Choices!

For as long as my kids have been alive, we have lived places that didn't have a lot of options for youth activities. It's not that they weren't busy in Manila, but the activities offered there are generally a take it or leave it situation- if you don't want to play basketball, for example, you just don't play basketball... there is no other option for that time of year. I have no problem with that- the kids did plenty of good things, and had fun. When we moved to the Azores, there were a few more things offered... but everything played games on Saturdays. We chose not to participate so that we could use our Saturdays to explore the island as a family.

When we got here, I found the community recreation guide. It was a little mind-boggling, considering our past history. We decided to let each child choose one activity for this fall. Here are their choices:

Rebekah is playing volleyball. She does have experience from last year, when she played on an intermural team, so she's doing great. Volleyball is also the one sport I ever played in high school. Like mother, like daughter, I guess. She's fun to watch!



Price and Josh chose to play flag football. Their coach is in our ward, and asked Tim to be his "defensive coordinator" for the season. Pretty funny. The boys are having a blast.


Ethan is playing basketball. Yeah, I know... basketball in September? I guess they do 2nd graders now so they have enough gym space in the winter.


Emma and Annie decided to do gymnastics. They have high school/college age teachers who are very cute with them- and the girls absolutely love it.

I was a little nervous about starting all these activities at once. I had enjoyed our year of extra family time, and I wasn't sure I wanted to give it up. I think we have found a pretty good balance right now, though. We have enough to keep busy and have fun, but it's not too much. Ask me again tomorrow night, though... after a basketball game, two volleyball games, and a football clinic. At least when I'm done with that I get to leave the kids with Tim and escape to General Women's Conference!