Splits Club

At karate, they have different badges that you can work toward achieving; like attendance, academic, sparring, etc. Well, one of them is the Splits Club and it is exactly what it sounds like: do the splits and you earn the badge.

Well, Korri has been working on doing the full splits for a while (forward not front and back) and has been SO close. Today at class, I mentioned to Master Hourscht that she thought she was ready to test for it. At the end of the class, Mr. Newman tested her:

And she did them with only a faction of space at the bottom (which is allowed!)!! So proud of this girl and her determination. I really don't know anybody else who sets goals like her and works unceasingly to accomplish them, especially when it comes to manipulating her body. She is now working on one-handed cartwheels...so hard...but I know she'll do it!!!

Anchored in Faith

I have amazing memories of Bible camp from when I was growing up. I went to Lake Beauty Bible Camp and Pilgrim Point Camp and I often went by myself! Well, Korri was asked to go to Camp Omega with her friend Maria and I wasn't too sure if she'd want to or how it would go.

Ha, I should NOT have worried in the least. She said yes immediately and was super excited about it (I didn't even bother asking Finn!). The nice thing about THIS camp is that it is was for three days and two nights, which I think is perfect for this age range (6-8 year olds). Also, it was the same theme (Anchored in Faith) as her VBS was last week and even had the same counselors!!

I dropped her off Sunday at 4pm and after waiting in quite the registration line (note to future self: get there BEFORE check in starts!), we found Korri's cabin and she was ready for me to go! I think it helped that she was there with her friend Maria and a new friend she's been getting to know through Maria's church, Elizabeth.

Even though Korri got a bottom bunk and she really wanted a top bunk, she didn't fuss at all! I was very proud of her. Maria's mom threatened life and limb if we didn't get a picture of the girls outside their cabin and I'm happy to report that both Maria's dad AND I remembered!

And then I left. Let me tell you, it was far more difficult on me to leave than it was on Korri! I just kept thinking about her and what she was doing. I knew she would be okay, especially since Maria went last year and she knows how to take care of things! The camp offered "Bunk Notes" so I could send emails to her that were delivered to her cabin, so that made me feel better (although I found out later that she received all but one right before I picked her up!).

The boys went to Memere's for a few days, so Jim and I enjoyed some time alone. And then before I knew it, it was Tuesday morning and time to pick Korri up! Jim and I got there just before 11am for their closing ceremony, where they talked about their bible verses and sang songs. Then we signed Korri out, took a couple pictures and headed home!

Korri's counselor's name was Holly and their high school helper was Anastasia (Anna). We kind of grilled her on the way home but she couldn't remember a lot of details. But every few minutes, she'd think of something new to share. One of the best things was that she told me she helped two girls who were homesick (which was also verified by one of the other moms!) and even gave one of them her stuffed animal to sleep with! She really and truly does have an amazingly kind heart. She said SHE didn't get homesick at all and wants to go for a week next time! That's my girl!

Here are a few pictures that I got off the camp's website and a couple I took at the closing ceremony:

So, she already said she's going next year! Hopefully we can coordinate with Maria and Elizabeth again (I think it's always more fun to know a couple people). Thank you, Kochs, for including Korri! Great memories were made!

Another thing to note for my future self: when the suggested packing list says to bring "toiletries" it means to include shampoo and conditioner! Oops...at least it was only two nights!!

Oh and on the way home, we stopped in Jordan at MN's largest candy store! I mean, when in Rome, right? Jim wasn't feeling great, so Korri and I went in and had so much fun (last time we went it was PACKED and it was NOT when we went this time, which was so nice!).

Korri picked a giant push-up sucker and a peach lemonade for herself, Harry Potter candy for Finn and a sour toilet candy thing for Mac (he'd gotten one a couple years ago from Dr. Bob and talks about it ALL. THE. TIME...so it was a no brainer when we saw it!). I picked up a pecan nut roll for Jim and me (Yum-O!) and some Zott's to share. We got out of there for under $20...which clearly tells you that Jim did NOT go in! It was fun spending time with just my girl!

Did they pass?

All three kiddos had swimming lessons over the last two weeks. We had to find a different pool because the Delano pool was closed due to renovations/construction at the high school. I HATE figuring out new things, but Cokato (where we have gone before) only did lessons through the beginning of July. And I learned last summer that we can not do swimming lessons at the same time as other things. Too stressful!

So I looked around and decided on having lessons at Watertown. This was Mac's first time having lessons without momma (yay for momma!). Korri has always loved lessons but Finn has not. So, I was happy that all three were looking forward to it. We found where we needed to go (even though the pool is NOT labeled from the hallway...are you supposed to just know it is there?!?!).

The last two weeks have been very busy. We tried to fit karate in as much as we could, which was either immediately before or immediately after swimming lessons! I enrolled Mac in Preschool level 2, even though he should have been in Preschool level 1 because it was his first time...but it was the only one right after the Big's lessons and he does AMAZING in the water, so I wasn't worried. And he did great. I enrolled the Big's in level 2 (neither passed level 2 last year, even though Finn was SUPER close).

Korri seemed not to put a huge effort forward during lessons, which isn't like her. Finn, on the other hand, was swimming all over the place the entire time! I was shocked. He actually enjoyed himself. I really believe the change in attitude is due in part to how much we go to hotels where they can swim. He has gotten so much better over the last year. However, both Bigs said they couldn't tread-water for 15 seconds, which is required to pass on to level 3, so I was thinking we'd just do level 2 again next year.

Drum roll...

All three passed (look at the bottom check mark)! I was so proud of them. So next summer, we will hopefully be back at Delano (I was underwhelmed with the instructors, the teaching style and the cleanliness of the facilities), and Mac will be in Preschool level 3 (he can't go into Level 1 until he is six or with special permission) and Korri and Finn will be in Level 3...which is in the deep end! Yikes!

Video of Mac jumping in: https://photos.app.goo.gl/c8MLCrvoMVD6T6PL8

Once they pass level 3, which may take a few tries, I told them they can stop with lessons. I just want to know that if they fall into the water, they can tread water or swim to safety. There are too many bodies of water in Minnesota to have them not know how to confidently swim.