Christian's Backfloat

I'm excited to share that today, Christian did a back float on his own for the first time!  Scarlett and I were in the lane next to him and I just happened to be watching the moment he did it.  I was just so proud of him!  He's really come a long way in the past few weeks!

He wasn't too sure how to react to having his victory announced to the entire room.  He's got many more ribbons coming his way in the future ... I'm sure he'll get used to it. :)

Swimming Lessons

I am happy to report Christian is doing GREAT with his weekly swimming lessons! 

I am with Scarlett in the lane next to Christian's lane, and so I get occasional glimpses of him during his class.  He's such a little chatter box for most of the 1/2 hour, and he's always asking for a "high five," and his teacher is so nice to oblige him.

We had a bit of a hiccup last week, when Jonathan sat in the pool area (rather than the separate observatio area).   I looked over at Christian to see he was sitting on the edge of the pool crying, and looking right at Jonathan.  The attention I gave Christian didn't  help the situation (I'm his Mommy and I'm RIGHT there ... I can't just ignore him when he's upset).  We figure he was reminded that he's outside his comfort zone and was overcome with emotion.  So this week, Jonathan stayed in the observation area, and Christian was fine.

Below are pictures from his very first lesson.  The staff there is soooo very nice and patient.  In the first picture, he hadn't even tried the water yet, but she coaxed him.   He picked out a "torpedo" from the toys and each lesson, he has it in his had for at least some of the class.

There are no more than four kiddos per class.  The instructor takes one kiddo out at a time while the others wait at the wall.

Below, Christian has something important to say (notice the index finger - ha ha!)

Christian has been going underwater, with his teacher's assistance of course.  We think he might be going to the bottom to retrieve a toy.  We ask him and he says, "Yes."  But we can't tell if he really is, or if they are building up to it.

I was especially proud of him this week.   In the next pool over, they have a "frog slide" that the kids can go down after class.  We've been trying to convince him to go down the slide since day one, but he's always declined.  

Last week, I went down the slide myself to show him it was okay.  Even then, he still declined.

This week, when he was offered a chance to go down, he hesitantly agreed.  I assured him I'd be waiting down at the bottom of the slide to catch him.  He got to the top, and sat down and I knew he was scared.  I smiled my biggest smile and held my arms out, and he got the courage to come down.  I think he went faster than he expected and he had a look of terror on his face.  But I caught him, and praised him like crazy. 

I asked if he wanted to try again ... and he surpirsed me when he said yes.   So, he did it again ... a bit more quickly this time.  Same look of terror, but the look was brief.  He slid down, and had a blast! :)

Listen earnestly ...

Two Peas in a Pod

Christian absolutely adores his baby sister! 

He's always interacting with her, and when she seems him coming, she gets a huge smile on his face.

Happy Independence Day!

Each year, Verrado hosts a Fourth of July parade for the kiddos.  The night before, Christian's school hosts a decorating party and this year, it was time to finally participate!   Christian thought it was pretty cool that he got to ride his trike at school!

To be honest, I wasn't too sure how Christian was going to handle being in the parade.  There were A LOT of kids (and the accompanying parents).  It was busy, crowded and loud. 

I thought back to 2010 when we watched the parade the crowd.  Poor lil' guy held his ears closed much of the time and he didn't enjoy himself.  But he's grown and matured quite a bit int he past two years, so I had hope that he might enjoy the parade this time - esp. if he was part of it.

(As long as we're looking back ... just look at Christian back in 2009:  http://theluceros.blogspot.com/2009/07/happy-independence-day.html.   AWWWWWWWWW!!!)

I am pleased to report Christian was VERY excited - and along with that excitement came impatience when the wait went on, and on and on.   Even baby girl fell asleep in her Bjorn.  And finally, the time arrived, and we were off!!

A couple of videos for your viewing pleasure:

Afterwards, we got some free ice cream and went to a quite area and just sat and relaxed.  It was a very rare overcaset - and occasionally rainy - day.  It was the perfect temperature outside.

It really was a nice day!  And I'm just so proud of Christian for getting out there on his trike and riding along with the rest of the kids.

I'm thinking that for Christian's upcoming fifth birthday, a nifty new bicycle might be in order! :)

Christian's Vacation Bible School Adventures

Tonight Christian wrapped up two weeks of Vacation Bible School (VBS).   This past week, he was at our church, Calvary Chapel Surprise, and the week before that, he was at a Presbyterian church that is just a short drive away from our house.

We were so fortunate to find two VBS locations that held evening session, and which accepted pre-schoolers.   Many churchs only do VBS during the day and the youngest they'll take are kindgarteners.

We found out about the Presbyterian church via one of Christian's now-former teachers with whom I'm friends on Facebook (Facebook sure does come in handy!).  She knows Christian well and how uncomfortable he gets in unfamiliar situations.  It was her teenage daughter who was one of the people working with Christian's class, so I knew he'd be well-taken care of. 

The final day of VBS, they held a concert with songs they'd been working on.  I didn't know about it until I dropped him off that day, and I wasn't sure how he'd do.   Watching him brought tears to my eyes!  He thought I'd left, and didn't realize I was in the audience (as I knew if he knew I was there, he'd either freeze, or insist on sitting with me).

Here are four videos - apologies for the very poor quality.  The closer I zoomed, the worse the quality got.
This one below makes me smile so much ... he was so into the song, and then shouted out a bit late and got kind of embarassed (notice the hands go up over his hears?  That is his coping mechanism).  But he kept going!


In the video below, Christian sees Papa in the room.  He didn't know Papa would be there, so he got extra excited!


I love his enthusiasm in the video below!  You'll notice Miss Scarlett was getting bit fussy - so it was hard to keep the camera still.


The video below was actually their first song.  I love how he claps at the end! :)



The following week was VBS at our own church.  They gave us a CD of the songs ahead of time, which was GREAT!   Familarity is key with Christian and I knew that when in a large room filled with lot of childen, he'd handle the situation much better once familiar music started to play.

This church is quite a drive for us - at least 1/2 hour each way.  But it was well worth it!  He seems to have learned a lot and had a ton of fun.   He requests the songs on the CD while we're in the car, and during dinner he'll say, "Mommy, Papa ... we have to pray for a minute!"  And then he'll put his hands palms-up on the table, bury his face in them and say a prayer that we can barely understand.  Then when he's done, he informs Jonathan it is his turn to pray.  After that, Christian informs me it is MY turn to pray.

I'm just so impresed he handled two weeks of very loud and very busy situations - without Mommy and Papa.

And that, my friends, is progress!!

Not By The (Non-existent) Hair of My Chinny Chin Chin

Christian and Auntie's First Date

Auntie Liz arrived today to take Christian on their "first date" together ... a day of fun together without Mommy and Papa. 

The original plan was for them to go see Madagascar III, but I wasn't too sure how he'd do without us.  So, their first stop was lunch at McDonald's.

Christian did just fine, and even ate his lunch without much prompting from Auntie!

He was still excited for the movie, so ... to the movies they went!

All week, he was very excited tthat he'd be getting popcorn!



He sat though the whole movie just fine!  Though Auntie said he started to get a bit resltess towards the end - but hey, he's four.  What kid isn't restless after sitting down for a couple of hours? :)

One last stop:  Cold Stone Creamery!

Auntie Liz has invited Christian on another date to see Ice Age 4 when it comes out next month.   Either that, or according to Christian, Auntie will be taking him to the aquarium.

I am just so proud of our little guy!  Though he sulked a bit as he headed to the car and left me in the house, after they left, he had a great time ... without his Mommy and Papa!    Our thanks to Auntie Liz for taking Christian out and about to some of his favorite places!

Christian's First Otter Pop

Believe it or not, Christian has never eaten an Otter Pop during his 4.5 years of life.  We still try to avoid giving him sugar (if you've been around him lately, you know he doesn't need the extra energy boost that sugar provides).

I still might have tried to get through one more summer without introducing him to the cold delight of Otter Pops.  However, I noticed that one of the treats at the upcoming Vacation Bible School is Otter Pops.  Christian is very particular about what he eats, and I didn't want him to decline an Otter Pop simply because he's unfamiliar with it.  I didn't want him to be the only kiddo not eating one.



He's not too sure he likes it ... yet ...

He likes it!  He likes it!

... down to the very last drop.

Muffin Monday - June 4, 2012

Today Jonathan loaded up the kiddos and took them to the mall and to Christina's favorite store, Cabela's.

In fact, it was Scarlett's very first visit to Cabela's!

Another Pic in the School Newsletter

Christian's picture was featured in the Goddard School Newsletter for June!

Ms. Mandee and Ms. Alicia both told me me he LOVES to play with shaving cream.  Could it be shaving cream that gets us through this long, hot summer we're faced with?   I'd better stock up!

(click to enlarge photo)

Our Little Tumbler

Earlier this year, we enrolled Christian in "Tumble Tots" - a weekly tumbling class - at his school.  Christian never talks to us about his tumbling class, even though I know he has a blast.  His teacher tells me he gets so excited when the coach comes to pick him up.   


I e-mailed the coach to see how Christian is doing and here's his reply:

Christian has been doing a fantastic job in tumbling and I'm surprised he isn't talking with you about it or showing you his moves. He is one of the most engaged students in the activities and he remembers
the names of the various skills each week. 

 He does an excellent somersault so he should be able to show you that. As far as the handsprings go, he has been doing them but it is a fairly new element and is difficult to show without the proper support equipment. Backbends will be starting this next week so we will see how he does with those. 

Again because of his excitement and engagement level I feel that he is very interested in the tumbling and I hope in the future he is able to take it home to show you.

Awwww ... I'm just so proud of Christian ... and curious as to why he's not telling us anything.  Though, he typically doesn't talk much about his day for some reason.

I wish I could see him in action in class.  But, I know if he were to see me, he'd just want to come sit with me.  And there's no way I can be sneaky about it because his friends will be sure to tell "Christian, your mom's here!!"

I've asked the coach for a list of moves Christian can show us.  Hopefully if we ask him to show us something specific, he will.  

Next up ... starting June 10th, Christian will be taking swimming lessons.  I've told him he'll be learning to swim like a shark, and so far he's very interested! :)

Then ... later in the month, Christian will be attending Vacation Bible School at our new church.  And this time, I will be dropping him off ... not staying with him as I did last year at a friend's church.

I love that Christian is now at an age where we can take him to do these things ... and encourage him to be independent.

Sweet Babies

Summer ... and so it begins ...

The long Phoenix summer has begun.

Christian is now old enough to voice his opinion on the heat.  He somehow feels it in his nose.  We'll walk outside and get blasted with the heat and say, "Mommy, my nose is hot!"

Just wait, young lad.  Soon, every ounce of your being will be hot ... for four long, long months.