Swimming and other things

Two weeks ago, the kids started up swimming lessons. To be honest, I wasn't sure how Collin would do being in a non-"parent & me" session and handling the deep side of the pool. The first 20 minutes of class are in the shallow(3-4 ft.) and the second 20 minutes are in the deep side(6 ft). The first few days, Collin had a really hard time. The second and third day I spent all but the last 5 minutes of each 20 minutes getting Collin in the water & staying in the water. I made quick acquaintances with the pool managers. I am happy to say that I am the only parent allowed to be all the way up next to the edge of the pool when I need to assist Collin--keeping him on task & being an extra set of eyes to make sure he does not let go of the pool.

By the end of the first week(each class lasts 2 weeks), Collin had decided he liked staying in the water. Now I just have to deal with keeping Collin on task & having a bored 2 year old--Brent just turned 2 on Friday. Drew was in Collin's class. Drew's done well enough to move up to the next swim level. Collin, no surprise, is in the same class as last week. He can do most things but won't put his head or face in the water without help. Ivy's doing well, as expected. This week, she's in a new class and actually learning new things.

Brent had his 2nd birthday on Friday. Thursday night I took Brent to Target to pick out a couple toys. Between the toy stimulus overload and close to bedtime--I didn't want to take all 4 kids if I could help it--we had some pretty serious tantrums. We finally(after over an hour) came home with a Lighting McQueen toy car that sticks out its tongue, a 5 pack of Hot Wheels cars, and a book about trucks. Tom got whisked away to a Scout campout, so we only saw him for about 30 minutes between Friday morning and about 2 pm on Saturday. He got a Funfetti(?) cake with homemade buttercream frosting--I almost had a cow that the cheapest storebought frosting was like $2 for a tiny thing. I drew Elmo on it. Didn't turn out as nice as I wanted, but it was still recognizable and enjoyed by all. I did some fingerpainting with the food coloring since I forgot to set aside some frosting. Whoops. Lesson learned.

Today, keeping the kids as busy as I can. I'm making some cheap wall art today. Probably will be done in a day or two. The tutorial is here  (click for link) and here is a picture of me doing a layout with a poster size frame. Ivy's silhouette looks funny, since she had a low ponytail and I was being nit-picky about Collin's looked larger than her head size. So I cut off the ponytail and taped it on higher. Then I photocopied it 104% a couple times to get it the right size.

Here's the original picture I had for Ivy.

More pics and video of the swim class & birthday up in a couple days.

Brief Update

It's been a whirlwind since I last posted. So many months, and gone in the blink of an eye.

Brent started crawling in time for Valentines Day(7.5 months old), and started walking at 10 months old(May). He didn't waste any time there. He also hasn't touched many baby toys since February either--why should he? The "big kid" stuff looks so much more fun! Brent is also climbing stuff. His latest obsession is to have us stack some really big foam blocks taller than he is & he comes charging them down. Last night, when the other kids were asleep this was going on for at least 10 minutes. Maybe the makings of a football player or wrestler? ;) His favorite word is "meh(more)," but he also says mama, dada, woo(imitating a vaccuum that's on) and nana(no-no, something he hears a lot!), and signs want, up & all done. He's just barely started taking a bottle & cup in the past few weeks--just in time to be weaned.

Let's see, Ivy did Girl Scouts from December thru June. She really enjoys being around other girls--obviously doesn't get much of that at home. She's also done swim lessons for 6 weeks this summer and can now swim short distances by herself. She's hit a whiny, lazy age and it bugs us, but honestly, I don't know if I could've made it thru this past year without her. She helps so much with Brent, almost from the get-go. She always has her nose in a book, and got the only "reading comprehension" award in her class at a special 2nd grade assembly I was invited to this spring.

Will finish posting about other things tomorrow, it's bedtime.