CharlottesvilleFamily's BLOOM November 2017

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{inspiration parenting} the Goodbar family, where they spend far more time than they do at their actual home in Ruckersville. “We’re never home

year-round full day Ages 2 to Pre-K

together as a family,” Sarah says with a half laugh and half sigh. “For better or for worse this is home base. It’s a lot of sacrifice, but not many families have something that is an interest we all share.

Comprehensive curriculum, including:

Kung fu defines our sense of home.”

Spanish

they’ve been enrolled in since they were

Music

4 years old (the age when the school first

Physical Education

takes students) to do their homework, to

Indoor/Outdoor Playground

Laughing Dragon is where the children come after school to take the classes

play and to celebrate. Mia had a sleepover for her birthday at the studio.

Swimming

It was on Mia’s fourth birthday that she received her first kung fu uniform,

acac Adventure Central 200 Four Seasons Drive Charlottesville, VA 22901 434.978.7529

something she still remembers eight years later. In the grand tradition of second children, Izzy snuck into classes a little bit before her fourth birthday. But really, they began practicing Kung Fu before

acac.com

Live your best.

they were even born. Goodbar retains a strong visual memory of Sarah practicing at Laughing Dragon while she was eight months pregnant. When Mia talks about kung fu, it seems to be the sensory aspects of it that most excite her. She loves the Lion Dance, an intricate performance involving costumes, dancing and instruments. So in case you were thinking about messing with her, you might want to think again. She enjoys practicing with the weapons and wants to learn as many as possible; the spear is her next challenge. Sarah says, “Mia is getting to an age when I don’t look at her as a child doing a child’s activity. She’s a powerful fighter and an amazing teacher. I love watching her, and I wouldn’t want to tussle with her.” For

9-year-old

Izzy,

the

jumping

skills and jumping kicks are her favorite moves. Perhaps it’s because in addition to kung fu, Izzy is on an intensive program of

gymnastics

training

at

Classics

Gymnastics. Soon, the commitments of one sport will require her to cut back on the other. Though family members differ when discussing which path they think she’ll head down, even Izzy isn’t sure. Her mother says proudly, “Gymnastics may be where her heart lies, but it’ll be a tough decision because of the family

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November 2017


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