Swim, swim

Collin has been going to Dolfun Swim Academy since the summer. These are not community classes that usually consist of singing and splashing around in the pool with other kids and parents without any real skills taught(except maybe blowing bubbles). There's nothing wrong with those classes, we did them and found them fun and a nice way to introduce your kid to the water. But I wanted something that would actually teach Collin the skill of swimming.

I'm not the strongest swimmer--I can do the crawl and the basics but diving kind of freaks me out. So I learned about Dolfun and was a little worried because Collin was actually "old." They start with babies as young as one month to introduce them to the water and it involves dunking then in and out. May sound crazy but there were 2 year olds in Collin's class jumping in without hesitation and swimming by themselves. I watched a kid of about four in the next class swim like a fish.

We had our ups and downs. Collin made progress but would not grasp the concept that opening your mouth and swallowing water is not a good idea. He started getting more comfortable and having fun with his buddy Stellan. But then something happened and he suddenly became a barnacle. He clung to me for about a month in our once a week classes. I started dreading it and wondered if I was crazy for shelling out a bunch of money. But the teacher Diana is wonderful and told me it was normal. Kids went through phases and he was most likely "acting out" for me. When he swam with her he was fine.

About three weeks ago the parents started rotating out of the pool while Diana worked with the kids by themselves. Collin was definitely not as advanced as the other kids who are all able to practically paddle across the pool without help.

The first week I sat on the sidelines while Collin was with Diana, it was a scream fest. Collin aka. Mr. Dramatic screamed and screamed and looked at me with betrayal. He tried to escape the pool and run over to me several times. I give him waves of encouragement but it's hard to see your kid like that. He wailed for the whole 30 minutes of class and by the time class was up he was snotty, whimpering and red faced. I felt terrible.

Then, a magic thing happened. The next week I talked to Collin about how he would be alone with Teacher Diana in the pool while I watched him, and that if he cried I would have to walk outside. It was like he flipped a switch because this time he was a completely different kid. It may have also helped that the class was divided into two sessions and now Collin only had two other kids with him. He laughed, he eagerly jumped, he let Diana pour water over him. And then of course there was the highlight of the class. A lollipop after he was all showered and dressed.

Next week, same thing. Except this time the other kids were absent so Collin got a private lesson. And I had my camera handy.

From Winter 2010-2011

He still doesn't quite understand holding your breath but this week he actually wanted to wear his goggles. (Before it was torture trying to put them over his head).







He was giddy, he loved floating on his back and went under water to grab toys. And while he's not quite at the level as the other kids he has made huge strives from when we started. I'm excited to see him learn how to be in the water and enjoy himself (preferably while staying afloat!) Maybe he'll have a lifelong joy of swimming, or uh be the next Michael Phelps. At the very least I'm confident we'll be able to go on vacations and take him in the water without feeling too paranoid.

New Year's Resolution: Update this blog more

2011 wow it sounds so futuristic. It's been a busy year. Collin has grown into a rambunctious, talkative, gregarious boy. Not baby. A hybrid toddler, a near preschooler. Three in just a few months!



He has been in big boy underpants for nearly a month without any accidents for a while. Actually telling us when he has to pee was a huge milestone. Poop is another story. We try to bribe him with chocolate kisses but who wouldn't want to just let it all go in a pull-up when your parents can wipe your ass? Still it's pretty nice not to have to buy economy sized packages of diapers anymore. He's getting better about using big toilets in public places but it's not like he can just take down his pants without any help. I'm looking forward to those days...

He loves to hear stories about monsters and pirates and I wonder if we could have anymore of a BOY. Trucks, building things, the movie Cars, his tool set, Blue and his other stuffed animal friends are some of his favorite things. I love watching him enter a new world when he uses his imagination. He cooks soup, drinks coffee, fights pirates and goes on adventures with Blue. He is dramatic as ever and considering one of his favorite things to do at the Children's Museum is bounce around the stage I think he might do well in theater classes when he's a little older. He's in swimming lessons with his buddy Stellan and moms and dads will be out of the pool this next session.

New Year's Eve was quiet but nice. I watched Toy Story 3 with Collin and then Mike and I made ourselves a gourmet dinner complete with chocolate ecstasy from a local dessert shop. We barely made it to midnight. A little pathetic but the days of clubbing and staying out until 3 am complete with a hangover the next day are pretty much over. Not to mention I'm an easy drunk these days. Give me a couple glasses of wine and I'm good. Not that I'm never guilty of overindulgence...

Mike and I pledged to a ban of alcohol, junk food and sweets for January to start the year off right. Except dark chocolate. Because antioxidants don't count.

We also started a kitchen remodel on January 1st! Through a connection from Mike's work we got an awesome deal for an installation of new cabinets (including a pantry woohoo) and counter tops. Goodbye ugly laminate cabinets, goodbye outdated ceramic tile counter top and we bid adieu to you cheap looking white track lights. It won't make our pint sized kitchen any larger but it will add cabinets and counter tops which are essential when you like to cook as much as we do. Not to mention maple and granite will help the space aesthetically. In the meantime any prep work for cooking is done in our living room and the only place we can wash dishes is our pedestal bathroom sink. Meaning we'll be eating a lot of take-out in the next week. But it's a quick project and since our appliances were already pretty new and updated we don't have to worry about that part at least.

Next up will be refinishing the fir floors including ripping out the hideous carpet in the dining room. The house has been an ongoing project since we bought it five years ago and I will say it again (never buying another fixer!) But seeing the changes and getting to enjoy them for a little bit, whether it's months or another year before we sell, are definitely worthwhile. And it adds value.

I'm looking forward to posting the before and after shots of the kitchen when it's complete!

Christmas

Christmas with Collin was a little more exciting this year as he could kind of understand the whole Santa concept (Santa = candy). He also didn't once try to tear down the tree or pull off all the ornaments. He even left the wrapped gifts under the tree alone. The lights were probably his favorite part.

"Dada made the lights," he repeated over and over at the impressive light display Mike put up.

He also had fun decorating and of course turning on the Christmas tree lights.



I took Collin to the mall for his first Santa shot. After a 20 minute wait in line he sat perfectly stoic on Santa's lap while the photographer tried to entice him to smile by waving and making faces. Nothing. But at least he didn't scream. Though truthfully I find the pictures where the kid is shrieking more memorable than a smile. He got his lollipop and for a ripoff $22 I got three 5x7's.

Collin met Santa again on the holiday express train ride we went on by Oaks Park with Nona and Papa. The trains were decked out in lights and it was pretty cute, though not the most impressive view. This time Santa gave Collin a candy cane. And I have to say this Santa looks a little freaky so I couldn't blame him for not smiling.



We hosted a pre Christmas appetizer party for family on the 23rd and poor Mike painted our whole living room the day before, finishing late at night (must say the new gray blue color makes the room seem bigger and lighter).

Christmas morning Collin eagerly ripped open all his presents and tried to open ours. The biggest hit of the day was the helicopter Mike got from his parents. When the helicopter takes off Collin erupts in squeals and laughter. And I must admit it is very cool.







All the presents and craziness of the morning proved to be a little much for Collin


We took the helicopter later on to my parents house for Christmas dinner and it was met with a consensus of awesomeness. (Both my mom and brother ordered one so let the helicopter wars commence!). It was nice to spend time with my aunt Sherry and cousin Olivia and Collin got to open up even more gifts.