Swim Class

LP resumed swim classes again in December. When we were asked to switch to an earlier time (the class the crowded) and found out that she would have Miss Nina in the new class, we jumped at the chance. Miss Nina knows how to get LP to work. While she was able to wrap the young male instructors around her little finger (she had one lifting her out of the pool because she said she was too tired to climb out) she wants to impress Miss Nina and will go out of her comfort zone.

In 3 short classes she made huge strides. She is now swimming without a bubble, swimming underwater, and even trying to touch the bottom of the pool. She really loves to swim, she had her dad in the pool for close to 2 hours during open swim. I can't wait to see where she will be at the end of this 8 week session and in the ocean this summer.

Silly Faces

Waiting on the bleachers for swim class to start.

Ballet Update

Dance class is a big hit. She spends the week in between classes showing off dance steps and ballet positions. One of her preschool friends may be joining her class as well, they were at the last class to register and LP was so excited to show everything off to her.

Ballet and Jazz

LP had her first official dance class today. She actually went last week to try it out, and spent all week doing the portion of the jazz dance that she remembered. She definitely wanted to go back, so we signed her up today.

I love the fact that her class is so small, last week she was 1 of 4, today she was 1 of 3. She is also the youngest in the class and really looks up to the big girls (all of 5 years old) and takes behavior cues from them. She is much more involved than she was in her last session of Little Gym, I think this is going to be great for her.



The class actually started in September and they have been working on the recital routines since then, so she has a lot of catching up to do. But she already knows about 1/3 of the jazz routine, so she may actually get to perform in the recital in June if they can reorder costumes in time.

It always amazes me how environment changes perception. Once she was in her tights and leotard with her hair in a bun, I wanted to cry. She looked so much older, I felt like I was looking at a 7 year old. But when I slipped in at the end of class to catch the last couple of minutes and saw her standing in line between the other girls she looked like such a baby again. I'm trying to keep that image in my head, she is growing up on me too fast.

Fashion Diva

Lilypad Princess took a couple of classes at the Children's Museum while we were away. These were classes without parents, but we could keep an eye on what was happening through a little window. During snacktime, I noticed LP look down at the green plate at her place. Then she looked over at the orange plate at the seat next to her. Then her eyes traveled down to her dress. Before I knew what was happening, she reached over and switched plates, explaining to the teacher that the orange plate matched her dress.

Smile!

Lilypad Princess got her very first school photos back today. I can't believe how old she looks in them, and that's she's old enough to have a school photo.

Playtime

Friends are the best part of school.

The kids were so excited to have class outside today. After the cookies and flower pots were done, they were off and running.



And coloring.



And... ok I'm not sure what this was all about.

Mother's Day at Preschool

Cookies, Tea, and Flower Pots

Today we celebrated Mother's Day at preschool. The kids decorated two sugar cookies each, one for them to eat and one for them to share with us. Once the cookies were decorated, we enjoyed them with some iced tea.


little fingers placing sprinkles one by one


the beautiful cookie decorated by Lilypad Princess just for me

After the tea party was done, the kids finished decorating their flower pots that they painted last week. A few butterflies, ladybugs, flowers, and fireflies were added to the painted pots, then they were filled with soil and seeds.


concentrating on getting the stickers just right

During free play, Miss Sherri rounded all the kids up, who then came running back to us with beautiful roses for Mother's Day.

My Little Fish

Lilypad Princess is taking a much needed nap today after another day at preschool and swim class. Today she spent the entire class with just a #2 bubble on. Last week we attempted the 2 bubble for the first time, but she was very tired after 10 minutes so we went back to the 3 for the rest of class. Today she would grab onto me for about 15-30 seconds at a time to catch a quick rest, but then would swim away on her own again. I am so proud of her, she is really becoming quite the little fish!

Safe Kids

It's official, this June I will turn my carseat obsession into something more useful, I will take the course to become a certified child passenger safety technician. I have registered for the 4 day course, which includes class discussions and hands-on activities installing different kids of seats in different cars.

Car accidents are the number one killer of kids age 1-14. Child safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% for infants, and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to install correctly, and they are often not used correctly. In fact, one study found that 72% of nearly 3,500 observed child restraint systems were misused in a way that could be expected to increase a child’s risk of injury during a crash (NHTSA 2006c). I am really excited to get involved with SafeKids and help make a difference for kids.

Once I have my certification I will be happy to check anyones seat for them. In the meantime, if you aren't 100% comfortable with your seat installation, please go to a carseat check. You can find one near you by going to Seatcheck.org or the National CPS Certification site. For more information about seats and installation, you can check out Car-Safety.org. More information why rearfacing is safest and extended rear-facing can be found here and here.

Suggestions Needed

Next week it is our turn to bring snack to preschool. Right now the kids are learning about colors, so the kids need to wear something of that color and the snack should be that color as well.

Our color is red. So Lilypad Princess and I need to bring a snack that is easy for the kids to eat, doesn't need any immediate preparation (I can do things at home, but it needs to be ready to serve there) and is red. Luckily there aren't any food allergies in the group.

I like to try to bring something healthy, preferable a fruit and a protein since most of the kids have swimming after preschool then go home and crash for a nap. The last time we brought snack (without any color restrictions) I brought cheese sticks, whole wheat crackers, and raisins. Other than apples and strawberries (are they even in season?), I'm really stuck with red for some reason. So please, let me know all your suggestions!

Little Gym Award Day

Today was the final class for this sessions Little Gym. This was the third session of Little Gym for Lilypad Princess and her friends. LP, Munchkinetta, and Buby had a great time swinging from the bars, crossing the beam, shaking the parachute, and especially chasing each other and jumping.

Lilypad Princess was not as thrilled about the medal ceremony this time, even though she ran right up the stairs to get it, she refused to smile for the camera. But for the first time we were able to get all the kids together for a group photo.

1 Year Later

Lilypad Princess first started taking classes at the Little Gym in September 2006. Her first medal day was January 23, 2007, almost exactly 1 year ago. She has developed so much more confidence and coordination in that year, but still loves to do the same things during class. We have added some new favorites through, last year at this time the air track just brought tears, now it's a favorite she doesn't want to get off.

I can't believe how much she has grown and changed in this one year.

Although I think the medal ceremony has lost some of it's glamour, she's not nearly as excited about it now as she was the first time.

Preschool Thanksgiving

Today Lilypad Princess and her friends celebrated Thanksgiving at preschool. After a short dress up session (fairy dresses for LP and Mac and a fur vest for Buby) they donned their pilgrim hats and sat down to a feast. I don't know how much was traditional Thanksgiving fare, but they enjoyed Banana Oatmeal Bread, Cornbread Muffins and Pumpkin Bread with butter made in class, fruit cups, macaroni and cheese, and chicken nugget strips. Then they celebrated Mackenzie's birthday with mini-cupcakes. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so I'm hoping to get some pictures from Buby's mom to share with everyone.

After this big feast Lilypad Princess was ready for the traditional Thanksgiving nap, so swim class wasn't quite as much fun as usual. But she still did lots of kicking and paddling with her daddy. Then she came home and went down for a nap, she's still asleep 3 hours later!

Let the celebrations begin!

A week of Halloween celebrations begin today. We start off with costumes and trick or treating at preschool. I can't wait to see all the kids dressed up! This afternoon we'll pick up a pumpkin and carve a jack-o-lantern.

Tomorrow morning we head over to the bookstore for a costume parade and Halloween storytime. Then tomorrow night is the big night, some trick or treating at the neighbors and then answering the door for all the kids.

Friday is the playdate at our house. The kids can all come in costume and I will have a final Halloween party for them. I love this time of the year and will drag it out as long as possible!

First Field Trip

Lilypad Princess went on her first field trip earlier this week. Luckily it was on PP's daddy's day off and he was able to join us. The preschool went to the same farm we went to last week, LP knew exactly where we were as we pulled into the parking lot.
Her excitement level rose even higher as we walked down the hill and she heard Buby calling for her. They waited patiently for the hayride to begin by checking out the tractors, pumpkins and scarecrows.


They settled themselves next to each other on the hayride and enjoyed the ride up to the Scottish Highland cows. The cows used their long tongues to gently take the offered carrots from all the kids. Then it was off to the pumpkin patch, keeping our eyes open for faces as in the trees as we went.

LP spent some time running around the pumpkin patch and checking out the horses in the next field before finally deciding on a pumpkin and hopping back on the hayride. Then it was time for a bouncehouse, animals and a snack before heading home for a long afternoon nap. But not before sharing lots of hugs with Buby





Thanks to Buby's mom for sharing her pictures, between the two of us we got some great ones!

Work on the walls

Yesterday Lillian's first homework assignment was actually hanging on the wall in classroom. Of course, Nana had to get a picture of it, Gavin's too!

School and Swimming

School went very well today. The theme of the day was trees. The kids started off by putting a leaf with their name onto the tree, then listened to a story about trees. The art project was leaf rubbings and gluing paper "leaves" onto a picture of a tree. They also had their first time in the gym, Lilypad Princess and one of the little boys had fun playing tag.

This was LP's first swim class since April, and my first class back since last fall. I am so impressed with how well she is swimming now. She wore a bubble and actually swam on her own by the end of the class. She climbed out of the pool without any help, and loves to jump back in. Her favorite part of today's class was being thrown up and down in the pool.

First Day of School

Today was Lily's first day of school. It is the 2 year old Preschool at the YMCA. It's an hour and a half class once a week that mommy gets to participate in as well. Starting next week we will have swim class after preschool as well.

After getting ready for preschool and packing her new (HUGE!) backpack, Lily posed for a few first day pictures for us. Then she was off, up the street telling us to hurry up and follow her. Her daddy walked with us all the way to school, and Lily and daddy stopped to pick me a flower along the way.

Daddy left us in the lobby, where we met Buby and his mommy. Once we got into the classroom we met Miss Sherri, Lily's teacher, and the 8 other kids that make up her class. We started off with some free play, including a teaparty with the animals and dolls each child brought.

Next was circle time, with a story about teddy bears (Lily's bear was very good at following directions), a story about Spot the dog and a bunch of songs. Arts and crafts was next, and Tigerlily added 3 stickers to her teddy bear picture before turning it in. Then she colored a picture of a schoolhouse, and colored a bear to make her nametag with. She strung a few beads onto her nametag necklace, then decided to help Buby with his picture of a schoolhouse as well.

We finished up the day with a snack of some teddy grahams and another circle to sing the goodbye song. A very tired little girl walked all the way home, then actually told me that she was ready for her nap.

So we both survived the first day, and I didn't even cry.

Best friends make everything easier

Since we got to preschool a little early today, Lily and I and I were waiting in the lobby when Buby and his mom walked in. Lily had been a little fussy (preschool is right in the middle of normal naptime) but as soon as she saw Buby her little face broke into the biggest smile of the day. She jumped down off the couch and they ran to each other, arms open wide for big hugs. Apparently the week in between Little Gym and today has been forever for them.

After a bunch of big hugs, a couple of kisses, and some running around, it was time to head back to the classroom to start their first day of school. Lily and Buby took hold of each other's hand and bravely walked off together, growing up and away from their moms just a little more.