Swimming Lessons: Part 2

Ellie completed her first set of kid-only swimming lessons and she passed onto the next level! 

Having been a swimming teacher for many, many years, I know I am a pickier than the average parent and I was super impressed with the program put on by the Clive Aquatics Center.   Ellie's teacher, Alex, was amazing with the little kids and made great progress with each and every one of them over the 8 days of lessons.

I am also in love with the Clive pool for young kids!  The zero depth entry pool is a decent size and there are lots of different things for the little ones to do.   On Friday afternoon we went to the Ankeny Aquatics Center, and while it was very nice (I liked the bathrooms better) and had more for all ages, the Clive one is superior in my mind for young kids (and closer location-wise for us).  We have yet to go to the WDM Aquatics Center (it is on our list of things to do before it closes), but I have heard it is more for older kids since it has a lot of slides.

Now that Ellie is done with lessons, she can:

- hold her breath under water for over 10 seconds (the first time she did this I lifted her out of the water because I was a little scare since she was under for so long)
- float on her tummy unassisted for a few seconds (after a little assistence to start)
- float on her back with a little assistence (she could do it on her own, she just tenses up when you move your hands away)
- kick with a kick-board by herself (her favorite--- enough so we went out and got her a kick-board)
- retrive items off the bottom of the pool (completely submurged)
- jump into the pool by herself (although she prefers to jump to someone)
- go under water when she jumps in
- do the beginning stages of the front crawl arms with her front float

I am hoping to sign her up for one or two sessions next summer depending on our vacation schedule and if she can do lessons through day-care!

Here are a few pictures from lessons.   I forgot the real camera, so these are from my phone (and maybe not the best).  

 To celebrate being done with lessons, Ellie got to pick where we would go out for lunch.   She picked "Old McDonalds."

Love my little fish!!!

5 on Friday

1. The theme of last Saturday was Super Hero Birthday Parties!   We had two of them to go to and had a blast at both.  Happy birthday to Henry and Collin!

2. Sunday Ellie had a play-date with a couple girls from day-care.  She loves her play-dates (because she must not get to see them enough 5 days a week at day-care) and is always sad to go. 

3. I signed Ellie up for dance lessons this week!   She wanted to do gymnastics (because a boy at day-care takes gymnastics during nap-time and she wanted to as well), but I thought a dance class with some tumbling might be a better option for my little girl that is not all that adventurous.   We went and picked up shoes and some gear, and are inheritting some dance items from cousin Natalie (Thanks, Katie!).

4. Our garden is producing food!  And lots of it!   There is nothing like walking into your backyard to pick some lettuce for a side salad or grab some beans for a side.  If only the herbs had survived (maybe Ellie and Mommy should have watered them--- oops.)

5. Ellie had her second week of swimming lessons this week.  Today is the last day since we have a make-up day from last week.  She still loves the lessons (and the water), although it is a little hot for me being out there in my work clothes (aka: long pants).

Swimming Lessons

Ellie started swimming lessons last week.  She loves them and adores her teacher.  She may get a little distracted and waves to Mommy every once in a while.  But overall I can see that it is making a difference.  She is going under water by herself and really loves to kick.   I think she will be sad when they are over on Friday.

The Tri Cheer Squad

Cheese!

5 on Friday

1. Nick and I had a fun time in Wisconsin last weekend.   We hit up two Dave Matthews Band concerts, did a little tailgating, swam in the lake and camped.   I am not much of a camping person, but one weekend a year I can survive.

2. The girls had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa Greving's house.   Ellie was crying on the way home because she didn't want to leave.   From the sounds of it, the girls kept Grandma and Grandpa busy, and Grandma and Grandpa kept the girls busy.

3. Ellie started swimming lessons this week!  Since the evening lessons do not work with bedtime, I am taking an early lunch and taking her to them during the day.   She loves them and is doing really well.

4. Neve had her 15-month well baby check-up on Thursday.   She is doing great and the Dr. was surprised that she is already using a spoon! (I am too, but she does really, really well with it). 

5. Ellie was really excited to get back home and play with her neighbors.  After dinner on Sunday night we told her she could go outside and play.  Her response was, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" with a little jumping up and down.   The kid loves her neighbors!

5 on Friday

1. We stained the deck last weekend!   We wanted the UV protection you obtain thru staining, but wanted it to be as natural looking as possible.   We went with a cedar color  (which is the type of wood our deck is made of) and I think we ended up with exactly what we wanted!   It is very natural and looks similar to a brand new deck vs. a stained deck.  Nick (not the fan of painting/staining) kept an awesome attitude throughout the whole process (given it was my idea to stain the deck) and Neve took at 4+ hour nap so we got most of it done while she was sleeping.  Ellie was our supervisor after she woke up from her nap.  She kept asking if we were almost done...  

2. Excluding the deck staining, we had a low keep weekend and focused on having us girls recover from our colds.  Nick, of course, started his cold on Sunday afternoon.   He has been pretty miserable this week.

3. Ellie and I had a lunch date on Wednesday.  I love being able to have that one-on-one time with her and it is so convenient with day-care being in the same building as me!

4. Neve and Ellie are on vacation at Grandma and Grandpa's house!  I am sure they are having a great time and being spoiled!

5. We are on our way to Wisconsin for Dave Matthews Band concerts!   I think this is the 5th time we have gone to the two day concert event at Alphine Valley.   We have always gone with the Beltman's and this time there will be 5 couples total.  Oh, did I mention that we are camping???  The only time Nick can get me to camp!  Should be a fun time.