Making Progress

You may remember Emily's swim lessons two years ago, which didn't turn out so well. Last year we started her in private lessons with my cousin Colleen, and after the initial few weeks filled with screaming tantrums, she's made some baby steps strokes, mostly just learning how to kick and stroke while still holding onto Colleen. Recently, though, Colleen asked if she could start pushing Emily more to break through her plateau, and I had to hold myself back from shouting, "YES! PLEASE! DO IT!" Well, today, they finally made a teensy breakthrough when Colleen let go of Emily (or, really, when Emily let her let go), all of course while Emily was perfectly safe holding onto the floating barbell by herself.

Soon we're going to start all over again with Kate. Let's just hope our little daredevil catches on sooner!

Princess Ballerinas

This week Emily and her best friend Kelly had "Princess Camp" at their ballet studio. The girls danced ballet and tap and ended each day with a princess craft. I only managed to sneak peeks at the beginning of her first day and the end of her last day, but oh how I wish I could have watched her tap dance! She did show me her shuffle-step move at home, and besides, watching them start their ballet lesson was a treat in itself.

I particularly liked when it was time to shake out the giggles.

Then it was time to get serious. Look at those pliés!

The first day started with a puzzle as all the girls arrived at class, and the last day ended with a dress-up party featuring all the crafts they had made -- a crown, skirt, necklace, bracelet, and magic wand -- and, of course, CUPCAKES!

I think it's safe to say that this camp was a hit. Emily was all smiles, without a single tear. I'm sure we'll be back next year, and then the year after that Emily and Kate will be able to do it together. How fun will that be?!

Swimming Smiles

Emily started taking swim lessons with my cousin Colleen back in early April, and while she has loved swimming on her own with a little help from her froggy, she hasn't been too keen on swimming completely on her own. (In case you forgot, her lessons didn't go so well last year either.) It took a few tries (and some promises of ice cream), but she no longer spends the entire lesson crying. What's more, she actually has a smile on her face!

She still doesn't like to get dunked, but she's now putting her whole face into the water, blowing bubbles, and learning how to kick and use her arms. Needless to say, we're very proud of her -- and so grateful to Colleen.

Back when Emily was crying throughout the lesson, Kate and I had to stay outside so we'd be out of her eyesight to keep her from crying even more, but now that we can stay inside and watch from the pool deck, I think we're all happier because of it. Emily and Kate certainly are.

Keep smiling, Kate. Next year it will be your turn!

Leotard? Check. Slippers? Check.

Today is THE FINAL DAY, the day of Emily's first official ballet class. She was so happy and excited that she didn't even mind one bit posing for me and showing off some of her favorite ballet moves, not to mention her new leotard and ballet slippers.




Emmy was sad not to be in the same class as her best friend Kelly, but fortunately another friend from school, Ava, is in this class, because it really does help to have another friend there with her.


I don't know about Emily, but my favorite part of the class is at the end where they run around the room flapping their wings like butterflies. I realize it has very little to do with ballet, but they look so adorable in their pink leotards and ballet slippers and just seem to have so much fun with it. I wonder how much longer it will be before Kate is asking to join her big sister?

Emilina Ballerina

During our trip to the playground with Kelly last Tuesday, her mom Marisa told me that the following day was bring-a-buddy day at Kelly's ballet class and invited Emily to join her. I have been wanting to start Emily in ballet anyway, and when Emmy overheard and excitedly said she would like to go, I couldn't resist. Unfortunately, later that night, Marisa told me that she had the dates confused, and bring-a-buddy week was actually this week, which meant I've spent the past week telling Emily "not today, not the next day, not the next day...but the next day." Finally, today, the next day is here, and it did not disappoint.





(Note that she is the only one not in proper form. Such a beginner!)



She had so much fun, and I had so much fun watching her, so I think this is just the start of something good. I don't know which one of us is more excited to sign her up for more classes!

Gearing up for Summer

On Tuesday Emily had her first swim class of the season. She was so excited in the days leading up to it, telling everyone and anyone all about it.






Unfortunately, in a matter of minutes, she went from happily swimming towards the side of the pool to hysterically crying because she went underwater while jumping to her teacher.


She kept crying and asked to get out of the pool, so we spent the second half of the class watching the other kids. After class, I took her to buy goggles, hoping it would help her feel more comfortable going underwater. She picked out a green pair -- her new favorite color -- and was so excited to try them out at her next class. So today she got in the pool with her fancy new googles, and no sooner was she in the pool that she was crying to get out again. This time we spent the whole class watching from the side, so after class I decided to pull her from the class and wait until we can try another parent-child class. We are officially swim class drop-outs!

What Do You Mean Today Is Our Last Swim Class?

Okay, really, the look is more like, "Stop trying to take my picture and just give me my towel!" but I think she probably would have given me a similar look if she knew it really was our last swim class together. We had so much fun that I know we both are going to miss it, but summer will be here soon enough, right?

Swim Dunk

Emily and I are halfway through our swim classes, which are all about getting young toddlers used to the water. Mostly we sing songs and practice kicking and blowing bubbles, but today was a big day for the class as it was the first time they all went underwater!

At the end of class, now with a wet head, Emily was extra cold after getting out of the water, so while I wanted to take a couple pictures to commemorate the big event, all poor Emily wanted to do was warm up and get dressed.




Still, she couldn't resist giving me a smile to reassure me that she still loves our swim class together even with the sneak dunk attack!

Last Day of Soccer

Today was Emily's last day of Soccer Seeds, and while at first she seemed more interested in lying on the ground than kicking the soccer balls, we realized she has learned a thing or two from the classes. It may have taken a few weeks, but she finally learned to sit (or lie) on the white line!




She also got to play her new favorite game with her new favorite toy, a ring frisbee. The kids had to use the rings to steer their imaginary boats, and then jump into the rings whenever someone spotted a shark.



Then came another new activity, running through the ladder. Emily loved this one too!



Like always, the class ended with the parachute. They put "popcorn" balls inside, and of course Emily cared more about grabbing the balls than making them pop but still had fun as usual!


A great end to a great class!

Soccer Balloons

Today we had our second Soccer Seeds class. Emily did a little better following the group this time, but she still liked playing on her own best. One game we played was kicking around a balloon instead of the soccer ball, and of course it was Emily's favorite part!


We ended the day with more parachute play, and this time the kids got to pile on top while the parents spun them around. Apparently Emmy liked it a lot because she kept trying to climb on top even when the kids were supposed to go underneath!

Our Soccer Star

Today Emily had her first "Soccer Seeds" class. It took her a little bit to warm up to it, but once she did, she was running around and kicking the ball like crazy!





Her favorite part was having free reign to run around the field, and she needed some encouragement with the other activities. First we did a warm-up where everyone ran across the field. Well, everyone except for Emily, who preferred doing her own thing, but that changed once Mommy jumped in to play Red Light Green Light with her.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huEiA04i9cY

Emily really wanted to play with the cones, and she finally got her chance. We had to balance the ball on the disc and balance the cone on top, and then kick the ball.





Next we played with the parachute, first lifting it up over everyone's heads, then running underneath it, and then singing the motorboat song.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGGM3vJ65J4

We ended the class with a hands-in and a group cheer. Can't wait until next week!