(Dave blogging)
We had a Kidco Configure Gate-80 from back in the “old days” in the apartment (2000-2001), and it was built so well and worked so well we lugged it around with us for several years, thinking we’d use it again somewhere. We did use it a bit in our current house around late 2004-early 2005, while it was under re-construction. I set it up across a couple of 2-by-6 forms I threw together from scraps so it wouldn’t damage the wood in the living room entry. This kept the kiddies in the ‘safer’ non-construction area when we would visit the construction site.
Well, we have an exercise machine in the bonus room, and the kids will hear me on it and come in to inspect my agonizing plight. The older ones are probably OK, but there are some moving parts that look like they’d be horrific finger-chewers if the younger tykes got too close. So I’ve been thinking of a way to create a non-permanent barrier to give me just a foot or two clearance from the machine. I finally pulled out the old baby gate and measured it off…UGH! (an interjection) it was about 5-6′ too short. So I examined it for clues to its model and manufacture and hopped on the web. I wound up buying a second 6′ G80 gate, plus a 24″ extension (which I wasn’t positive I needed, but did not want to go drilling holes in the wall and then coming up short–it was a worth guess, I needed it.). It’s a pretty easy thing to use and connect (although I think I remember being a little confused as to which way to hang the wall-connectors last time), and it works well. I had the think up in under 45′, despite having to tinker a bit and realize I needed to remove a section to make it all work. Anyway, I am much more content knowing the little ones will not be getting at any flywheels or shredders while I am working out. Here’s the manufacturer’s information link, if you are interested:
KidCo Products
You can purchase it through Amazon.com or other vendors. I think their other products look pretty solid as well. I’ve seen other makers’ baby gates, and they look pretty flimsy. KidCo’s have been good and solid with attention to detail in design.
So, we installed the gate, and danced with abandon (after the kiddies were down for bed, mind you). We’ve been working on Rumba and Cha-Cha tonight, but worked on Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, and Rumba on Monday with Lorenzo from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Sharon Amity Road near Independence. He’s an outstanding instructor, although we do miss our regular instructor, Mickie, as she recovers from foot surgery.
I will say one thing: I mentioned in an earlier blog that the “triple dance practice” (we play the same song three times in a row) may be too long to practice one type of dance–this is not true when the children are in the room. We are trying to train them to sit and read or play quietly while we practice dancing. It did not work too well tonight, so three songs was about what it took to practice a few moves for each style. It also did not work too well a couple of weeks ago when our babysitter got a flat tire and we had to take the kids with us for a lesson. After that, we determined we’d train them to put up with us practicing for 30 minutes. Progress is slow, but sometimes you can only expect small miracles from day to day.
I know it can be done. I have trained #5 (at one year old) to be able to sit on my lap while I work on the keyboard and not touch it. It takes about 3 days, with a 1-hour session each day. I sat her on my lap without worrying how much typing I actually got done. I was more focused on watching her, and gently putting her hands in her lap and saying “no” each time she reached for the keyboard or mouse, and giving her a “good girl” praise each time she controlled herself and did not touch the keyboard (placing her hands on the desk, or just plain whiffing). She really responded rapidly and well, although she still needs one or two rounds of “no” and “good girl” each new time I put her on my lap in front of the computer. I didn’t think it was going to work at first, but then Robyn challenged me by telling me how her girlfriend did it in 3 days–she knows I am a sucker for a challenge.
So I just hope I am up to the challenge of training 5 at once to restrain themselves from wreaking total havoc for 30 minutes while we dance…
Dancing from Charlotte
