Do You Hula?

The other day I read that Michelle Obama hula hooped 143 times in a row. I think she was kicking off something that was supposed to encourage kids to exercise. I was in awe. 143 times! Wow! She's GOOD. I could never hula hoop. Not that I really tried much, growing up. But all I recall is the hoop falling straight to the ground. So I could just not get over 143 times. (Note: Jim did not find this fact nearly as fascinating. I have a bad habit of relaying bits and pieces of odd newspaper stories to him at the end of the day as he is trying to sleep. He really hates that.)

Then, coincidentally, over the weekend, Liam and Natalie and I happened to pop into a grocery store and Radio Disney was outside doing a little thing. They were playing music, and having a hula hoop contest for the kids. So of course I dragged them over to watch. And it was fascinating. A lot of the kids were young, and not very good. But there were about 3 girls, maybe 8-10 yr old range, who were SO good. They hardly moved their bodies at all (much unlike the jerky swinging back and forth I recall from my own attempts). Of course, Liam and Natalie did not want to try. Then after the kid contest, the DJ tried to get parents to try. About half the parents turned and left immediately. I wanted to leave too...the last thing I wanted to do was embarrass myself. But then I realized that I get frustrated when the kids don't try things because they are afraid to not be good. So I tried. And yes, I hula'd about 4 times in a row before it fell. But I made Liam and Natalie smile. And we all got consolation prizes that were cheap little white-board drawing things that the kids loved. And I went home feeling very good that I was a good example that day (and lately, I need a few examples of these).

So of course while birthday shopping for Natalie, I picked up a hula hoop. Supposedly for Liam and Natalie. But you know it was for me to practice. And the next time I picked it up, I tried to imagine how those girls moved, and I shocked the daylights out of Natalie and Liam (and oh yes, Jim) by being pretty darn good! Picture me now practicing in the bathroom at night before bed...and Jim trying too, because I make it look so easy. ha ha Jim does not have the right motion, and that's all I'm going to say. So now I've impressed my husband with my hula hoop skills. AND I'm ready for the next contest. Bring it on! (Still not going to challenge Michelle Obama though. I Googled video of her, and she is crazy good!!)

And NO I'm not posting video of myself.