Swimming Lessons 2009

We survived another year of swimming lessons. This year was kind of a cold weather summer and it was an outdoor pool. A really persuasive person talked me into changing my time slot for lessons and I think it worked to our advantage. This year only had a few hot days and we got very lucky. Plus, I didn't have to feel like I was melting (like I did the year I was pregnant with Rebekah and chasing Leah around the park).

Daniel was in a Level 4 class, Nathan - a Level 2, and the girls - Level 1. Leah barely passed her level and the rest will be repeating theirs. As long as we don't go broke by then (it was $160 for four kids and 9 days).

Here are some pictures of the the kids. I'll let you try to figure out who is who. My apologies to those who don't really know my kids. But if that's the case, you likely aren't all that interested in this post anyway. :)

Equality

On the last day of swimming lessons over two weeks ago, Leah sliced two of her fingers on the edge of the slide (she was holding on tight because she didn't want to go down!). One finger healed; the other didn't.

I took her to the doctor today to get some help for her and she was given an antibiotic (she has a skin infection). When I gave her the medicine tonight, Rebekah wanted some too.

She said, "I cut my finger on the slide at swimming lessons. I goed to the doctor."

Well, she was unsuccessful at convincing me that she should get some medicine so she went to plan B. Leah has some first aid ointment (think Neosporin) on her finger and a band aid. Rebekah helped herself to some first aid ointment. I'm not sure where she got any on herself, but I'm sure that the counter, floor and several handles in the bathroom will be protected from infection.

I love my children, dearly...

...but I'm looking forward to school starting in less than a month.


Seriously. I think they've discovered every known way to annoy each other and even created a few new ones. They are all expert at reacting in such a way that the untrained listener would be sure to think they were suffering mortal injury. So I must seem like a very cold person when I snap at them to knock it off, stop crying and do they need a nap? (I'll have theirs if they don't want it.)


We just completed two weeks of swimming lessons where Nathan FINALLY passed Level 1. I was putting him in Level 2 next year, regardless of the outcome, but it's nice to know he really is ready. (I mean, come on, it was his 3rd year in that class!) Daniel passed Level 3 for the second year in a row. This year he was a little taller and able to let go of the wall...always a plus. Leah will repeat Level 1 (again) but since she's only 4, it isn't a big deal. Rebekah will start lessons next year and they can be in the class together.

We also made our first trip to Rigby Lake on Thursday. We've been here for 4 years now and this was our first trip there. The kids had a TON of fun. Their Scandinavian mother kept fretting over the sun exposure they were getting and checking her watch. Of everyone, Joseph got the sunburn (I got a bit, too) and he was the one parked in the shade most of the time! I have to assume that it bounced off the sand and sneaked up on him because he really wasn't out enough to get burned...which is why I didn't bother slathering sunscreen on him. Oh well. Five kids and I'm still figuring it all out.

We went with some friends, which is why you might not recognize a couple of those kids.

And this last picture makes me smile. You can see it was Rebekah taking the picture. I can't help but think of the verse: Alma 5:14 Have ye received his image in your countenances?

Only 25 days of summer to go!

I will be so glad when Daniel goes back to school! It is going to be so quiet around here. It's going to be weird in the morning while Nathan is gone, too. The girls will really become better playmates (or stronger enemies).

While I love my oldest son, most fights involve him and it will be nice to have a break. I can't figure out why he can't leave anyone alone. It's apparently in his blood to be obnoxious. Ninety percent of the time, I can end a fight by yelling his name.

And then the next thing I know, he's helping out in a big way and seeming very mature.

He felt like a big kid during his swimming lessons these past two weeks. He was in Level 3 (no more life jackets for anything). I thought I was getting him caught up to his peers, but there were 4th and 5th graders in his class as well as a 1st grader. I guess I won't worry about Nathan still being in Level 1 next summer as a 6 year old.

Daniel was the shortest kid in his class and the only one the instructors had to "catch and release" since he couldn't touch the bottom on his own. He passed, though. I teased him that he must be the shortest person to ever pass Level 3. He even dove off the diving board for the first time. Here is the clip.

Here are some other shots of Daniel in the pool (or about to be in the pool).

About three weeks ago, we started reading scriptures before bed each night. The kids have been really excited about it (thankfully). We're not doing anything fantastic. We read one verse each, with Nathan and Leah repeating their verses after Chad or I read them aloud for them. Daniel has really likes being able to read by himself. Truthfully, we probably wouldn't have started scriptures at all if he couldn't read.

We also have family prayer before bed (and in the mornings when we remember). Leah usually prays that we won't fight or hit or kick or scream. (A little insight into our emotional states.) Nathan still includes B when he lists family members by name. Rebekah has started to say her prayers by her bed. If she does, it's when someone kneels down by her and tells her what to say. Then she says, "uh" for each part. Funny.

I get to teach in Relief Society again tomorrow. I haven't lost nearly as much sleep this month as I did last month. Am I a veteran already or have I just stopped caring? All the same, it will be nice when it's over.

It has been over 90 degrees most of the month. We've been well above our average. I realize that most of my faithful readers will not feel sorry for me as they have been above 100 several times. But many of you have AC and are not pregnant. I am fondly anticipating September!

We still have one ornery cat to give away. Anyone interested?

A boring update

At least it seems boring to me. That's partly why I haven't posted anything for a while. I can't get excited enough by my life to consider it good reading for anyone else. But here I go anyway. I apologize in advance.


The kids finished swimming lessons on the 21st. Daniel passed Level Two and will be starting Level Three next Monday. Nathan did not pass his 2nd attempt at Level One. He just wouldn't float. I think he has trust issues. Leah did not pass her 1st attempt at Level One. I didn't expect her to. I was surprised she made it through the whole class since we almost dropped out after the 3rd day. Nathan and Leah can wait until next summer to try again. Rebekah faithfully accompanied me to the bleachers to watch every day.





On the last day of lessons, they all got to jump (or be dropped) off the diving board and go down the water slide. Leah only felt it necessary to go down the slide once. I'm glad I got a picture! (Though now I see that this Daniel, not Leah.)





I have been crocheting a blessing afghan for the baby. I got halfway through it and then started over because the matching (no dye lot) yarn I got for the second skein didn't match in color (white) or texture. So I have a lot of practice on that.

I did finally get back to my quilting frame. I quilted for about an hour and a half the other night. I stood back and couldn't see much progress. Very discouraging.

I finally made it back into my sewing room and finished the next quilt block for the year. This is June's. Here it is. Kind of weird colors. Definitely unique.

I have mostly made it through my morning sickness. (As evidenced by my recent return to quilting and sewing.) I have even started making menus and cooking again! It's a miracle! I still get really tired at inconvenient times. What is convenient? Bedtime would be good. That's usually when I can't sleep.

I got a new calling at church, too. I was a grouchy beast all through my morning sickness and just as I start feeling better and nicer, they release me! Now I teach the 4th Sunday lessons in Relief Society. These are the Teachings For Our Times lessons which come from the most recent General Conference talks. This means that there are no suggested discussion questions.

My first Sunday in RS was the Sunday I got to teach for the first time. To make it even more exciting, I was finishing up a project that I'd already started with my Primary class...Sharing Time. So we presented our lesson in Primary, then I walked across the hall to the RS room for my next big performance. I was glad when that day was over. I sat in RS yesterday and it felt weird. I was only out for about 13-14 months. It must be really weird to return after years in Primary or Young Womens!

I'm probably missing something else really exciting that I've been up to, but I'm sure we'll all survive without knowing about it.

Swimming Lessons

Daniel, Nathan and Leah have been in swimming lessons for 7 days now.

We had a rocky couple of days with Leah, but she's doing much better. She has to pass though a little space with showers and they terrify her, so getting in and out of the pool is rough. Otherwise, we've been able to convince her that swimming is fun and she's good at it. Heck, she's only 3. We aren't expecting her to even pass the class.

This is Nathan's second time in the Level One class. He's doing better, but I'm still not sure he'll pass. We'll see on Thursday. I don't think he trusts himself or the swimming teachers too much.

Daniel's in Level Two and thinks he's good enough to quit going to lessons. He already knows how to swim 2 ways! I occasionally remind him that if he was so great, they would have moved him up to Level Three. There are at least 5 levels.

The weather has been pretty cool, so the kids often have blue lips by the time they get out. They probably can't even tell that the pool is heated.