-control & confidence....bullying is not something that Jaden has to worry about yet, but we're looking at what may be an issue for him in the future....and with his size (he's waaaay bigger than most 8yr olds! 4'7" & 90lbs to be exact!), we want him to know how to defend himself safely & responsibly, without hurting others....our hope is that Jaden will be able to focus his energy on this and will excel at it....the trouble that he has with being distracted and losing focus easily might hinder his training some, but we hope he'll have the opposite reaction and will really get into it....we've seen how when Jaden is interested in something, he goes ALL the way with it! :0)

it was funny last night, because he kept asking the sensei about all the "Chinese" artifacts & lettering around the office & studio - but DoJo & Jiu-Jitsu are Japanese martial arts....so now, Jaden is learning about Japan & how similar it's culture is to his favorite country - China! ~teehee~

he did really well last night - especially for his very first try......he wasn't as easily distracted as i thought he'd be (except for having to check himself out in the full length mirrors every five minutes or so! ~lol~), and he followed directions well.....i'd of course talked with the sensei several times prior & let him know what might b helpful in working with Jaden, as well as what obstacles he might face in training him.....the sensei is a very calm & relaxed person - but also very authoritative & stern....the class is for ages 7-12....the other boys in the class were respectful & quick to help out without having to be asked....i was so impressed! i think that this will be really great for Jaden! :0)

here's his "kung fu" pose - before class started ~lol~

the class bowing at the beginning

jaden working on one of the grappling drills

the sensei teaching him the forward roll drill