Monday, October 28, 2013

A Fine Balance

Life is a balancing act. Both grands were working on their balance on Thanksgiving weekend.

Danica spent much of TG weekend learning to ride a two-wheeler. She didn't really want much help but just got on and worked and worked in the quiet dead end by the house. By the time we got there, she pretty well had it mastered. It isn't a long stretch, so turning around was a problem that was really slowing her down, but by the end of the weekend, she was doing oh so well. I was impressed with her determination and sticktoitiveness.


Meanwhile, little brother has been enrolled in hockey. As a Canadian lad, this is a good thing. But JJ is much more cautious about life and is the kind of guy who needs to warm up to something gradually. He was that way in swimming lessons this summer, dreading letting go. Toward the end of the two-week session, however, he did let go and surprised his teachers. Likewise, in these early days, he's way behind the other kids when it comes to skating, but hopefully, he'll soon get his bearings.

He looked good while still on dry land in shoes.

Steps were short and very hesitant.
Much time was spent alone both at and on centre ice.
He did receive much help and attention — to which he responded with reluctance.
The coaches even brought him to the net where he scored a goal.
Meanwhile, Danica ran about with great gusto.
These two children certainly respond to live differently. She jumps in with two enthusiastic feet, and he takes his sweet time warming up to new situations. There's room for both personality types, and I guess they'll both get where they need to go in the end.

9 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

they're so cute. reluctant hockey player is so TINY compared to that net!

Hena Tayeb said...

adorable. it is interesting how different they are sometime

Lorna said...

cheese and chalk---allocate where you dare.

Jackie said...

Danica and JJ are precious. I love the tenacity of Danica and the wise forethought that JJ has. Both are needed and I'm pretty sure they both have enough of each quality to get them where they need to be in life. They certainly are precious. Tell your sweet JJ that Mrs. Jackie is a retired teacher and that I cannot ice skate and how proud of him I am that he is doing so well. Give Danica a high five from me and tell her I hope she cherishes every second of her hair in the wind as she enjoys the ride that she has mastered. She is a fine young bicyclist. Hugs to both of them.
I love my Grands with all of my heart and so enjoy reading about yours, Anvilcloud.
J.

Anonymous said...

Is there anything cuter than a tiny hockey player? Adorable!

Mara said...

That one of him on the ice by himself (standing) looks so nice. And if the swimming is anything to go by, I bet he will be scoring real goals pretty soon!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks for the updates, John, which were missed. We will be seeing our own grands in a very short time and hopefully will have updates to post about too. It's so wonderful that you and Sue get to share in the achievements of both children.

Pearl said...

true enough. every route gets somewhere.

MARY G said...

Love your grandpa comments. And so true about sibling difference in approaches. Once he 'lets go', though, watch out. My grandkid is like JJ. I have a photo of her looking very small and still in the middle of a patch of ice. You should see her on the canal now - well, you don't see her, just a blur as she blazes by.