It never stops and now I am about 3 months behind in getting pictures uploaded! My evening picture upload/blog time has taken second fiddle to working out, so my apologies.
Two weekends ago we took a quick trip to the Nickelodeon Suites hotel (http://www.nickhotel.com/). It wasn't the most luxurious digs in the world (or the roomiest considering it was a "suite") BUT it was a great place for families. There were two separate pool areas, and both had a separate little kids area and some great water slides. The bigger "Oasis" pool had five or six slides and what was nice was they didn't empty into a big pool. It was a separate structure and the slides ended in little water troughs so non swimmers like Gavin had no problem. In the smaller "lagoon" pool the slides did end in the pool, but he had to wear a life jacket (wasn't tall enough to ride without it). Of course he needed it anyway, but he wore that and we would stand just outside the ropes at the end of the slide and when he came down go in a grab him.
By the end of the trip he was having a great time in the life jacket working on his swimming skills. Sam also loved the water although he wasn't a fan of life jackets. There were plenty of fun kiddie areas to keep him entertained, which was good b/c when he was in the main pool with us he had no fear. He thought he could just get on his belly and take off swimming.
The weather was great except for rain on Sunday and the pools were closed the better part of the day. Gavin and Chad ended up going to the arcade and checking out all the movies in the 4D movie theater. Think 3D with movie seats and confetti thrown at you and water squirting you in the face. Fun right? The cost of the theater was really reasonable, $12 for an unlimited pass and the features were about a half hour long each, so good for a kids attention span.
While they were seeing shows, Sam and I were stuck in our tiny suite - without the pools there wasn't much there for little guys to do. He was messing with my phone and stumbled upon the "smooth latin" ring tone and started dancing all over the room. And just like that a dance party to my cell ring tones errupted. It was so much fun!
The last morning we were there, we went to the character buffet breakfast, and the kids got to see Sponge Bob, Dora, Blue, Little Bill, and Aang, the Airbender. Gavin was skeptical and asked a lot of questions about how real they were. He's at that age where I think he wants to believe they are the real deal but knows better. Sam didn't know what to think. He has a phobia of some stuffed animals, but he handled these guys pretty well. Oddly enough, he liked Aang the best!
What else? The kids didn't sleep on either flight, but they did really well. Gavin got "slimed" in a mass sliming by the pool. We wore soggy suits b/c the ventilation was really poor in the room and they never dried. Food prices at the resort were a lot more reasonable than I thought. And unless you are planning on renting a car, two and a half days in plenty long for a trip there. Pictures to come. Hopefully before our next (as yet unplanned) vacation.
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Swimming Lessons
I'm so proud of Gavin. Swimming has become increasingly a source of fear and tears over the last two years. After a horrible attempt at group lessons last year (Gavin wouldn't get off the wall) I knew private lessons were the way to go. And how fortuitous that I got an email from a mom on our soccer team with info about a friend of hers giving lessons at their pool this summer!
The mom is in the water and oversees the lessons. Kids from the Johnston High swim team work one on one with the kids and she kind of guides them as to what things to work on. After telling her how frightened Gavin was of the water, the plan was simple: make it fun and get him past his fear. Actual swimming was secondary!
The weeks leading up to this every time I told Gavin what was coming up, and what to expect - he burst into tears. So imagine my surprise when, upon arriving at the pool the first day (we got there a few minutes early to observe the kids in the session before us) Gavin announced to the lady "I'm not afraid of the water anymore".
And so it was. By the second lesson he was jumping off the diving board and kicking his way all across the pool with a noodle. He loves it and is begging for me to sign him up for more sessions (and oh I will!).
I can't say he's a natural, but not ever having been a big swimmer myself, I'm not sure if there are kids that just "get" swimming. Baseball, soccer, I would say he's pretty much a natural. Swimming - well, he's trying very hard. But as I watch, I can't get rid of the image of Phoebe from Friends and her crazy, flailing run. That's a bit what his swimming looks like.
The one thing about Phoebe was that even though she looked crazy, she took tremendous joy in running. And that's what I'm seeing when I watch Gavin in the water now: tremendous joy. And for that I think these lessons are an amazing success!
The mom is in the water and oversees the lessons. Kids from the Johnston High swim team work one on one with the kids and she kind of guides them as to what things to work on. After telling her how frightened Gavin was of the water, the plan was simple: make it fun and get him past his fear. Actual swimming was secondary!
The weeks leading up to this every time I told Gavin what was coming up, and what to expect - he burst into tears. So imagine my surprise when, upon arriving at the pool the first day (we got there a few minutes early to observe the kids in the session before us) Gavin announced to the lady "I'm not afraid of the water anymore".
And so it was. By the second lesson he was jumping off the diving board and kicking his way all across the pool with a noodle. He loves it and is begging for me to sign him up for more sessions (and oh I will!).
I can't say he's a natural, but not ever having been a big swimmer myself, I'm not sure if there are kids that just "get" swimming. Baseball, soccer, I would say he's pretty much a natural. Swimming - well, he's trying very hard. But as I watch, I can't get rid of the image of Phoebe from Friends and her crazy, flailing run. That's a bit what his swimming looks like.
The one thing about Phoebe was that even though she looked crazy, she took tremendous joy in running. And that's what I'm seeing when I watch Gavin in the water now: tremendous joy. And for that I think these lessons are an amazing success!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
What we've been up to
Wow, is life ever busy - we've even had to call for reinforcements this week to get everything done. (How the heck do people that don't live near families/helpful grandma's do it anyway?)
Last week Gavin had track & field camp thru Johnston Community Ed Mon - Thurs. I love these programs because it's an inexpensive way to get kids exposure to all these different sports. Gavin, of course, loved it, and is now enamored with relay races and the long jump. They even had these kids throwing 2 lb shot puts!
Sam had week 2 with the nanny coming to our house and seems to be adjusting well. His little girlfriend started coming this week and they just have a blast together. He wanted to go to sleep at 6:15 every night which I soon discouraged when I learned he would then wake at 7:30 and party til after 10. He has become quite willful and opionated (read: naughty) so we are starting to deal with the terrible toddler's (since terrible 2 is a misnomer - starts way earlier and doesn't stop at 3!)
This weekend was the Johnston Green Days celebration so we spent time at the parade and the carnival. Sam had a bit of a rough time at the parade - sitting still is not his strong suit and he didn't really understand the point of catching candy - he just wanted to run into the street.
This week swimming lessons start for Gavin. He is just terrified of the water, so hopefully these one on one lessons are what he needs to get over that. It's also the last week of baseball games, so we have an activity every day Mon - Sat. At this rate, summer will be over before we know it!
We also just booked tickets to Orlando's Nick Suites Resort. We are just taking a quick vacation before summer is over and it looks like a blast for kids - no need to leave the resort.
Last week Gavin had track & field camp thru Johnston Community Ed Mon - Thurs. I love these programs because it's an inexpensive way to get kids exposure to all these different sports. Gavin, of course, loved it, and is now enamored with relay races and the long jump. They even had these kids throwing 2 lb shot puts!
Sam had week 2 with the nanny coming to our house and seems to be adjusting well. His little girlfriend started coming this week and they just have a blast together. He wanted to go to sleep at 6:15 every night which I soon discouraged when I learned he would then wake at 7:30 and party til after 10. He has become quite willful and opionated (read: naughty) so we are starting to deal with the terrible toddler's (since terrible 2 is a misnomer - starts way earlier and doesn't stop at 3!)
This weekend was the Johnston Green Days celebration so we spent time at the parade and the carnival. Sam had a bit of a rough time at the parade - sitting still is not his strong suit and he didn't really understand the point of catching candy - he just wanted to run into the street.
This week swimming lessons start for Gavin. He is just terrified of the water, so hopefully these one on one lessons are what he needs to get over that. It's also the last week of baseball games, so we have an activity every day Mon - Sat. At this rate, summer will be over before we know it!
We also just booked tickets to Orlando's Nick Suites Resort. We are just taking a quick vacation before summer is over and it looks like a blast for kids - no need to leave the resort.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Busy times
Sorry for the lack of updates. My ability to post pictures is intermittent at best.
Sam's final shots were Friday and the Dr. said they had fluid in there, but no pus. A good thing, but since he still has fluid sitting there, I figure we're just counting the time until his next infection. As hard as that first one was to kick, as much as I hate it, I will probably opt for tubes as soon as we can. The antibiotics are horrible on his tummy, and the shots, well shots are awful, and still cause him tummy issues.
Gavin had another soccer game, and did a great job as usual. Unfortunately 3 out of 6 of the kids on his team flinch and run the other way any time the ball gets near them. Since 3 kids play at a time, he usually is playing out there with 2 kids that won't touch the ball. This weekend the other team had a ringer that scored often. Gavin was pretty bummed after the game and told me he didn't want to play anymore. So we'll see how next week goes!
A girl that is in his kindergarten class lives behind us; their backyard faces ours. So they have been back and forth all weekend between our houses. She is one sassy girl, I can't believe it! She's bossy and demanding and gives Gavin a run for his money since he likes everything his way and she just doesn't put up with it. This afternoon we walked her to her backyard and they walked together holding hands. It was just too adorable. And then I get all teary and mushy eyed thinking that these are the carefree days he will look back on. It sort of counter acts the working mom guilt, knowing that I am working to provide this life, this house, this neighborhood for my kids, and that they will look back on these days when they are older and smile (hopefully!).
Speaking of working mom guilt, the day after Sam said mama for the first time, I walked into day care with my chest all puffed up and proud and announced his new milestone. And got this response "Oh, he's been saying that for a while, I wondered when you were going to hear it". Knife. In my heart. Twisting. Now this wasn't his main lady as she doesn't get in til 8 am, and it was a lady that works in the 2 yr old room. I am sure she didn't mean to break my heart. But still!
Oh and swimming lessons are going better it seems. Gavin doesn't fight going, and he participates more. Although today he informed me he doesn't like diving boards. "Don't get me one of those, Mommy, ok?" "Gavin, we don't even have a pool, don't worry." "I don't like those boards, so don't get me any."
Got it Gavin. The next Michael Phelps most certainly will not be discovered in my house!
Sam's final shots were Friday and the Dr. said they had fluid in there, but no pus. A good thing, but since he still has fluid sitting there, I figure we're just counting the time until his next infection. As hard as that first one was to kick, as much as I hate it, I will probably opt for tubes as soon as we can. The antibiotics are horrible on his tummy, and the shots, well shots are awful, and still cause him tummy issues.
Gavin had another soccer game, and did a great job as usual. Unfortunately 3 out of 6 of the kids on his team flinch and run the other way any time the ball gets near them. Since 3 kids play at a time, he usually is playing out there with 2 kids that won't touch the ball. This weekend the other team had a ringer that scored often. Gavin was pretty bummed after the game and told me he didn't want to play anymore. So we'll see how next week goes!
A girl that is in his kindergarten class lives behind us; their backyard faces ours. So they have been back and forth all weekend between our houses. She is one sassy girl, I can't believe it! She's bossy and demanding and gives Gavin a run for his money since he likes everything his way and she just doesn't put up with it. This afternoon we walked her to her backyard and they walked together holding hands. It was just too adorable. And then I get all teary and mushy eyed thinking that these are the carefree days he will look back on. It sort of counter acts the working mom guilt, knowing that I am working to provide this life, this house, this neighborhood for my kids, and that they will look back on these days when they are older and smile (hopefully!).
Speaking of working mom guilt, the day after Sam said mama for the first time, I walked into day care with my chest all puffed up and proud and announced his new milestone. And got this response "Oh, he's been saying that for a while, I wondered when you were going to hear it". Knife. In my heart. Twisting. Now this wasn't his main lady as she doesn't get in til 8 am, and it was a lady that works in the 2 yr old room. I am sure she didn't mean to break my heart. But still!
Oh and swimming lessons are going better it seems. Gavin doesn't fight going, and he participates more. Although today he informed me he doesn't like diving boards. "Don't get me one of those, Mommy, ok?" "Gavin, we don't even have a pool, don't worry." "I don't like those boards, so don't get me any."
Got it Gavin. The next Michael Phelps most certainly will not be discovered in my house!
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