Swimming and Tumbling

I enrolled Christopher in seaweed/ tumbleweeds, a swim and tumbling combo class. He swims for a half hour with me, and then goes into the gym for a half hour to play. The class is really full I think a total of 18 kids. This is the first time he has ever been around so many kids. We took the swim portion of the class last year, but there weren't as many kids then.

The only bad thing is that both Christopher's swimming and Evie's preschool start at the same time. So we drop off Evie and head two blocks away to the YMCA. I have to be secretive because Evie loves to swim and would be jealous. I am going to see about getting her into classes for the next session. They said if she can follow directions and swim ok she can be in the 3 year old swim class. That class is without a parent. She usually doesn't let me touch her in the pool anyways! I just swim next to her so I'm there if she needs me. It will be hardest on me, watching her grow up way too soon!

When we first get into the pool Christopher clings tightly to me. Which is quite painful. Then after a bit he lets loose. I'm not allowed to let go of him yet, but we've only had 2 classes so far. The second class he wanted to face away from me more so he is getting more confident. The teacher always takes each child towards the end for a few minutes, and when she returns them to their parent she tells them to close their mouth and she puts them slightly under water. I wasn't to sure about this at first, but he didn't seem to mind to much. He doesn't like her taking him from me though!

After swimming we hurry up and get dressed to go to upstairs to the gym. The first time we walked into the gym Christopher's face lit up like Christmas morning. It was so cute. He was super excited. He did really well to. It's his first experience waiting in line, and it will take LOTS of classes before he gets it. He does not like the concept at all, but what 1 1/2 year old does?

He has been doing really well, and been nice to the other kids overall. He gets a little overwhelmed towards the end and gets kind of rough, but not to much. I think having so much open space to let loose helps him channel that energy elsewhere. He hugged a couple girls, and played with a couple little boys. Which usually consists of him sitting near them.

I am so glad I get to do this with him. He enjoys it so much, and I think it will help him alot.

Little Fish!

Today my brother and sisters all had a half day at school, plus the weather was nice for a change. So I decided to pick them up from school, get lunch, and take all the kids swimming. We went to McDonalds for lunch after ordering I realized I forgot my purse. Usually, I keep it in the diaper bag so this doesn't happen.

I asked if they could hold the order, after all I had ordered for 7 people and didn't really want to do it again. They told me "Yes." So I went home and got my purse. I returned thinking I would pay and go with food ready. No, I had to wait in line again and reorder, they can't hold orders. It wasn't that big of a deal except they told me "yes", and I had 5 hungry kids in the car. One 2 year old crying "french fries, mommy", and a 1 year old just crying! I was not thrilled.

We got our food went to my mom's house, ate, took care of the dogs, and went to the pool. All went reasonably well. Evie hadn't had a nap so she only wanted to swim for about 20 minutes, but then she got her second wind, the cranky wind! So then she didn't want to leave. After about 45 minutes of swimming I was done. I was exhausted.

Evie swam every where and hardly allowed anyone to help her. A couple moms asked me how old she was, and couldn't believe she wasn't even 2 yet. They figured she had been in a lot of swimming lessons, but really she has only taken 2 classes both times we missed a lot of classes!

Christopher on the other hand held onto my shoulder tight. He would splash occasionally. I swished him around the water in front of me a little, but he preferred to be held on my hip as close as possible. He did have a lot of fun though. After a bit he was blowing raspberries on my neck, which made all the kids in the pool constantly turn and stare. I know they were wondering who farted. Oh, well!

The hardest part was getting cleaned up after. All of us were cold. Christopher's lips were a blue or purple color. We all went into the handicapped shower. I turned on the warm water as soon as possible. Isaac and Abby washed off first and went to get dressed. Then I cleaned the kids and myself off. I got dressed while Christopher and Evie fought over the shower. It was one on a hose! They loved it. After that I dressed the kids, Christopher first while Abby watched Evie.

Finally we were done and ready to head home. We all had wet hair so I wanted to hurry to the car, but Evie didn't want to be carried! I was carrying Christopher already when I had to grab Evie with my other arm. She ended up being carried like a football to the car. I had to walk fast so I wouldn't drop her. I felt bad, but it was to cold out for wet hair.