22nd March, 2011
When we got back here last January after spending the holidays in the Philippines, it was really really cold. The tennis and ballet classes resumed on the first week of January and we’re all jet lagged the whole 2 weeks after arrival so we decided that she’ll skip the first session. Then after a week, hubby and I finally decided to just stop both classes. More than the jet lag, the weather’s really bad and we know it won’t be good for Alyssa to be out in the cold for a long time after school. We only go to her classes by bus and long walk so it’s really an effort. During that time also, the roads to those classes were being fixed and we still have to walk 2 bus stops away from the usual stop and since there are a lot of engine driven pumps here and there, walking wasn’t easy at all.
For January and February, she only goes to her swimming classes and that’s every Friday. It’s a long walk too, but in swimming, it’s important to have continuous practice. This, we struggled amid the strong wind, the heavy rain and all. This coming spring term, we have yet to discuss if she’ll be coming back to ballet and tennis or if she would want to try other new activities. She can always come back anyway. Dad and Mum are just here to be with her as she explore her interests.
18th March, 2010
This week has been a very productive week for me as a mom. I’ve been wanting to enroll my Alyssa again in different after school activities and I am guilty that it’s only happening now because of ME! Yes, my lazy butt is the culprit. I don’t drive and the winter months haven’t been of any help, either. I hate going out and I hate cold weather so the thought of walking and commuting while literally freezing isn’t a good idea for me, not even for Alyssa who’s been in the school the whole day.
But since spring has started, I told myself that this is my chance to make-up with my cheeky munchkin and let her enjoy her childhood more by doing activities she really loves rather than just staying at home, playing, watching and sleeping. And when the next winter comes, I have to say goodbye to my lazy bones. I’ll have to make sure that she’ll continue whatever she has started this spring for as long as she wants.
When she was about 3 1/2, I enrolled her to a ballet lesson and I would say that she enjoyed it to bits. She wanted more, but I have to find another school because it wasn’t very near our place and the only way to go there and back is to walk. The term ends on autumn and since winter’s on its way, I have to say, “let’s do it next time.” =(
For now, I’m only in the process of introducing to her the opportunities for her talents and interests. And I will always make sure that she does what she does not because I want her to, but because she loves and enjoys them. And her health is my number 1 priority. I have to limit her activities to only 3 for now. She’s only 4 1/2 and I don’t want to exhaust her with lots of activities since she goes to school full-time (9-3:30).
She has started her swimming already, which is every Wednesday and we’re booked for a trial on Tuesday for tennis lessons. If she enjoyed the trial, then Tuesdays will be for tennis. We want her to get into sports because hubby and I aren’t really sporty persons. One more class and we’re fine. I want her to do dancing – ballet (which she really loves) or mixed dances like tap, modern and jazz. When she turns 6, I’ll see if gymnastics interests her as well as figure skating. Drama is also on the roll as well as singing, but these has to be scheduled properly. I know time will come that she’ll have to choose. She has to give something up to start with another, but one thing’s for sure, we will be here to guide and support her all the way.
