Splish Splash

Pinky is over half way through her first set of swimming lessons.  It's been so much fun watching Pinky as she becomes more comfortable in the swimming pool!    You are probably wondering what swimming lessons are like for a 2-year-old.  Well, these are some of the skills her teacher is working on with the class:

• blowing bubbles
• splashing
• learning that you move when you kick you legs
• reaching towards objects (balls/rubber duckies) floating in front of you with both hands
• floating on your tummy
• floating on your back (one of Pinky's favorites)
• feeling what happens when you push your body off the sides of the pool in the water
• jumping in, and maybe even going under
• trying to build independence in the water

These are some of the songs we sing when working on these skills:

• "The Wheels on the Bus"
• "Twinkle Twinkle"
• "If You're Happy and you Know It"
• "Ring Around the Rosie"

We try to take turns so that she is comfortable in the water with both of us . . . She's probably more daring with her dad and more clingy with me.  But it's fun, and wet, and quite an adventure! 

January

January has never been one of my favorite months . . . after packing up Christmas, it has always felt like a long 31 days of bitter cold and lots of snow to "get through"!  To be honest, I find that it's usually a good month to hybernate.  January 2012 has been a different story at our house!

Thanks to an unusually mild January, it was actually 50 degrees on Pinky's birthday.  Imagine that!  We spent the afternoon outside enjoying the beautiful weather . . . without coats, mittens, hats or boot.  AWESOME!  I take that back, we did make Bella wear a hat . . . if you call a bike helmet a hat . . . when she cruised around on her new 4-wheeler!

Pinky's birthday party included friends and family (complete with a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa); Minute to Win It Games; a butterfly cake; and as many of Pinky's favorite treats and snacks as we could (M&Ms, fruit loops, gold fish, pizza and chips & dip). 
In addition, Pinky has started swimming lessons, which means for the last 4 Saturdays (and next 5), we have had the chance to enjoy a nice warm swimming pool, where Pinky is becoming more comfortable and confident in the water.  Lessons typically include singing familiar songs incorporating lots of action: kicking, reaching, twirling, splashing, dipping the ears, and blowing bubbles!  If you ask her about lessons, she'll quickly reply "ring around the rosie."  Evidently one of her favorite songs in the pool.

We've used our shovels a few times this month, but to be honest, I find the few inches of white fluff out thereto be quite lovely . . . I'd much rather look at a little white snow than dead grass . . . and it's way more fun to play in.  Pinky enjoys playing outside any chance she can get.

January was a busy month:  Birthday party, outdoor adventures, swimming lessons, and visits with family and friends.  Hybernation was not on the list this year! 

Maiden outside voyage for her new wheels!

With her "number".  We're still working on "2".

Butterfly cake.  YUMMY!

Swimming Lessons

Shoveling snow with her rake!

And yes, we did get a family birthday hat picture this year! 
Just before bed!

Now, bring on SPRING!!!!  HA!