Swimming Lessons

they started off with many, many tears. lots of them. it took 2 and a half of the first 4 classes for them to turn off. tears quickly turned into defiance and manipulation, and it took everything within me to stay on the porch with the other parents so she couldn't see me!

but who can refuse a child a trip to the bathroom, whether it's out of avoidance or not. that is until you've taken her right before the class starts.

and that was it. there was no doubt in my mind that she didn't have to go. she knew she didn't have to go. and most importantly she realized there was nothing else she could manipulate about the situation and must have decided to make the best of it!

i was quite thankful, as i am sure were her teachers!

it's hard to know when to say no. when things move from legitimate fear of the unknown straight to defiance. and it's even harder to know when to put your foot down.

I signed Addie up for 2 weeks of 4 days each week of swimming lessons this summer. My goal? Not even for her to swim, but for her to be more comfortable in and around water.

And to respect it!

It started off with demands to hold a hand. And so Ms. Karen did.

but by the 2nd week, she was happily be-bopping her way up the diving board!

and stepping right off without holding a hand or even jumping to a hand!

and begging to jump off the side to her teachers! over and over and over.

i love the faces she makes as she jumps in!

the little girls even came with us one day...the hottest, muggiest, stickiest day! my lens kept fogging up!

now...the swimming was a completely different thing. her little bottom half is nothing but muscle and she just sank like a rock!

her teachers worked really hard with her to teach her to keep her legs up and kick, and she was very close by the end of the two weeks!

but it doesn't much matter to me whether she can swim or not. her confidence has skyrocketed! she loves to be in the water. and we ended the week with lots of smiles!

if you're on facebook, you've seen these. but here are two videos: the first from the first week and the second one from the second week.

what a difference a week makes! 

Today

Yes, Today! Actually today: Wednesday, July 15th.

Not yesterday. Not 3 days ago. Not 3 weeks ago!

It's been a long time since I've actually blogged about a day--the day of!

Today wasn't anything special. Nothing {too} monumental occurred.

I put my 50mm lens back on my camera. Not a first, but a {first} in a very long time when photographing our girls!

It started with breakfast, which involved a real {first}.

First time {successfully} eating with a spoon!

With a little help maybe.

Then off Addie and I went to her third day of swimming lessons.

Day 1: cried/screamed the whole 30 minutes but obeyed right away.

Day 2: cried/screamed the whole time and refused to do what she was asked, pitching a pretty big fit standing on the edge of the pool demanding to go to the bathroom to avoid jumping in!

Day 3: cried for the first half. refused to jump off the side (after she'd just jumped off a half dozen times to the main instructor) and demanded to go the bathroom. we'd just been, so I would not take her and informed her that she would need to straighten up...or else. stopped the crying. figured out she couldn't manipulate the situation. and check this out...

another {first}!

then it was off to lunch with friends.

back home for early naps/rest time. Addie's reward for straightening up and obeying right away at swimming lessons: rest time on the sofa with a dvd instead of nap in the bed. We'll see if she can earn some Nancy's tomorrow with no crying!

dishes. done. laundry load #2 and #3. diapers outside to dry. finished smocking a bubble.

everyone up way sooner than i'd prefer.

but worth it to see them play and smile!

great day.

great {average} day to remember and give thanks for!

And yeah...there were some pretty monumental things about it too!

Psalm 118: 1, 24

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

His love endures forever. 

...the LORD has done it this very day;

 let us rejoice today and be glad.

Pooltime Fun

I took these pictures almost 2 weeks ago! The babies have changed so much even in just that time! Since then, this pool has bit the dust due to Abbey's claws. Not to worry. We have a replacement that I found at 50% off! Whoohoo!

When we went to Allison's a few weeks ago, they had their pool up on their deck. Brilliant! At that time, we had millions of mosquitoes in our yard; so there was no putting a pool down there! (but we've had it sprayed since then). The 5 remaining mosquitoes all landed right on Anne Perry's head or my legs! But the deck works great! 

Abbey loves to attempt to get the toys out or drink the water. She's such a retriever!

Addie loves her pool! She loves to swim, blow bubbles, and dump water. And I love how serious she can be about it all!

The little girls sat outside with me while Addie was swimming (and I went through mail!). They were quite content with the breeze and being able to bounce a little. What precious personalities are emerging from these girls! Can you tell which one is a little more serious? Laid back?  

By the time we went inside, Audrey Kate was stripped to nothing but a diaper. But here was her take on the humidity. I'd have to agree!