Fun With Cousins

On Tuesday, June 25, we met Shawn's cousin Don's wife Jessica and their two kiddos, Ben (age 5) and Jordyn (age 2) at Overlook Park to play after swim lessons. Thankfully when we arrived, Jess said she spotted a shaded playground closer to the pool. So, we all ate our packed lunches there beneath the trees and let the kids play and play. They had a great time!

Jessica & I seem to have a lot in common - from taking pictures of our kids and blogging to our views on life and family. It's always fun to catch up with her! I also enjoy getting ideas from her on things to do with kiddos. She already has sweet little Jordyn potty trained! We had a fun time at the playground together. Trying to get five kids to both look and smile at the camera without waving their hands or making funny faces at the same time is next to impossible, but these were the best ones we got. :)

I left and realized that I still have Ben's shirt from Easter! Whoops! I guess that gives us another excuse to get together again!

Lil Swimmers

Caleb & Joshua took swim lessons starting Monday, June 17 - Wednesday, June 26 through Manheim Township Recreation Department. I wish I had better things to say about the overall experience. Originally, I scheduled the boys for the LEVEL 2 lessons that were to be held from 10:25 to 11:15 in the morning. But, the secretary only enrolled Joshua and forgot to put Caleb in the class. After reminding her of my second child, I received a message saying that that time was already too full because an instructor got hurt and could no longer be there. She noted that the maximum number of children had to be six to accommodate for one instructor. I immediately questioned six - wasn't the ratio 5:1 (or ten children to two instructors)? She said that they could do a max of six to one instructor due to the instructor injury. I was forced to take the earlier lessons from 9:25-10:15, which was really unfortunate for several reasons. First, my nephew was in the 10:25 Level 1 class so my sister and I were going to be able to go together. Second, I had to work on Thursday morning, and my sister was going to take the boys while John was in his lessons. Now, we couldn't have the time we wanted.

I wasn't thrilled at the situation, but I wanted the kids to learn how to swim. They may never be on the swim team, but I want to know that if they fell into a pool or out of a boat that they wouldn't drown. That is my goal for them for swim lessons. The first day, there were six children, and the kids all enjoyed doing things with the kick boards, noodles, etc. The next day there were seven kids. My sister also noted that there were seven in the later class that we were supposed to be in. I contacted the secretary and she said that she accidentally added a seventh to the later class, but typically there was only to be six. The instructor also added a child to our class because the parent enrolled them in level 1 and the boy could swim better than that. Although that's unfortunate, I don't see how that's fair to my kids who had to wait longer in between their turns with the instructor. Not only that, many of the children were very poorly behaved, so the teacher spent a majority of her time telling the kids to get back to the wall while my kids waited patiently. One of the other students (not my kiddos) asked why they hadn't had kick boards since the first day, and the instructor explained that with only two kick boards, they didn't have enough equipment for seven kids. UGH!!!

I was annoyed. Once again, I contacted the secretary. I then spoke to her boss, and her boss' boss. I specifically asked about the maximum number of students in the class as I was comparing prices and timing from the different options available - from the Lititz Recreation Department to Universal Athletic Club to these lessons and others. I made my decision based on the price, the instructor to child ratio and the time offered. When I asked the township supervisor about the quantity of class time my children had received for the money I paid, she said that they never promised a 6:1 ratio, even though I have the email with them noting that the maximum number of students per class was six. So, for any other moms who read this blog and are considering options for swim lessons, I would beware of the Manheim Township Parks & Recreation Department since they will go beyond the ratio of students to instructors that they guarantee, which means that your children will have less instruction time and time to practice for what you pay.

All that said, Joshua did really great with the lessons. He put his head in the water immediately and dove down to get the rings when asked. He really worked on his front crawls and is swimming pretty well, in my opinion. He even scares me doing his dead man float! You can see him pictured above with his goggles. I was thoroughly impressed with him and his effort! The instructor said he needed to be able to swim greater lengths on his back to be able to pass this level. I hope to enroll him again, but I doubt it will be with Manheim Township. I have NO desire to give them more of my money, only to have the rules change as they go. If two instructors would have been present, one could have dealt with discipline issues - or really safety - while the other could have spent more time with the instruction. Or if one instructor would be there, to have less kids (keeping to the maximum number of students to class that they advertise) so that each one got their fair share of time to practice the skills.

Caleb wouldn't put his face in at first, but it was FREEZING this early in the morning (again - it was an earlier time than I had picked!). He did great the last couple days when it was warmer, but that wasn't long enough to get most of the skills being taught. He'll definitely need more time in the water - but he's also a full two years younger than his brother.

To practice the skills, we've gone to Mamaw's pool several times in June. She left the end of the month to go on vacation, and Ryan said how much he misses her and her "bath" as he calls it. He likes to "swim like a fish" and with flap his arms and kick his legs as long as she's holding him. He also likes to jump in on his own and scare us to death (TURKEY!). He is Mamaw's buddy, though, and doesn't want me when she's around. :) :) :)

The boys have been loving swimming. Caleb went under once at Mom's pool (as I mentioned in an earlier post) but has been doing well ever since. We also have swam several time in Universal Athletic Club's pool, and the boys love it! Caleb does great with a life vest on, and we've let Joshua take off his life vest (keeping a close eye on him, of course). He's doing great! The kids love to go on the bounce house and either slide or jump into the water off of them (depending on if it's the snake/dino thing or the one with the slide).

We love being outside, though, when we can. I'm anxious for all the boys to know how to swim so I don't have to worry so much around water. I realize it will take practice!

The boys love Mamaw's noodles. One day a man showed Caleb how to put the noodle on the water return and shoot water out of it. He thought that was the coolest thing EVER!

Shawn has been very impressed with Joshua's gained strength in swimming. I hope to be able to build on the momentum... We miss Mamaw and her pool! ;-)

Fun Craft Catchup

We had gotten the boys each a book to write their own story. I recommended the theme of "My Fun Summer." Here are the boys starting their books... I'll post more when the books are finished.

At preschool, Caleb had seen these drawings of kids that were 'life size' and painted. I told him we could do that at home. But, then I kept putting it off or forgetting about it. Finally I got out the big roll of paper and stretched it across our kitchen floor to trace the three boys.

After each child was traced, I took some various paints and brushes to the back porch to let them paint there.

Ryan was starting to bug his big brothers by wanting to color their people rather than his own self-portrait, so eventually I took him inside, much to his dismay.

 But the older boys painted and painted!

 When they were finished, we let them dry.

Then we cleaned up all the paint off the back porch floor (thankfully it was washable), cleaned the brushes and threw away the leftover paint cups.

 Here were their finished products:

 Both of them made themselves "Superheroes" in honor of Caleb's upcoming birthday party...

CHOC Walk/Run for Homelessness

On Saturday, June 22, I ran my first ever 5K race. The night before I went to pick up the t-shirt and race packet, and I saw just how many people had registered (over 400?) and it made me nervous. I also had incorrectly assumed that Shawn and the boys would come along with me and Shawn said he was not planning on having the boys go play at the playground while I was running, which made me all the more nervous. I hate doing things by myself. The whole night before, I couldn't sleep. Would I find parking? Would I be able to keep up? Would I know where to go since the race route was very vague in the directions given on the brochure. I tossed and turned until Joshua came in at 4 am having had a bad dream. At that point, I told myself I could just skip it. The $20 I paid was really a donation to the Ministry, I told myself, and it didn't matter one iota if I went or not. That helped me sleep for the next hour or two.

But, when I woke up with my alarm, Shawn said I should just go and do it. I've always wondered what races were like and this was the perfect opportunity to do one. I usually just run for enjoyment, but this race was close to our house at Overlook Park, it was for an organization who I do some consulting work for, and  it was relatively inexpensive. I agreed that I would probably regret it if I didn't just go.

In reading my Bible that morning, I immediately saw this verse before even starting to read. "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights" Habakkuk 3:19. It was a sign and reminder to me that God was with me each step of the way. Why do I fear being alone when my Creator is right next to me? He is my strength! He makes my feet able to run! I felt much calmer and ready to go.

We pinned my number on my shirt and I made myself a vanilla protein shake with banana and was out the door (although never again will I drink anything with dairy in it before racing!). I got there and immediately found parking (praise God!). I took Shawn's new car and was able to tuck just the key door opener thing in the zipper part of my capris, leaving my hands completely free. As I walked up, I ran into my friend Sarah (pictured above in the hat). She was Joshua's soccer coach, and her son Luke also played t-ball this spring. We've gotten to know each other through the kids, and she's super sweet. Sarah was standing with her friend Angie (who I don't know, but seems nice) and Don, who used to be in a life group with us. Don was always a super nice guy, and it was comforting to be able to chat with people right up until the race began.

They called everyone to line up, and I remembered reading that you shouldn't stand too close to the front if you're not super speedy. So, I hung more toward the back, but it did take some time off as you had to wait for everyone to get moving before you could start passing. From there, everyone went at different speeds and I was no longer 'with' people. That's much more what I'm used to - running just for the joy of being outside and having legs that move. I also had read not to shoot too fast out of the gate because you'll quickly tire and may not have the stamina to finish the race. So, I paced myself. At the mile marker, there was someone calling out the split time for each person. I was at just over 8 and a half minutes, which is better than I had thought. My goal, as I had shared with Don, was simply to finish in under 30 minutes. Since a 5K is roughly 3.1 miles, I wanted to make sure I was under a 10 minute mile.

After the mile marker, I began to steadily pass people. Many folks who had shot out of the gate were starting to walk or jog slower. I kept telling myself just to pass the next person. When I got to the halfway point, they offered water. I shouldn't have taken it. I didn't want it, and I actually had to run back to the trash can (whereas most people just threw their cups on the ground; I couldn't bring myself to litter). That also took some time off, but I tried to make it up by accelerating more, knowing that the first half was already behind me. I passed some folks I knew, who I said hello to along the way.

At the end, I tried to go a little faster when I knew that we were close. Had I realized how close we were, I probably could have sprinted more to the end. But, I was starting to feel that shake in my belly and wishing I hadn't bothered to eat at all before the race (normally I don't eat first thing in the morning before running, so why did I think I needed it this day?). I also slowed right before the finish line to look down and see what the clock said. So, my official finish time was 24:49.63. That was GREAT compared to my goal of finishing in less than 30 minutes. I may have been able to do slightly faster, but I was thrilled with my first race attempt.

Honestly, it might be my only race attempt. I run simply because I enjoy it and the exercise. But I was curious to see how I might do in a race - not on a treadmill and actually being timed. It was fun! After I finished, I went back to my car to grab my camera and got the above pictures. I had run into Maria and Carissa, both of whom I knew from Water Street Ministries. Maria is my contact there who I do some work for, and Carissa used to work there with volunteers. Carissa is also Shawn's (2nd?ish?) cousin, who I see at family reunions, and she is also super sweet.

Shawn had tried to come see me after all with the boys, but my cell phone wasn't working so I didn't get to catch up with them. He also didn't realize that I was done racing long before he ever got there. But, it was nice that he tried. I was glad I didn't back out at the last minute. I learned some things about myself along the way, and I also was reminded just how much God cares for us in even the little things. He provided me with that passage just to calm my nerves before something so insignificant as a race. It was a nice reminder of His ever-present love for us. I finished 88th out of all those runners - far better than I expected. Thank You, Lord!

 The following day, I went to an event at the Vineyard at Grandview (which Shawn's Mom's Cousin owns and operates) with some other Moms who run in Lancaster. It was nice to meet some other ladies who enjoy the sport. I went with my friend Laura, who I've gotten to know through Universal. We were to take an appetizer to share or buy a bottle of wine to share. I wish I liked wine, but I really don't - or I should say that it doesn't like me and typically triggers instant migraines when I've tried it. Anyway, I took some shrimp along and got to know some other women in the community who also run. We didn't stay too long but still enjoyed our time. When I got home, I took the boys to Universal and enjoyed a BodyFlow class while Shawn worked on yardwork. That pretty much ended our weekend!

While Daddy's Away, The Kids Will Play!

Shawn left for a business trip the week of June 18. (He was supposed to leave the day before but was able to leave early Tuesday AM so that I could go to dinner with my family). And while I used to positively dread him being away, now that the kids are older, it doesn't feel so bad, even though I miss him.

To make sure the boys weren't missing him like crazy, too, I tried to think of different fun activities to do that week. Here are some pictures of Caleb & I baking pumpkin spice muffins (which Ryan especially LOVES!).

The boys also had swim lessons each morning. If I'm remembering correctly, we went to Mamaw's pool to swim after swim lessons so Ryan could get a turn in the "bath" as he calls it. He loves to "swim like a fish" and hangs onto Mamaw and kicks and splashes all around. Caleb went under and started to flail, but Mom was close enough to grab him. Joshua is doing great putting his face in the water and trying to swim!

On Tuesday night, we went to Universal since I had to ambassador the RPM class. I also stayed for bodyflow thereafter (which is somewhat like yoga) while the kids played. We had played outside in between and done some other activities, and by the time we got home that night, the kids went right to sleep. Caleb usually begs to snuggle, and I had thought about letting him sleep with me in my bed since Shawn was gone. But, he didn't even ask that night because he was SO tired. Shawn called at 11 pm after his meetings to say goodnight to me, and I was also out. It had been a long, fun day!

The picture below is my favorite one of him from baking. :) :) :)

On Wednesday morning, we went to Universal first so I could do BodyATTACK before taking the boys to swim lessons. Thereafter, I let them watch a movie while I mowed our very overgrown lawn. While Shawn had desired to mow the previous weekend, we either had plans or it was raining.

At 1 pm, we went to "story time" at the library. One way I can tell Ryan is getting older is that he LOVED the story time. He sat upon the "sit upon," he listened to the story, he participated in shouting out the different colors of the cat, he danced when it was time for the songs, and I could tell he was having fun with it all. He has gotten so big!

The theme of the story time that day was "ANTS" and the books were about ants, and the craft afterwards (which we rarely stay for but the kids really wanted to do that day) was the above spoons with black pipe cleaners to make their own ants.

After story time, the old two boys went to Stoner Park to have a "backyard Bible study" with Aunt Becky and their cousins while Ryan went home to nap. The kids made little posters of themselves and they each went around saying what they liked about the other person. I dug them out old Bibles to take along, which they treasured. In fact, later that night, Caleb brought me his Bible to read to him before bed. We just happened to open to Psalm 34, which says:

¹ I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
⁹ Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.
¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
¹¹ Come, my children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² Whoever of you loves life
    and desires to see many good days,
¹³ keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are attentive to their cry;
¹⁶ but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to blot out their name from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
²⁰ he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

²¹ Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord will rescue his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

I had thrown a cheesy chicken & mushroom casserole in the oven before going to pick up the boys after the Bible study, and Aunt Becky came back to our house afterward to watch the boys while I went to get my hair done. Joshua said that the casserole was delicious - the best thing he'd ever eaten! I thought it was sweet (especially since I forgot that we didn't have any french fried onions to put on top - like the kind you put in green bean casserole). I had made green beans to go with it, and set the table with bread & butter and applesauce before I left.

When I got home, I discovered Aunt Becky had pulled a muscle in her driving leg while she was playing with the boys, was in severe pain and had called Uncle Tim to come help her get home. He arrived shortly after I did. I followed them back to their house (with the boys in my minivan) and then drove him back here to pick up her car. He helped load the nasty grass-filled cans into my car to take to the dump. I stopped for ice cream for the boys to enjoy that night - each one getting their own cone (which Ryan loved!).

Since they were all a sweaty mess by the end of the night, I gave them a bath. Aunt Jen had gotten Ryan bath tub paints that are like body wash for his birthday, and I opened them and let the boys try them out. There was red, yellow and blue, but they mostly opted for the blue. Rub-a-dub-dub, I had three little men in a tub!

The next day was Thursday. We went to swim lessons and I had to pull them out early because I needed to ambassador yoga that day as a favor to a sweet gal who needed the morning off. After Universal, I had a doctor's appointment, so our babysitter came to stay with the boys while I was gone since Aunt Becky was hurt and Mamaw had plans. I was only gone for about an hour, so when I got back, I asked her to stay while I took a run in the glorious outdoors. I love to be outside and hadn't had the opportunity since Shawn had been gone. Later that evening, I took the boys to the playground behind our house.

We left when Ryan fell trying to get his 'basket-a-ball' (as he calls it) and got a really bloody nose and cheek - poor guy!

We ended our night with a family movie. The boys slept well once again, and Shawn got home extremely late after everyone had been in bed. We had had a fun week, but we were really glad Daddy was home!

Happy 81-months, Joshua!

On Tuesday, June 18, Joshua turned 81-months old. He was officially a kindergarten graduate at that point. His last day of school was Thursday, June 13. Here he was leaving school. That morning was a TERRIBLE thunderstorm complete with lightning and heavy rains, so I drove him to school rather than walking his last day. But, the rain was finished by the time it was time to go get him (which was really early at 10:15 that morning). We were supposed to have a play date with friends, but they couldn't make it at the last minute. So, I promised Joshua that we could get his favorite Little Caesar's for lunch. We first went to Walmart to get a few things because pizza shops don't open until 11 am. :) :) :) And he wanted it right away!

I cried when picking him up. He looked so big! And he's going to be gone all day next year - his school literally doesn't let out until almost 4 pm. :( :( :( But, he happily reminded me that we have all summer together. Yes, indeed! Let's enjoy our time together! The day before he had given me this plant that he and his classmates had signed. It had beautiful flowers at first, but it obviously has since died. It said thank you for helping in the classroom.

When I had walked him to school earlier that week, a woman stopped me and told me she reads this blog. SMALL WORLD! She had stumbled upon it, she explained, when looking for info about NICU babies. And she said she enjoys the stories of the kids. It was very sweet. :)

T-ball ended the week before, and his coach Mike said that Joshua had done a great job this season and was definitely ready to move on to 'coach pitch' where he was sure he'd do well. It was a nice email.

After school had ended, I told Joshua he couldn't play electronics one day until he did some school activities. He agreed (reluctantly). He finished his entire June math calendar and easily read me ALL the first grade sight words, along with a couple other activities before I let him go. He does the work with ease, but he's not as interested in doing it if there are other things to do that seem more fun.

Joshua's two top front teeth are really coming in. The one is pretty well the whole way down, and the other one has poked through his gums. Again, it makes him look so old to me!

The day before his 'birthday' he started swim lessons. He quickly and easily put his face in the water and head the whole way under. He is doing really well with it, which I will post about separately.

Happy 81-month birthday, Joshua!