extra-curricular activities & playgroup

Recently, Jerry and Aaron attended various activities to better spend their time outside of home and/or school. Their behavior tells us that they have totally different personalities, like, totally.

Jerry and Aaron had both been to Kindermusik, respectively, when they were under 1 year-old. Jerry had continued until he became too heavy for us to hoist and swing so, he attended Gymboree for his muscles to do some work. At two years old, he went to playschool on a daily basis which displaced the need for playgroup.

Aaron had to stop going last spring due to widespread influenza among young kids. Later, we were too busy with moving house and settling in to resume his playgroup. Besides, we always reasoned that he had all the company he needed in his older brother and Cousin Jasper who lived down the street.

Baby Jasper has since moved away much farther away than down the street and Jerry is not at home long enough during the day to keep Aaron sufficiently entertained. There are at least two times in the day that Aaron would get his shoes and try to leave the apartment, with or without adult company. Desperate to let him vent off all that energy, I tried the playgroup recently opened on the podium floor of our building. That was a really structured and "teaching" playgroup that perhaps kids of Jerry's age and older would have liked. Although their alleged target group is from 18 months onwards, Aaron could not stay on his behind long enough to take in all the info being offered (i.e. the weather, the letters in his name, identifying colors and sticking letters of his name on paper outlines...). Worst of all, the "teacher" did not know the words to the songs she was singing to the kids!

I wanted to keep playgroup close to home so that there is less hassle. The failed trial class downstairs has forced Aaron to go farther away. This week, Aaron gave Gymboree a try. Since he hasn't yet developed the ability to stay still and listen to instructions (only very rarely does he choose to do so), it seemed reasonable that he would really enjoy a large space with lots of climbing apparatus (he climbs up and slides down all by himself on the slides, something which Jerry only managed to comfortably do at past age 2.5 years). Once inside, Aaron could not stop! Running, climbing on anything remotely climbable, sliding down slides and non-slides and touching everything that he passed, and shouting "baaalll" whenever he saw one. In contrast, Jerry would always be very cautious before every move, whereas, Aaron did not have a care in the world. Kelvin and I honestly think that Aaron can be a pro-something or another (preferably, pro-footballer (not American)).

Jerry tried a music class today that is run by Kindermusik. He was shy when he first met the teacher, but was ecstatic from the moment he entered the room and did not care that I would pop out during his one hour lesson. He is fascinated with musical instruments and was genuinely interested in the orchestral music that he listened to. His conclusion after that lesson was that he wants to buy a violin, not for taking lessons with, but just to own.... I think Jerry is more musically inclined as well as more of a "performance arts" type. He likes to sing and I think he has good pitch (thank goodness he got that from me!). Did I mention before that he is taking ballet lessons by his own choosing and actually enjoys himself? He has expressed interest in other activities too, such as badminton, after Kelvin offered to teach him. However, his interest quickly waned after he failed to hit the shuttlecock and he began to dance with the racquet instead. Also he wants to learn kung fu, after watching Kung Fu Panda...but I'll have to find one that is suitable for him and perhaps let him start this summer.

It is exciting to see how they will hone their interests into successful careers: one will be a pro-artiste and the other, a pro-athlete. HaHa! I crack myself up with this wishful thinking!