The Road Less Traveled

• May. 17, 2008 - The Great Outdoors

With all of this warm weather, we have been able to hold outdoor fencing classes again.  Yay!  With the exception of waaaayyy too many biting flies, it has been great. As you can see, the last practice began with some very serious and formal warmups: Fencing is a sport that requires constant physical conditioning, which can be accomplished in many ways.  Here, the class demonstrates jumping up from a kneeling position and racing to the dandelions.  In addition to this, as shown above, dog-piling the instructor is used to hone strength and coordination. Our four-legged assistant instructor is fitting right in:

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• Oct. 27, 2007 - Amazing progress

When this class first started, we were not sure that the kids would like it enough to stick with it.  They enjoyed watching sword-fighting movies, such as "The Princess Bride", but none of them had ever attended a fencing class.  My husband and I were concerned that the kids would get bored when they realized that this sport (at least, in the beginning) requires drill after mind-numbing, muscle-burning, joint-aching drill. I am happy to report that those students have stayed with the class.  They work hard and constantly show a great deal of enthusiasm.  Rarely is a complaint uttered, except in jest. Each of them has come such a long way!  It is a pleasure to watch them try to skewer the daylights out of each other...I mean, spar. Good job, guys! Contrary to popular belief, Zorro is not a fictional character... Zorro, Jr. (number one) and friend Zorro, Jr. (number two) Who needs toys when you have several tons of leaves to play in? My feet are still there, right? Big brother is missing from this picture- I'll get him next time!

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• Oct. 19, 2007 - Fencing class

Here are some photos from today's fencing class.  The large man pictured in some of the photos is my husband, who teaches the class.  Others pictured are parents and siblings of the students.  Most of the class was, unfortunately, held indoors because of bad weather.  I will post more outdoor photos another time. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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• Oct. 15, 2007 - En garde!

Before having children, I never would have believed that small children (including toddlers) can learn to fence.  My six year old has been doing it for a little over a year and spars with other kids in the class that my husband teaches.  He has learned the basics and is now moving into more difficult territory.  My two year old "started" around the same time as his brother.  He knows how to advance, lunge and do point drills with a tennis ball- accurately!  These two constantly amaze me with what they can learn to do.  It really is true that children can learn just about anything when given the proper attention!  I am so grateful that we can homeschool.  It gives us the opportunity to realize more of our children's interests and potential.

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