As some background I must explain that while Ava has never shown much fear over swimming, she shows much fear over having her hair rinsed in the bathtub. It would be comical if it wasn't so frustrating. She hates to have her hair rinsed! At one time, it was okay with her to lay down and swish her hair back and forth. Then somewhere along the way that became terrifying. We now have a special bucket that helps keep the water out of her eyes. I completely forgot about her screaming for a towel to wipe her eyes in the bathtub when I signed a large chunk of money over to the swim club. We really got anxious about how she'd do. I saw the videos of what the kids learn and big surprise-their eyes get wet. Alot.
Ava on the first day, double diapers and allOn her first day, she was so excited. She did so well. She listened and did everything Mr. Rudy asked her to. I found out that I am a pretty good lip reader as I sat riveted, staring through the one way mirror. I literally could not believe my eyes.
Day 2
I am so proud of her, though I don't think pride is the right word. I am happy, tickled, thrilled, excited. I can't take my eyes off of them in the pool. She blows bubbles and goes under water and does a back float and goes down the slide and goes under water to get a ring off the bottom, and climbs the tower! Of course Mr. Rudy is holding and helping all along the way. I don't want my usage of the word pride to make you think, that I think, that she's so great and better than other kids, because I have no comparison. I am just so proud of her doing things that are hard or scary or challenging and being really happy about it. It actually reminds me of the satisfaction I could see on her face when she was potty training. Just really feeling good about her independence and autonomy.
I can't explain it but these past few days have been some of the happiest Mommy Moments I've ever had. And I just can't believe that both sets of grandparents will be able to see her do it. I am preparing myself for a let down though, because it's not that she is doing anything incredibly impressive, again, it's just that fact that she's doing it and loving it and I'm not sure anyone else will feel what I do.
They get a lollipop after class and I meet her at the door with a towel. It's the cutest thing because they open the door, she sees me and immediately her mouth is just running 100 mph., stutters and all, in her loud voice, "MOMMY! I WENT UNDER WATER AND BLEW BUBBLES AND WENT DOWN A SLIDE AND AND AND AND GOT A RING AND PUT IT ON MY HEAD AND SANG ROW ROW ROW AND TURNED ON MY BACK AND LOOKED AT THE SKY AND AND AND AND AND GRABBED A RING AND AND AND AND HELD IT TIGHT AND GOT A LOLLIPOP AND I COME BACK AMORROW, MOMMY!"
I am just so happy she's loving it. It has turned out to be so worth the money for her and for me. And I also get happy thinking about the skills she's learning. I saw some kids do their float tests yesterday. This is when they take a child fully clothed with shoes and all, and toss them into the water. They have to float on their back for 10 minutes. Now that is impressive. I feel good knowing that she's learning how to survive if she ever fell in water by herself.
Even though cameras and one way mirrors do not mix, I keep trying to take pictures because Ava and Mr. Rudy are so cute together. Here is the best I've gotten, clarity-wise,
On a completely different, though almost equally gratifying note, Ava's Easter dress just needs some ribbons and a zipper and it's done. I really appreciated the help I got last Saturday, the only frustrating part was that she was directing me what to do but wasn't referring to the pattern at all. I felt like I wasn't learning how to do it or really read the pattern and understand what it was telling me. I came home from that session with the bodice sewn together at the shoulders and the the interfacing attached. After I got home, I realized that I wouldn't be able to go to another Saturday session before Easter so I was going to have to finish it by myself.
So since then, I managed to sew the rest of the bodice together, attach the interfacing down, sew the sleeves, and attach the bottom. Hooray! It's almost a real dress!
After sewing every seam twice (cause I messed up the first time, everytime) I am pretty happy with the results!
Day 2
I can't explain it but these past few days have been some of the happiest Mommy Moments I've ever had. And I just can't believe that both sets of grandparents will be able to see her do it. I am preparing myself for a let down though, because it's not that she is doing anything incredibly impressive, again, it's just that fact that she's doing it and loving it and I'm not sure anyone else will feel what I do.
They get a lollipop after class and I meet her at the door with a towel. It's the cutest thing because they open the door, she sees me and immediately her mouth is just running 100 mph., stutters and all, in her loud voice, "MOMMY! I WENT UNDER WATER AND BLEW BUBBLES AND WENT DOWN A SLIDE AND AND AND AND GOT A RING AND PUT IT ON MY HEAD AND SANG ROW ROW ROW AND TURNED ON MY BACK AND LOOKED AT THE SKY AND AND AND AND AND GRABBED A RING AND AND AND AND HELD IT TIGHT AND GOT A LOLLIPOP AND I COME BACK AMORROW, MOMMY!"
I am just so happy she's loving it. It has turned out to be so worth the money for her and for me. And I also get happy thinking about the skills she's learning. I saw some kids do their float tests yesterday. This is when they take a child fully clothed with shoes and all, and toss them into the water. They have to float on their back for 10 minutes. Now that is impressive. I feel good knowing that she's learning how to survive if she ever fell in water by herself.
Even though cameras and one way mirrors do not mix, I keep trying to take pictures because Ava and Mr. Rudy are so cute together. Here is the best I've gotten, clarity-wise,
On a completely different, though almost equally gratifying note, Ava's Easter dress just needs some ribbons and a zipper and it's done. I really appreciated the help I got last Saturday, the only frustrating part was that she was directing me what to do but wasn't referring to the pattern at all. I felt like I wasn't learning how to do it or really read the pattern and understand what it was telling me. I came home from that session with the bodice sewn together at the shoulders and the the interfacing attached. After I got home, I realized that I wouldn't be able to go to another Saturday session before Easter so I was going to have to finish it by myself.
So since then, I managed to sew the rest of the bodice together, attach the interfacing down, sew the sleeves, and attach the bottom. Hooray! It's almost a real dress!
After sewing every seam twice (cause I messed up the first time, everytime) I am pretty happy with the results!
7 comments:
Yeah for learning to swim!
I think that is so awesome Ava is doing swimming lessons. It sounds like a good program. It really helps when they like the teacher too. We have done swimming lessons the last two summers. I don't think Corbin learned much more than blowing bubbles in the water and kicking his legs. He still loved it, but I don't think I would feel safe throwing him in the pool yet.
I can't wait to see the dress on Ava. I bet she will look like a real princess. I am impressed. You are going to have to start giving me sewing lessons.
You are such a good mom. I think about putting Jorgie and Q in swim lessons (I really do want them to learn) and I just think about dealing with Lainey and soon the new baby while they are in there and I just get overwhelmed! Does Luke just sit in his carseat like the wonderful baby he is?? Where do you take her? And, WOW! The dress is so adorable...it really does look like a real dress! :) You are awesome....one word to sum things up....WONDERWOMAN!
Hearing about everything you're doing is probably a lot like you feel watching Ava. I'm so proud of you. As I watch through the one way mirror of your blog I'm glad to be your sister. I love to hear about everything your feeling excited about I am excited too. I think also as a watch what a great woman you are and again it's not a pride that you are better than anyone else it's that you are mine and I can see the things you have grown to master over time. Cause you know I was there when you couldn't get the spoon in your mouth on the first try and had more food on your face than ever made it in your mouth and now you can not only feed yourself but actually be the Mom. Good On Ya. I love you.
ditto to Chandra's post-except that food on the face part...I don't remember that:) love you guys so much!
Ava is just crazy grown-up looking and acting. So glad she's having a good time!
You're so smart to get her in swimming lessons - I never did any with the boys and I'm regretting it big time. They are plenty comfortable in the pool, moving all over, jumping off the diving board, etc., but as far as actual skills...nothing. Cam is in 11 yr. old scouts and guess what? They need SKILLS! Paying for private lessons now...
Parental pride is just about the best feeling ever! Wait till she talks in church or gets those really good report cards. On the flip side, I would imagine that parental disappointment (over the big stuff that really matters) would be the worst feeling ever.
Way to go on the sewing!
Thank you guys for your comments! Have I ever mentioned that I love reading the comments? Well, I do, so thanks. And Val, We go to the Houston Swim Club. It is awesome. I really can't say enough good things about it. Luke does stay in his seat but it would be no big deal if Lainey ran around. There are even toys for her to play with. Anyways, you can call me or something if you want to know more. I almost called you when i signed Ava up but between preschool and that I thought I should stop pressuring you!:)
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