Our Little Fish

Remember the days when Ryan was so very terrified of swimming lessons? Well, those days are over. We have definitely turned a corner, that's for sure. She loves to go now. She wants to swim just like Ariel (the Little Mermaid). She takes her own goggles to class (and plays with them in the bath every night too). Having no fear has led her to get better with her skills too. She had a substitute today, Natalie, but that didn't pose a problem (as it would have in the past). Here are some pictures of the things she is working on.

These are "kickers." This is where she practices kicking back and forth across the pool.


Here she is standing on an island in the middle of the pool. She jumps off, rolls over to float, kicks a little on her back, and then flips back over to swim to next island.

Here is the jump.

And I know you can't see Ryan, but that is her under the water swimming to the next island. Don't get too excited though, by the time she goes under water again to "swim" to the next island, it is only like 2 feet away. But nevertheless, we are very proud of her. She is making tremendous progress since we started back at swimming lessons this year.

Naked Balloon Chase

I know, I know... the title sounds a little racy but what else am I supposed to call it? Lol. That is exactly what it was. Post bath time games are always so full of energy and so much fun. I guess being naked brings out the best in all of us. You should know that this particular ended with Charlie making a puddle of the bathroom floor. Oh ya, now I remember why I try to keep these naked play times to a minimum these days.

Just Because...

... "someone" (who shall remain anonymous) REALLY, REALLY needed a fix. I'm so sorry that these are old pictures. My camera has been gathering dust these past few weeks but I promise to get back on the ball. We have some fun picture moments coming up in the next few weeks.

• PreSchool Open House (They are studying about bugs in preparation. So darn cute.)
  
• Ryan's Dance Recital
• PreSchool "Community Service Day" when Daddy (with the help of mommy) will be speaking to preschoolers about the produce industry.
  
• Last Day of School
• And lots of summer fun...
  

Stay tuned...

The 7 Stages of Easter in the Eyes of Toddlers

On Easter Sunday we had a lovely morning with Nonna, Grandpa, Uncle Mike, Aunt Nancy, and Cousin Katie. We had a very yummy brunch at Duke's at the Huntington Beach Pier, watched the Masters Tournament, and basically had lots of good Easter cheer. But in the eyes of toddlers... there are exactly 7 steps to a successful Easter. No fewer. No more.
Here are the steps...

Step 1: The Hunt
Step 2: The Count

Step 3: The Good Sport

Step 4: The Comparison

Step 5: The Eats
Step 6: The Gifts

Step 7: More Eats!!!

Ryan's Dance Recital

Hello All! Anyone remember this little girl in the picture? This picture was taken almost a year ago at Ryan's first dance class. And now we are already for her first dance RECITAL!!! Time flies!
So... this post is to let you know that Ryan's very dance recital is going to be Sunday, May 27th. The time is TBA. It will either be at 12:00 or 3:00 (I still need to confirm which of these shows Ryan's class participates in. I'm pretty sure it is the 12:00 show). I realize that it is Memorial Day Weekend and falls on the same day as Patrick's graduation so we totally understand that many will not be able to make it. But for those of you who are able to and would like to see our little ballerina do her "thang", tickets go on sale this weekend. Let us know if you'd like to come by this weekend (April 14) and I'll buy the tickets so we can sit all together. I will get the place and directions out at a later date and we can also plan to BBQ at our house afterward too!

Breakfast for Two

Shhh, don't tell dad...This morning for breakfast, I let the girls sit at their "tea table" and eat cereal together. Yes, cereal WITH milk, WITH a spoon, IN the tv room. Dad would have cringed the whole time saying, "I think this is a bad idea. Mark my words, I think this is a bad idea." Hey dad, at least I put bibs on them! And hey, the waffles weren't messy so it's I consider it a compromise.

Guess Who is Practicing Being a Big Girl?

You guessed it... Little Miss Charlotte!

And no, don't get any ideas. She is NO where ready to be potty trained and we are NO where near attempting to start that process but... she likes acting like big sister Ryan. She gets the little seat from under the cabinet, attempts to put in on toilet (see picture), and not to be too graphic, makes all the facial expressions of one using the restroom. Unfortunately (or fortunately, however you look at it) I didn't capture any of those looks on camera.

Soon enough, Charlie. Soon enough. Don't rush. I'm not quite ready for you to grow up.

"Where's Charlie?"

Charlie likes to run away before bathtime. We play a lot of hide-n-seek in our house but this isn't usually the time we like to play (that would lead to "puddles" in strange places if you know what I mean). She thought that she found a good hiding place in the corner. However, I don't think she realized we could hear her laughing.

P.S. Good arm placement Charlie for the naked picture. You'll be happy you did that in about 12 years. Haha!

Rockin' Rainboots

Last week when it rained (well, more like drizzled), Ryan insisted that this was the day that she was going to get to wear her new rockin' rainboots. The Smith family bought them for her for her birthday and she has been patiently waiting for the rain. I have to say, she would put fashionistas like Mischa Barton and Paris Hilton to shame in her skinny jeans and skull and cross bones rainboots. Love, love, love the boots!! Thanks to the Smiths!