Go Climb A Wall

Last Saturday when our family was in Estes, most of the group went to the Sportsman store for indoor rock climbing. This is one of the traditions that the kiddos have latched onto, since we've been going up there. Just look at the expressions of all our grands and you'll know how much they love rock climbing. Also, it is humorous- but the ones who don't like being roped on, will willingly and enthusiastically do "boulder hopping" which is simply climbing without a rope on lower sections of a wall. Go figure!

Our two oldest granddaughters ended up tackling a very difficult climbing area; of course their dads and Papa were telling them they could reach the handholds, just to stretch a little further.

Papa having fun with his grands!

Old oldest grandson climbs like a spider, so fast and easily; he probably inherited that from me.  Seriously, I was called a mountain goat and a spider because I could climb up a rock face in record time.

Normally I would go to cheer everyone on and supervise, but I stayed at the condo to rest so our Kim took over my duties.

I hope all the kiddos continue to climb and enjoy it.  You don't see kids climbing trees or fences these days or walking 6' fences anymore(like I did), so I'm thankful this is available to them.

Another granddaughter who doesn't like to climb, took over taking photos-love this pic.

I've already gone for a walk, increased it by about 1/4 mile; got to say it feels so good to get out and walk each day.   My bike is sitting in the garage waiting for met to climb on, however I think it will be another month at least before I feel comfortable doing that. Yesterday I drove to the grocery store; my doctor had cleared me to drive as soon as I was off of pain meds.  I will say I was really tired by last evening.
I hope you have a fantastic Thursday and find reasons to be thankful.
Joy to you!
Noreen

Go Climb A Wall

Happy Wednesday friends, Last night a rock climbing class began and although we have four grands that will be taking the class, three were sick-so just our Miss S was there. It's been at least six months since she took a class at the rec center, but you couldn't tell. She seems to have grown so much, almost as tall as me.

Little Man is such a cutie and loves to pose for photos.

It was such fun to watch her scale up the walls.  Can't wait to see the other three climbing next week.
I also found out that at least three, maybe four, girls will be taking Irish clog dancing in the New Year. If they allow adults in the class, I may just have to take it;  since I was an avid folk dancing while in high school and college and I'm 100% Irish, it would be such fun.  We'll see.
I hope you have a wonderful day today.
Hugs,
Noreen

Go Climb A Rock

Happy Wednesday to you. I am out and about today, looking for majestic colors of fall. I wanted to share some fun pictures with you. Almost all of our grands, except the very youngest ones, have taken indoor rock climbing classes. This last Monday was the final night of our two granddaughters' class, so of course hubby and I had to go. You all may remember that in college I was a rock climber; I absolutely loved it, but it was one hobby that went by the way. You can imagine how it thrills my heart to watch our grands climb. Here is Miss F, almost 9; she is a natural climber and really enjoys it.

This is Miss O, she will be 7 in a few months. 

This next move is called a Dead Hang, because as you can see, you are simply hanging by your hands. Miss F is amazing; she was able to hang, just like she is in the pic, for 2 min. 28 seconds.  People, do you know how long that is?! For those of us moms, we remember how long one minute was when we were in labor.  She last more than twice as long as the other students. 

A bit harder for little sister, but I imagine she'll be catching up to her big sister soon.

I am so proud of all of our grands for taking these classes, at different times; I'm especially proud of those who don't enjoy climbing and conquered their fear.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Noreen

Childhood Fun

As I mentioned yesterday, on Saturday the kids all went to the Mountain store in Estes that has a rock wall. If you are at all squeamish about heights, you may want to leave now, I'll understand. There are many activities the grands could do that I'd flinch at, but this isn't one of them; I love rock climbing! I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves.

This photo below, is Miss A, who is just three years old; I believe it was her first climb.

Below is an overhang-an obstacle that I really disliked when I used to climb. Of course, there weren't climbing walls when I was young-just rocks.

Pretty amazing.

It is hard to tell on the photo below, but the wall actually protruding out at an angle so you need to really lean back.  This wall was the second most difficult in the gym-our boy just flew up it.

We all had so much fun together; I loved watching my grands climb, so proud of all of them and they all had a great time.
Here in our town, we have one small wall; I think the kiddos have already outgrown it. Above, it our oldest grandson-almost a teenager. He excels at this sport, is built perfectly for it and just scales up the wall.  My family and friends used to say I climbed like a mountain goat; I can say the same about him.
We are off to Trader Jo*s this morning; I hope you have a great day!  Remember scale those mountains in your life.
Seize The Day!
Noreen

Boulder Hopping

Our oldest granddaughter, Miss S, age seven has been taking rock climbing lessons this summer. They are held at our recreation center on an indoor climbing wall. Last night was the last lesson and they began with what is known as Boulder Hopping. Miss S does like to get somewhat high on the wall; she has mastered this skill.

This is a free hang-I can't remember what the technical term is but you get the idea.  The teachers time the kids to see how long they can hang-usually it is between a minute and two minutes.  I think know the boys have an added advantage in this skill.
It is so fun to see our grands rock climbing because when I was in college, I loved it.   I was so skinny and small, I could just fly up the rocks; of course at that point there wasn't any such thing as a climbing wall.  Heights have never been an issue for me, except two years ago when we were painting the outside of our house and I got vertigo-you couldn't get me up a ladder.

I hope you have a wonderful day today and try something you haven't done before-maybe a latte or mocha or sushi.  Just kidding.
Sending laughter your way!
Noreen