The Gym and Such

I wish I had a different time to write. My kids take naps after lunch, and it is such an uninspired time for me. I wish I could blog while running or doing yoga... because that always seem to be when I have the most wonderful thoughts. I suppose it is something about all the blood flow that really gets my synapses firing. I usually come away from a run ready to change the world, or write a novel, or some other fantastic scheme. But, by the time I've showered, made lunch, diapered the toddlers, read two stories, nursed Georgia, cleaned the kitchen, and sat down at the computer, I have forgotten what all the fuss was about. Caffein to the rescue! Today it's Earl Grey because Smoochy absconded with half of the of the contents of the coffee pot in his thermos this morning!

Have I mentioned that I freaking LOVE the gym we go to? I have, but now I am going to tell you about it. (Mainly because I have forgotten all about the spiritual and amazing things I was meditating on earlier while running.) Sure, there is nothing that puts my very privileged life into better focus than pulling up to the fitness center in my cross-over SUV-thing and walking in with my two darling children. Once there, they go to their classes. Today Norm had basketball and Georgia did Tiny Tumblers! I either go to a class myself (usually yoga or pilates) or take a jog on the treadmill. Everyone around me is well dressed in matching sweats...not bought at Walmart. Ipods and ridiculously expensive sneakers abound. If I don't feel like working out, I can still go and use the whirlpool or sit in the sauna. Plus, what a luxury to be able to shower, shave, lotion, and apply mascara without interruption. The gym is the yuppy-mama mecca... and the truth is I LOVE IT. I feel a little dirty admitting it.

OK, so I don't dig the matching $100 gym outfits, the ladies wearing full make-up as they do their down-dogs, or the bitchy gossip I hear in the locker room. But, I love being able to go, work out regularly, shower, and know that my kids are having a blast while I do my thing.

Today a quick jog on the treadmill fit into my schedule best. I would rather be outside running with the BOB enjoying the last days of this gorgeous summer weather. But, then the kids are just sitting there, eating pretzels, and fighting over books. At the gym they are meeting friends and learning new skills. Every time I see one of the teachers leading a little line of three year-olds off hand in hand to go to a dance, tumbling, or other sports class it makes me happy that Norm is getting the opportunity to learn how to function in a group like that. We've been thinking and talking a lot about home schooling the kids recently, and this gym even offers daily, age-specific home schooling activities! (P.E. type stuff)

The kids love the gym. This is huge for me. Normy often comes home with wonderful art work that he's made. He never actually wants to leave. There are usually complaints from him when it is time to go. Georgia struggled a bit at first, but now she is over her separation-anxiety and having fun there too. The other day, when I dropped her off at the "Fun and Frolic Room" she charged off excitedly to go find her favorite doll before realizing that she hadn't said good-bye to me. She looked back with a impish smile, then turned on her heal and ran back to me crying, "Kiss! Kiss!" Once she was kissed it was back to the dolls!

So, after re-reading above I find myself wanting to hit delete on this boring post. Bla. Who cares if I love the gym? Big deal. But now I have spent time on it, and feel obligated to send it out into the world. Oh well. Here you go...

I'm going to go find my camera and see what I have on there from the weekend that may be able to save this post...

OK, this weekend:

I wore a long skirt, an apron, and baked bread.

This made me feel like maybe I wan't really a yuppy.

My favorite moment is when I take dough out of the oven after the first rise. Seeing what the yeast has accomplished always feels like witnessing magic.

Normy enjoyed a couple caterpillar visitors.

He was a boy-obsessed.

They have since been released into the woods to enjoy the rest of their days. He didn't get to keep them because I couldn't figure out what type of moths they would become, and therefore we couldn't find them the right leave to eat.

Georgia read her first novel.

Smoochy played with the children.

Trying to capture a photo of them was like trying to photograph a group of elusive and rare mountain gorillas. They were always one step ahead of my lens.

The end.