Jumping on the Bed

In "Fit Family" I talk about being creative with family exercise. Well, here's a new take on that. 

My three year old  just got a new mattress and box spring and as we were taking the old ones out of the house to the garage the kids asked if they could jump on them. For once, my husband and I gave the okay to jumping on the bed, not realizing that we had created  a make-shift trampoline in the back yard. 

The kids get sweaty pretty fast from jumping and have to take water  breaks. I've taken a few bounces myself and it's pretty fun. We start at the back steps, jump on the mattress, take a few high hops, and do a twist and dismount onto the grass combining gymnastics and half-pipe moves (not really, but we try).

The "trampoline" gets stored on the back porch every night and will be out of here when we get to the dump run on the weekend. Then we'll be back to more traditional forms of fitness.

Water Babes

August is slipping away, as it always does, and I've yet to write a blog entry! 

Here's where my fit family has been:

in the pool (shown here) or in the lake or reservoir.

It's been weeks since we've been on bikes or on a hike. We're capitalizing on the weather and getting in the water. Ava has been swimming through my legs underwater, making some major headway since her swimming lessons last month and Julia stays in the water right with her sister. I've been supporting Julia while she "swims" without her lifejacket.

It's amazing what constant practice does for skill level and confidence. I wish that my older daughter practiced her violin as much as she has been practicing swim skills. I guess I've got to help make it a habit and make it fun by playing games -- the key components of our water time.