Dragon Boat Races: Team FRC: We thought it would be one race and done. But, first race was won even though a boat almost crashed into the FRC boat. Second was won because competitor dropped out. Third race was close. It was a beautiful day to sit by the dirty Chicago River. Kids and adults were very tired by the end.

Safety Town

Mikayla really loved Safety Town. I think she enjoyed the junior high helpers the most. She has already said that she misses them. Of course, on the last day, she only wanted to flirt with the policemen. Oh well!

She now loves swimming

OK-she is funny. Third times a charm. I took her the third time and knew that was the last time--if that didn't work out-we were dropping out. SO, I bribed her with all these treats and talked it through. She told me she was nervous and held my hand on the way in. And, then...

...jumped in the water and swam around like a fish. I couldn't believe it. Once she was done, she told me it was so much fun she couldn't believe it. What a difference. She says she still doesn't like boy teachers but she is fine now. At the end of the week (after the second cooperating lesson) we had a play date and she was bee bopping in the water. She was even 'teaching' Adrianna to swim. So, I think we've finally turned the corner.

Swimming

Mikayla has always been a little timid in the water.  But, this spring I really wanted to emphasize learning to swim.  She has been in lessons off and on since she was one.  But, she was in two sessions this spring, one two-week session in Barrington and is now back at the Y.  Although she hadn't 'passed' any of these classes, I could see the progress she was making.  Her confidence was coming along and she was having fun putting her head under water.  But, she was still afraid for the teacher to let go of her.

But, the first day of class, she started to freaking out.  She was scared because the teacher was male and she was afraid he would let go of her. This was turning into a disaster.  The first time she screamed 20 minutes and the second time 25 minutes (for a 45 minute class)  I was beside myself and didn't know what to do to encourage her.  I was afraid we were regressing from what we have learned the last few months and didn't want all of that to go to waste.  We went the third time.  I was all prepared-I promised tons of things (tv, snacks, treats) and talked about how important it was to learn to swim.   On the way in, she told me she was nervous and I told her to hold my hand tight then.  She went in and within seconds had her head underwater.  On the way home, she told me that was the most fun she had ever had in the water.  Boy, do I feel relieved.  I didn't know how to handle this--most people were just recommending to take her out and I didn't think it was the right thing--I guess I know her best and know how she would react--but I didn't know how this was going to end up.  As of now, good.

Bedtime/Cribs

Josh is so active the one thing I have always said about him is that he is an awesome sleeper.   I'm afraid that is going to change.  We have had some struggles with this sleep the last two times we were in Michigan.  Last month we forgot the pack n play.  Well, he enjoyed his freedom but I didn't sleep too much.  Then, last weekend we remembered the pack n play but his sister taught him to climb out.  Boy, he enjoyed learning about freedom.

Then, we get home on Sunday.  It takes him about 20 seconds to swing himself out of the crib.  It seems like he is doing it pretty safely but I was ready to take the crib apart that night.  It just seems that this has been combined with him not wanting to sleep as easily.  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

A Day for the Books

OK, today started innocently enough.  

On the way to safety camp, Mik had to go to the bathroom.  'OK, as soon as we get there you can go'  But, we had to wait in line for the dropoff.  In that 5-10 minutes, she whined the whole time that she had to go real bad.  By the time we were 2 cars from drop off, she said 'I had an accident---I pooped in my pants.  At the same time they are trying to open the door and get her out.  Not so fast--I have to find a bathroom and clean her up.  I got that taken care of and then found her class.

Then, Josh and I are riding down Lake Cook Road.  Out of the rear view mirror, I see monkey flying out the back window.  Argggh!  Now, this is a road with a 50 mph speed limit.  So, I pull over and go back in the opposite direction to get near where it happened.  As I'm going back, I see two cars run over it and many others swerve to get out of the way.  I parked a safe distance away and made sure no cars were coming and played a quick game of frogger and dashed into the road and rescued him.  To make matters worse, I had let him have monkey later in the day and let the windows be down and he threw him out again--this time in stopped traffic.  In my defense, my windows don't roll down that far and I was driving my father in laws car and forgot that Josh could reach out the window.

OK--my morning wore me out--on to the afternoon.  Mikayla wouldn't lay down and somehow got her hands on scissors and cut her hair again.  Honestly, you can't tell--I think she just cut an extra part that was in her eyes.  But, i found these long pieces on the carpet and wasn't that happy with her.

Then, I took her to swimming.  She was adamant that she didn't want a boy teacher--well, guess what she got a boy teacher.  She was throwing a hissy fit and wouldn't let me leave.  She kept wanting one more kiss(which I have a hard time resisting) and screaming and crying.  I finally got her to go into the pool because I told her it was either that or we were all going home.  Then, she sat in the corner and sulked the entire time and wouldn't play with them.  Honestly, I'm sure at that point, the teacher didn't know what to do with her either.  I was pretty upset with her--she had doing so well the last two weeks and this was such a waste of all our times.  She got more water time in her bath later.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day!  Now, it's margarita time!

4th of July

Busy Weekend!

On the 3rd,  we went down to Chicago to see the fireworks from our friend's, the Bereks, boat.  It was real cool--but Josh was a handful.  He just wanted to move around.  Being on a boat wasn't to his liking becuase he couldn't run.  Finally, Margaret gave me a 'leash' and I put it on him so he could run up and down the dock.  He stayed awake through the fireworks but cuddled up to me through the fireworks and promptly fell asleep on the way home.

For some reason, Mikayla kept saying 'Quit panicking mom' from the time we showed up.  I'm not sure why, becuase for once I wasn't panicking.

On the 4th, we went to the Pattens.  It was rainy most of the day but it cleared up and the kids were able to play in the baby pool.  By the end of the day, the kids were absolutely pooped.

On the 5th we spent a little time at the Spray Park.  Mikayla swam a little in Lake Zurich.  I think she's finally letting go of some of her fears for swimming.  Two weeks of swimming lessons have really seemed to help her.