Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Parker's First Classes
Today marked Parker's move into a bigger world -- the world where he must fully listen to another adult that he doesn't know, without a parent right there, and try to LEARN something. I'm not really sure how I would say he did. Parker's classes at O2B Kids today included Sports Movement & Games at 4:45 pm and Parent/Child Pre-Karate at 6:00 pm.
The Sports/Games class was a bit of a joke, it seemed. Yes, they seemed crazy-overwhelmed today, and yes, the instructor had to fill-in at the last moment, but regardless, we live in FLORIDA and the class is OUTSIDE while it is still easily in the mid to upper 80s. I don't see us lasting long in this class. So, we met over by the jungle gym, and already it seemed chaotic. The kids were just running all over the place (isn't this how gym classes normally work in elementary schools, too?), and Parker didn't want to stay. I made him stick it out for a bit, encouraging him to go over to where the other kids were. Reluctantly, he finally went over.
Let's back up for a minute, though. You see, before we even GOT to the class, we had some drama. I lost Parker. Yep, you heard me -- I LOST him. We were in the freeplay area, and I told him his class was about to start, and I went to get Kira out of the kitchen area, and when I came back out -- he was gone. Now, this place does have a set-up where he couldn't get out of the place, but still, plenty could happen to him besides. So, I calmly looked around once. I not-so-calmly looked around twice. Then I went to the nearest "fun counselor" and started to lose it. After we looked around for a bit together, and he brought me to the front desk because he had to go teach a class, I started to lose it more. Finally, the membership counselors that I'd gotten to know so well during our trial period got involved and I completely lost it. They brought me into the office so I could cry without scaring other parents. Kira, of course, wanted to nurse right then. Not happenin' sweetie. There is an intercom message for Parker to come to the front desk because his Mommy is looking for him, and he actually shows up. So, anyways -- he'd gone to the music room, thinking his class was in there. So, we rushed out to the Sports class, and needless to say, things didn't start on the right foot.
Okay, back to the moment. They ended up standing in line to throw basketballs at the hoop, and Parker stood in line, threw one ball, and then came over declaring he was ready to go. I steadfastly stayed out there, even though he didn't participate again, until they started doing races to and from a cone -- Parker kept doing it even after they lined up to come inside. Guess he likes to run!! So, we finally get inside, get a drink and snack, play, and get ready for the first Parent/Child PreKarate class, where Jeff is going to meet us and take over while I get Kira home. Well, Kira melts down before that, so I struggle to keep her in line and Parker around the general vicinity of where he needs to be, and start questioning what I was thinking when I signed up for this. And thinking that there is another class tomorrow, and THREE on Wednesday. YIKES!!
Labels: Florida heat, homeschooling, parenting, Parker, PE
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