Hoffman's Hideaway: The Next Michael Phelps!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

The Next Michael Phelps!

Our town started a swim club this year for the first time. Prior to this, we had signed Cole up for swim lessons this summer at the local high school in order to keep him from drowning. He has no body fat, so there's no hope of him floating. So for 8 days this summer he went from swim to football. I figured for 8 days it wouldn't kill him. Then we got the news that a new swim club was starting. Thinking, OK we've done football, soccer, basketball why not try swimming. Not having a ton of info about this, we went ahead and signed up and then realized that this was a 4 day a week endeavor. So bless my father for shuttling my son around 4 days a week, because between 2 jobs and 2 kids, neither Troy nor I cold manage this feat. Going to the initial practices, I have to admit, swim club wasn't looking promising, some of those kids made me want to throw life preservers in the pool! However I have to admit I underestimated the little man. .Not only can he tackle kids twice his size (OK maybe 3 times his size), but I think he might actually make it through the season (which runs from October - March) and be good!

Troy and I were excited to leave the world of insane football parents and go off to what we thought would be more civilized meets in swimming. OK - we were way wrong. Children should be allowed to have their meets/games/matches free from parents who are so consumed about winning and losing that whatever common sense they had before, leaves them at the event. I have heard more cussing, swearing, rude and nasty comments during children's sporting events than I have heard during pro-football games! Seriously folks, these kids are 8. Get a good book, newspaper, grab some wine in a cup, sit down and hang out.

Did I mention that Cole has to be to these swim meets at 7am and most of them are at least an hour away? The only thing that makes it totally worth it is seeing his cute little legs and his swim hat on! I'm going to attempt to enclose a video from the last meet.

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A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.