Cardio Kids

My goal is to keep the boys off the couch and away from the TV, despite the fact we have limited outside time. Even if they could handle the heat, Graham cannot.

My solution was a "cardio kids" program one morning a week for preschool age kids. I emailed the expert and Tiffanie responded with a novel of information.

It has been a hit with the kids and moms. After the first class every morning Ethan would get up and ask if it was "cardio kids" day and then ask for breakfast.

We start with some listening games and then move on to some simple stretches and yoga poses.

Here the kids are doing the warrior pose.

Then we start movin'! We've done gymnastics, basketball, and this week was an obstacle course. Each time they went through they had to do it a different way. This time it was hopping on one foot.

We also had them crawl through different tubes.

These are some of Zach's friends he will be starting school with.

We then move on to games. Some favorites are Duck, Duck, Goose and popcorn (using a sheet and plastic balls). In the background you can see the giant Twister Board my friends made for the class. 

Another favorite is Rescue Dogs. The kids pretend they are dogs trapped in a burning building and the firefighters must rescue them. The adults pull for a while but the kids keep it going for as long as we let them.

We end the session with some relaxation time where I take them on an imaginary trip... under the sea, outer space, or flying like a bird in the sky.

They're so amped up after we let them run wild! Then it is time to go home for lunch.

And where is Graham during all this...? He is happy as can be with the amazing Gutrie. Gutrie is amazing because Graham is a mamma's boy. The few times I've had someone watch him it did not go well. For some reason whenever Gutrie takes him he is all smiles and I NEVER hear a peep from him... for the whole hour.

Gutrie is a contract worker here and takes care of the youth center in the mornings. He is from Nepal and is excellent with the children. The workers come for several years and can't return to their families until they pay off their travel expenses and fulfill their contracts. I know he misses his wife terribly but I don't know if he has children.