Swimming 2012 Part 2

We all know that Sam started swimming lessons this year, 

and we also know that he is doing remarkably well.

We know this because I already blogged about it...

HERE

If you don't know about this, then you had probably pay better attention. 

Well, as I mentioned in that first post, Sam was able to start and was doing remarkably well.  After his first session he advanced up to level 2 without any struggle at all.  He is currently in his fourth session of lessons and is stuck, right there at level two.  Not because he isn't progressing, but because he is simply far too small to obtain the endurance necessary for a level three swimmer.  A level three Swimmer has to be able to swim a long distance without stopping.  He just isn't capable of that yet.

  He is still doing awesome, 

and is fearless as ever.

The below videos were taken on the last day of his third session during testing.  

As you can see from the video he gets winded easily which is why he can't move on to level three.  It really frustrates him, but he understands that practice is what will help him get where he needs to be to advance.

That's one good lookin' boy!

Now, as mentioned in my previous post we had it planned for Brenna to start swimming lessons after she completed school and wrapped up her dance obligations.

She started her first session with total fear of water.  Didn't want to do it, didn't want to get her face wet, didn't even want to try.  Fortunately Brenna's little friend Karis was starting swimming with her, which I feel gave her the extra push to just challenge herself. 

I was completely shocked that on her second day of swimming she wasn't only getting her face wet, but she was completely submerging herself.

This is a HUGE step for her considering she would have major melt downs if one was to even suggest that she attempt to submerge herself. 

(I personally think having a friend in class with her was a huge benefit simply because she didn't want to look like a sissy)

I am so proud of her for pushing through her fear and just doing it.  

Much to her surprise, the water isn't that bad nor is there a need to be scared of it.

Now that she has completed her first session she is doing far more than just submerging herself.  She is working on some strokes, floating on her back, blowing bubbles through her nose and mouth, and also swimming on her back.  Both she and her friend Karis successfully completed level one and have now moved on to level two. 

This girl is just AWESOME!

In the newest session we started this week, both Brenna and Sam are in level 2 together along with Brenna's friend Karis.  

I was originally concerned about having Brenna and Sam in the same class together because of how competitive they are with one another, but thus far it hasn't seemed to be a problem. 

I have paid for a total of 6 sessions between the two kids this summer so I feel it best to call it good after this session is over.  

Brenna has dance starting again soon

(She made an Extreme Dance Team, more to come on that in a different post so watch for it!)

and Sam has expressed interest in Karate so we will be looking into that soon as well.

The kids have both worked so hard at their extra-curricular activities this summer, I feel a short break will be beneficial before things start back up again! 

Happy Summer EVERYONE!

Hope you are all enjoying your's as much as we have!

Swimming 2012

Sam just wrapped up his first week of swim lessons and he is doing AMAZING!

I don't ever remember taking swim lessons as a kid

(though this doesn't mean it didn't happen)

so I never really felt it important for my own kids.

ATTN:  I have since been corrected by my beautiful mother "You all took swimming lessons Jess.  Yup You Did!"

(Her exact words)

One day I was sitting there watching my daughter at the pool and was baffled by just how much like me she is.  She was wading in the water at the pool being very cautious of every move she made.  Trying her very best to stay clear of splashing water and when she did get hit in the face with a good splash you could just see the anxiety overwhelm her as she tried to very quickly wipe the water from her face...

She is JUST like her Mother!

When I met my husband it was a big joke of how legitimately TERRIFIED I was of water.  I even panicked when I had to wash my face in the shower.  I hated water than much.

Now here my Brenna was with the very same fear.

I know first hand just how horrible that anxiety is and just how much panic is felt by not trusting being in water... regardless how deep it was.  I don't want my kids to feel that.

This is when I KNEW I had to do something to help relieve this anxiety for Brenna and ensure that Sam never had to experience it. 

I felt Swim Lessons were the best solution!

Brenna is still in school (damn year round) so unfortunately she couldn't participate in the first two sessions of swim lessons.  She can't start until after the 4th of July holiday. 

(Sad face)

Sam however could so I decided to let him start without her.  He doesn't have this same fear as Brenna so I feel it is good that he given the time to progress without the added competition of his sister.  Brenna is very insecure that Sam is better at swimming than she is so I am hoping that Sam will advance to the next stage before she starts allowing them to both have their own space and goals to work toward.  

Their competitiveness is probably the greatest challenge I face as a parent to children so close in age.  I hope that by them participating in the same activity, but allowing them to both work at their own pace will show them that it is okay if one learns a bit faster than the other.  In the end they can both achieve the same goal without the need to compete with one another.  

Anyway, Sam has been doing very well.  He is far more advanced in the water that the other kids in his level.  This is shocking to me simply because I am not a swimmer and haven't really taken the time to work with either of my kids on swimming technique.  Sam is just a "natural born fish" as his instructors would say.  He is actually swimming under water for a short period of time, floating on his back, and picking up on some of the strokes.  The kids in the next level up are so much bigger than he is and it is weird to think that he is so close to advancing up to the level they are at.  In order to advance they have to be able to push off the wall, swim a short distance, and then keep themselves afloat in waters that they can't touch the ground.  Sam is seriously almost there.

He has three more weeks of swim lessons before Brenna starts.  I really think that he will move up and my plan of no competition will work out.  

Memorial Day Weekend 2012

Our Memorial Day weekend was long and PACKED full of fun!

My friend Shauna, and four of her five kids came to stay with us.  

They arrived on Wednesday night kicking off our holiday weekend a little early.

Bill took Thursday and Friday off from work as well so he could hang out with us and survive the chaos that comes with 6 kids in our small house.  

We woke up Thursday and ate breakfast.

We had to be quick in getting ready because Sam had his preschool graduation, which we all attended.  

After his graduation we headed off to Classic Skating for a day full of bouncing and skating fun.  

I hadn't been to Classic since Jr. High/High School and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of FUN activities they have available.  We opted to play in the bounce houses, climbing jungle, and skating.  We took scooters along with us too.  I like that the kids are allowed to use scooters considering skating takes a bit more practice and parental involvement to learn.
I personally wanted to just sit back and watch them play, and I did.

I rented my kids some of those skates that go over their shoes and they did great in them.  Poor Brenna had short socks on and left with some pretty gnarly sores on her ankles from the skates.  BIG Bummer.

All the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves, despite the few bumps, bruises, scrapes, and falls they endured.

We left classic completely, and utterly, EXHAUSTED!

We rushed home, where I made the whole bunch of us some spaghetti with my homemade sauce.  Needless to say we all slept very well that night with little struggle getting all the little munchkins to bed.

On Friday we woke bright and early, 

Well I did, and let Shauna sleep in.  

I made waffles for breakfast with strawberry topping and whip cream.  

Can you believe MY two kids bypassed the waffles and had cereal?  They are CRAZY!

We hung out at home for most of the morning as it was a bit cool and rainy outside.  We had plans to go take some pictures of Shauna's kids when and if the weather cleared up.

It did clear up after lunch, so we got the kids all ready took their pictures.

My neighbors have a pretty awesome backyard so we used it for their pictures.  It beat having to load up all the kids and drive somewhere to take pictures.  Their pictures turned out great and all the kids behaved themselves.  As a reward, we told them we would go swimming.

After pictures we went over to the West Valley Family Fitness Center for some wet fun!  I couldn't find my kids arm floats and the ones they sold there were WAY too big for our kids.  They were seriously so big I doubt they would have fit my arms. 

Really a grown man could have wore them!

Shauna took off to walmart to find some floats while I braved the water with the task of watching 6 kids!  It was crazy, but they all behaved and stayed close enough that I could keep my eye on them.

Shauna returned and joined us in the pool, though she returned empty handed. 

Can you believe Walmart didn't have any arm floats?

LAME!

We spent about 1-2 hours at the pool, with every intent on wearing the kids out yet again.  

Shauna and I had a big night planned.

She wanted some Boudoir photos taken for her husband.  

We didn't get the kids fed until 9:30pm (I made tacos) and then a friend of Shauna's came over for a short visit.

The kids didn't get to bed until nearly 11pm, which meant a late start on pictures for Shauna.  I started her hair a little after 11pm and seriously didn't get finished until almost 3.

SHE HAS SO MUCH HAIR!

You can check out some of the finished product over at my photography blog...

HERE

Only the "G" rated stuff.  

We wrapped up that photoshoot at nearly 6am.  We hit some major issues with the inside lighting in my living room.  It took a bit to figure out how to get the best quality photo with what we had to work with.  I am happy with the outcome though.  

It was a learning experience for sure!

Shauna and her kids were up bright and early yet again, but this time it was because they had to leave.

SO SAD!

We loved having them here and were totally bummed out to see them go.  Even though the weekend was complete chaos, it was OH SO WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF IT!  

Easter/Sand Hollow Day 2

Wow, notice how I made it through Easter weekend Day 1 and have slacked on getting this day 2 post to you all?  Yeah, this shows just how BAD of a blogger I am.

Day 2 (Saturday) started off perfectly with some delicious breakfast burritos...

I tell you what, those trailer things sure do come in handy. Had Sister Steph and Uncle West not been with us, I am certain our breakfast would have consisted of meals more along the lines of cold cereal and breakfast bars.

I slept amazing that night, though it did get a bit cold for my liking. My wonderful husband allowed me to use his tent set up which includes a VERY comfortable sleeping pad and an amazing, soft, squishy, warm sleeping bag. I am so glad that he did cause I think I would have gotten cold without it. I checked on both kids around midnight and they both had their heads tuck up under their covers, I then covered them with another blanket and layed worried about them until I dozed off myself. When I asked them if they got cold the next morning they both said no, which I am happy about. I was really worried that they would. NONE of us wanted to step out of our sleeping bags in the morning either because that cold was lingering. We all know that when duty calls, ya gotta do what you gotta do so eventually we HAD to brave the brisk morning air.

Sister Steph and her Circus woke not much longer after my little rug rats drug me out of the tent. I was thankful because it gave me a warm place to hide out until the sun started to warm up the outdoors.

We hung around camp for just a little while, until the kids started with their swimming requests.  Saturday was a much warmer day than Friday so I wasn't so hesitant about letting them go before lunch.  Grandma and Grandpa T. came up Friday evening, but they stayed in a hotel so not long after their arrival we round up the chillen's and went for a swim.  This time we went over to the submerged day beach near the boat ramps to swim.  They have these beautiful red rocks that you can wade over to and climb around.  Grandpa T. brought up his scuba diving gear and he and Bill had the intentions of making it out into the water to scope out the sunken plane it the lake.  Grandma T. headed over to the rocks with us and the kids.

Most of the kids... Minus Sam. 

Though most everyone decided to brave the water, Sam was still not quite sold on submerging himself all the way. Grandma T. was kind enough to cart him around the water and rocks.  

Grandma T. Playing water Taxi

I opted to stay on dry land and just take pictures.  Sister Steph had this same plan initially, but after witnessing all the fun everyone else was having she decided to just head out in her clothes.  

Sister Steph made it across!

The whole gang spread out among the beach.  

Now there was this picnic table submerged in the water.  The initial goal of the kids was to make it out over to that table.  First the older kids made it out....

And after awhile they helped the littler girls out to the table too...

We hung out for a good hour or so.  While the kids (and adults played)...

I sat back and just watched.  I spotted my handsome husband out in the water way out yonder.  He was trying to get use to the water before taking the plunge and heading out to the under water plane.  

The water was COLD, I did put my feet in and quickly pulled them back out.  Slowly the kids (and dogs) began making there way back to the rocks.  

We then decided to wonder over to where Bill and Grandpa T. were attempting to head out for a dive. Bill sat out in the water waiting for Grandpa T. to gear up, only to find that Grandpa forgot some of his gear (really important gear) and couldn't go diving after all. 

Grandpa was pretty bummed about this, but Bill was okay with it.  He said he wasn't really looking forward to getting his head in the water cause his wet suit just wouldn't warm up.  Well, this was all fine and dandy of course until Bill decided he would throw a frisbee out into the water for the dog and it sunk.  He then had to suit back up (after he had already put on all his dry clothes) and search for the frisbee.

 He spotted the frisbee and attempted the little dive several times... But he wouldn't sink.  His suit was full of air and he wouldn't go down.

It wasn't until after several attempts that Grandpa T. advised Bill to raise his arm and let the air out...

After locating the frisbee again, first dive down he snatches the thing and heads back out of the water freezing cold... that head of his ended up getting wet anyway.  

We headed back to camp for some lunch where Grandma and Grandpa Eldredge joined us for a few hours.  The kids played and dug and played and dug... Grandma Eldredge worked on a quilt and us adults just sat back and talked for a bit.  Brenna thought she was being sneaky and was hiding from my camera.  She thought that she was doing a good job at avoiding me attempting to pull away just before I took her picture... yeah, she failed miserably.  

Ha, and I just think this next set of pics is funny... not sure Jaymee was happy about me snapping photos of her eating.  

This kid is just cute!

Notice the brightly painted nails?  And it almost looks like Bill is drinking the fingernail polish.  Sister Steph had the girls out at the table painting their nails like Easter eggs.  It was a really good time passer for the kids... Though Bill would have opted for other entertainment.

After Grandma and Grandpa Eldredge headed back home from visiting us, we went out for another swim.  This time we went back over to the sandy beach where the kids enjoyed the sand, sun, and water once again.  The guys all went out four-wheeling so it was just the kids and the ladies.   

I don't think I have mentioned Suzanne yet.  This is Wests mom, and her dog Cedar.  Sam really took a liking to Suzanne.  He even ended the weekend calling her Granny like the other kids. 

Steph and Wests dogs decided to take a jog down shore, so Grandma T. and Steph had to go chase after them.  After this they ended up tied to the picnic table.  

Apparently it is a normal thing that at least one of Sister Steph's kids get buried when they come to Sand hollow.  Sean started the getting buried thing, and some of the others quickly followed.  I didn't get a picture of Sean, but he was a muscle man.  

Snowman Sam

Mermaid Brenna

And Mermaid Cali

It was only appropriate that Brenna and Cali were maid into mermaids considering they were pretending to be mermaids the majority of the weekend.  Those little girls have quite the imagination.  

We went back to camp and had some dinner. Being Saturday, the day before Easter we had some eggs to dye.  I am not sure how I didn't end up getting pictures of the egg dying, but I didn't.  All the kids had fun being creative and surprisingly enough with eight kids we didn't have any spills or much of a mess at all for that matter.  After the egg dying, Lindy and Sam (Wests sister and brother in law) put together a glow in the dark Easter egg hunt for the kids.  It was really neat.  They filled Easter eggs with little glow bracelets and there were little glowing eggs scattered all over camp.  Again, I didn't get pictures of this either... I can't believe that!  You can see some pictures from the egg dying and glowing egg hunt at Sister Steph's easter weekend post HERE.  We let the kids sit around the fire for just a little bit before sending them to bed. Steph and I then put baskets together and I headed to bed myself where the rest of my little family was sound asleep.