Bohn Pool Swimming Lessons

Two weeks ago my little head strong peanut said to me, “I don’t care what my teacher says, I’m not going to put my head under the water.”  This is how our session of swimming lessons started.  Violette would be in the youngest class (Seahorse), Max one step up from her (Otters), and Noelle up one more step (Starfish).  So three kids in three different classes.  They all were excited, as Bohn pool is an awesome venue for lessons.  Despite Violette’s declaration I knew she would have a good time.  It was still up in the air if she was actually going to put her head under. 

The heat was unbearable during these past two weeks.  With a forecasted temperature of over 100 a few days, I dreaded getting up and going, but we did.  The children always got out of the pool chilled, unable to dress themselves due to shivering (dude, it was 100 degrees and my kids would be wearing sweatshirts when leaving the pool!!) so these were a lot of work for me.  Zane wanted to go swimming with his siblings SO bad.  I chased him around, fed him food and tried to keep him entertained will keeping my eye on the three classes spread out around the pool.  It was tiring.  I loved how the session was Monday thru Friday for two weeks, but by day three I was ready for them to be over! 

On the third day Little Miss Stubborn was fully submerging her body in class and at home in our little pool.  She was very proud of herself, begging me to watch her, at home, over and over again.  Go Violette!  She perfected jumping off the side of the pool and will move onto the next class, Otters, when we do lessons again. 

   

In our pool at home Max was going under very well and trying to swim.  After a few weeks of instruction he was swimming for long distances on his own!  I would look up and seek his green goggles only to find a little boy swimming so well.  I would ask other parents if that was really my son out there!  To be honest I figured he would be in the Otter class for at least two sessions of lessons.  I had no idea he would excel as much as he did.  On the last day of class he had an opportunity to go down the big water slide, something he had been talking about since day one.  He had no problem, without hesitation, going on then swimming over to the nearby ladder.  I watched him believing he was four and a half, almost five years old, of all brave and strong boy! 

Noelle continued to improve on her front and back stroke.  Her class was a little hidden from my view and I was only able to get a few moments of her lessons per day.  She glided through the water very well and upon exiting the pool always had a big smile on her face.  The last day she, too, went down the big slide.  Having done it last year too, she had no fear.  Her class was small and she went down multiple times.  Each entry at the top of the slide had me anxiously waiting for her to pop out at the bottom.  No matter the age I’m still going to be nervous for my babies!

We’ll take a two week break, then attend the last week session offered.  I love watching their excitement and improvement for and in the water. 

At home we continue to enjoy being outside as much as possible.  Noelle and Violette have turned into very bronzed children, shocking Tom and I when they get undressed.  Thankfully they have their Daddy’s skin and none of them have suffered any sunburns.  The boys, if possible, have turned even blonder.  Zane’s fine hair is basically white and he gets these rosy cheeks after being out in the sun.  He loves any time he can get in the little pool, saying “swimming wit dada!” whenever he wants in.  Our days are enjoyable, albeit long.  I see the end of July in sight and I know the end of summer is rounding the corner so I should enjoy these days before chaos of the school year begins!

The Fourth in TC

The Great Lakes in the summer rock.  Seriously, they are crisp, cool, and are beautifully clear.  You can glide across them seeing down the depths into a magical world.  Fish dart in and out of drift wood sanctuaries, ship wrecks decorate the bottom and jump out as you motor by.  A dip in them is remarkably refreshing as the midday sun light beats down on you while dancing on the water.  Spending the day on the Lake (growing up it was Lake Huron and now it is Lake Michigan) is pure luxury and we soaked ourselves in this luxury over the Holiday week.

My need for my four to coordinate just a little lead me to the idea of tie dying patriotic t-shirts.  Completed a few days before the 4th, the kids excitedly dressed for the occasion as we packed up and headed out. 

                    

We made little miss Maizey a celebration t-shirt too.  I tried to get a picture of all the grandchildren, but Zane was not cooperating.  This was the best I got.

The drive was smooth with little traffic and children that behaved pretty well.  A new DVD player with larger screens helped to ease the long drive.  The anticipation of our stay in Traverse City was palpable in the confines of our vehicle.  We giggled and laughed, cried and whined.  The drive was exactly what we expected.  

The children survived the traveling in one piece, went out to the beach, and then we all headed to a baseball game.  The Traverse City Beach Bums have a beautiful park and with lawn seating the kids ran around and enjoyed the freedom, caring very little for the game of baseball.  Their energy kept going and the made it through the fireworks at the end.  We were impressed! 

Thursday and Friday were days filled with gorgeous sun.  The days beckoned for us to spend them on the boat.  The children loved it.  Speeding around in the water, falling asleep to the rhythmic sounds of the engine, anchoring at a beach, collecting drift wood on shore, and much swimming were how we spent the days.  Not bad at all for our vacation!  The following pictures tell the stories of our days:

The above wood was hauled all by Strong Man Max.  He was on a mission to collect and haul to his own pile, as much wood as possible.  We were impressed by the sheer size of the pile and his determination to keep going!

I asked my Dad to stop by the near shipwreck so I could jump off and snokel for a bit.  It was beautiful and in the those few minutes just my Mom and I stared down at a beautiful piece of history. 

On last stop at the Horse Shows By The Bay, as we headed out of town was a nice ending to a perfect July visit.  The horse show is one of the biggest, lasting a month.  The horses are gorgeous and we watched some jumping events.  Horses were everywhere, literally the grounds had four show arenas, plus practice arenas.  Left, right, behind, in front of us, it was truly an incredible sight.  Noelle and I could have spent the entire day there, but for a little over an hour we enjoyed it.  Next year we’ll plan our visit so we can spend the day there. 

As we drove South the comfortable 77 degrees of  TC surrendered to the heat of Southern Michigan and upon arriving in our driveway the vehicle thermometer read 102.  We quickly jumped out and trips unloading were done in record time.  It was nice to be home, but we all missed Traverse City and Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Alex.  We’ll be back, soon!

Summer Is Here

It’s hot and sticky and summer is in full bloom.  Right now the temperature has risen to a near 100 degrees, making it miserable for a day outside.  We are hunkered down in the basement engaged in some dramatic dollhouse play including a space shuttle and a Daddy that only does boring paperwork.  The end of June is upon us and this month as flown by.  Let’s attempt a bit of catch up with pictures making up for my lack of wanting to write a lot. 

Noelle did a week of horse camp last week.  She was thrilled to attend, enjoying each day with the horses.  On Friday they did a show for all the parents.  Two hours in the 90+ degree weather, sitting on bleachers surrounded with only black dirt and three rambunctious children was a mental marathon for me.  I kept my cool, received compliments on the well behaved children, and watched Noelle ride and walk her stubborn pregnant horse around the arena.  While Zane sat in the dirt, picking up handfuls and burying his feet but kept occupied, I admired Noelle as she walked around the rink.  Honey, her horse was like a pregnant women, very hungry and wanted every piece of food in sight.  She bent her head in determination to eat the grounded hay and Noelle had to fiercely yank her head up and pull her along.  She showed me her authority.  Although quiet she has a hidden snippet of strength that is growing with age.  This camp feeds her confidence and I am happy she is able to go.  Next year Max will be 5 and has expressed much interest in going as well.  Oh boy, better start saving now!

Besides horse camp or days have included many dips in our little pool.  After much debate and consideration we decided on a 12’ x 36” easy set pool.  The children are able to stand, but can still go under the water.  As they get older a bigger pool will be in our future but for now this is perfect.  They have really enjoyed the ability to submerge themselves in the cool water on these hot days. 

Besides being able to jump in and cool off the pool has had an added advantage of tiring out kids!  My children are not known for falling asleep at the drop of a hat, or taking naps until they are well into their preschool years.  At about 2 we are done napping for the most part.  But with daily swimming and early rising I will randomly find children fast asleep on the floor!  Bonus!

The foursome are working on playing together without fighting.  Of course, it still happens, a lot, but their imaginations are melting together creating scenerios that excite them and make me smile. 

Onto The Next Thing

She’s done.  It’s over.  Noelle’s first year of school has come to a close.  She is now a first grader!  Wow, just writing it makes the tears well up and begin to flow.  I feel that starting Kindergarten was tough, but finishing it seems, unbelievably, more difficult.  When in Kindergarten children are still viewed, to me, as little, just starting out.  They are fresh in the grand scheme of schooling.  First grade seems leaps and bounds older than Kindergarten.  In my mind Kindergarten is all about coloring  and songs and rainbows and creative play, first grade is dull, dark, with a ruler yielding, wart faced, cranky teacher standing in front of perfectly straight rowed children.  Okay, that’s a little extreme, but first grade is not just kindergarten.  There is a big difference, and again, the unknown is scary. 

Noelle was sad and excited for her last day.  Mentioning over and over how much she would miss her teacher.  Her teacher was wonderful.  She challenged Noelle and helped her come out of her shell.  The shell is still there, and will most likely always be, but there are cracks in it.  Cracks that let Noelle get up in front of the class, excitedly, and participate in show and tell. Mrs. T showed Noelle that learning is one of the most important things she can do for herself – and one of the coolest.  She provided Noelle with time and material to expand her creative horizons.  Noelle was dared to dream and be silly.  Tom and I loved hearing her tails of her day, awed by the wonderful things happening in the classroom and the enthusiasm that Noelle displayed.  Mrs. T was great and I’m not sure how first grade can be topped by her!

In the morning I got out the camera and went crazy even taking pictures of Noelle at breakfast!  Last day of Kindergarten HAS to be documented!  There was excitement in the air.  The other three couldn’t wait for Noelle’s day to be over and her home!  Despite the mandatory and daily bickering, they adore, genuinely adore, their big sister!  They had to go out and wait for the bus too.  Noelle was ready in record time and we had extra snuggle time in the chair. 

Snuggle time in the morning is critical.  Never have we run late for school (with lots of little ones we are always up early!) and always had at least 10-20 mins of time to sit together and talk.  I would wrap my arms around her and talk about the fun she would have that day.  It seemed to set the tone for the day.  The more time we would have the better day she had. 

We finished our time and were ready to head outside and wait for the bus.  At the beginning of the year I waited, every morning, at the end of the driveway with Noelle.  When winter came I told her it was time for her to go out by herself.  I told her this, but every morning I suited up and still waited.  I think she and I were not ready for this ritual to end.  The last day was like the first, waiting was our thing and I’m glad I was out there each and every day to give her one last hug and kiss as the bus came to a stop in front of the house.

For comparison’s sake here is my Noelle Rose on the first day and last of Kindergarten 2011-2012! 

   

Now onto summer vacation!  Time for us to enjoy each other and the our precious days together.  The four children will fight, play, and soak up every ounce of summer possible.  I will do what I can sit back and enjoy these days, for a new school year will be upon us shortly and my girl will be a First Grader!

Sometimes You Just Have To Bounce

Summer is basically here.  The warmth has descended upon Michigan, the sun sits high in the sky and filters down, sprinkling all with it’s happiness.  It’s time to get together with friends and family and bounce away the winter.

I, being of little sound mind, decided to have a little BBQ over Memorial Day weekend.  What goes well with children and friends?  A bounce house of course!  I imagine the children, years down the road, remembering the fun that they had when Mom and Dad decided to have a little party.  A bounce house was just the right item to solidify their long lasting memories! 

I planned, baked a little, and set up for the party.  The morning brought with it rain and I watched the radar with hawk-like eyes, hoping the rain would pass and sun would shine down.  It did and the heat was just enough to make it pleasant out for adults to gather around and children run around.  Silly String went flying and water balloons were tossed.  It was a nice time!  Welcome Summer!

After families left we kept the bounce house for a few hours.  Tom and I jumped in with all the children and enjoyed some family time. 

A bit of a heat wave hit over the next few days of the Holiday Weekend.  The little plastic pool was brought out and the children dove right in!  Zane wasn’t too keen on it and sat contently in Daddy’s lap while cheering on his big bro and sisters. His time will come, but the older three are rowdy and it takes him time to warm up to new and different things.

School is almost out (Monday is Noelle’s last day) and I plan to post more, a lot more, about that later, but for now we are planning for a delightful summer.  Summer clothing is being moved into dressers, sunscreen has been stocked up on, we are ready.  Bring on some beautiful weather Mother Nature!