A Seriously Proud Mommy Moment

Christian and Scarlett fight - a lot. But there moments like this when I see they really do love each other. Here, Christian (6.5) helps Scarlett (2.5) put on her shoes. I did not ask him to do it - he took the initiative and sat her down to help her.

Seriously Proud Mommy Moment!

A Huge Advancement: Christian Jumps in Pool

So Christian has been in swimming lessons for over two years now.  And while he does great in the pool during lessons, he really struggles with independence when we go to another pool. He wants to be independent, but when he starts to sink under the water, he doesn't know what to do (which is surprising).   

Until today.

We were at a swimming party, and Jonathan had to work.   So I was trying to keep an eye on both kids, also knowing that there were numerous parents around the pool keeping an eye on things.  It suddenly caught my attention that Christian had jumped off a high wall and into the pool ... and he popped right up and swam to the side.

WHAT??  Christian????

I asked him to do it again so I could capture it on camera.   After that, he jumped over and over and over again.   Sometimes popping up from the water and floating on his back, sometimes swimming on his stomach.   

He must have simply been inspired by the other children jumping.  He never announced to me that he was going to do it.   He never said, "Mommy, look what I did!"    He was just in his own happy world.

I am so, so, so proud of our lil' swimmer!   This advancement is HUGE!

Enjoy this cute video!

Show and Tell

I was fortunate today to arrive just in time to see Christian give his very first Show and Tell presentation of the year!   His class last year didn't do Show and Tell, so I was impressed with the confidence he had today.

Christian's First Day of Kindergarten V2.0

Today was the big day!  Christian's first day of kindergarten V2.0.     We are so thrilled he got the teacher whose classroom adjoins last year's teacher and he will get to see her, too, on a regular basis.

Christian liked his afternoon of "extended care."  There are only 12 kids in the class and they do all sorts of fun things.   One thing that is included is "Brain Rest," where the kids have to lay on a cot for 45 minutes.  At Meet the Teacher Night, I asked if the kids would be allowed to read a book and the answer was no.   They really do have to lay there and do nothing.  Turns out, Christian took a nap, and for that I am glad.  He's in school this year from 7:30am - 4:00pm.  And that is a LONG day for a little kid!

Christian's Official First Day of Kindergarten Photo

Our Strawberry, Arizona Adventure

After near six years of living in Phoenix, we decided it was time to escape the intense heat and head for the mountains.   Our adventure took us two hours away to Strawberry, Arizona.

We stayed at The Cabins on Strawberry Hill and had the best time!  The property and cabins are so nicely maintained and clean.  And the cabin had everything we needed.  And unlike Sedona where we had to leave our lodgings to have fun, we had all sorts of fun playing at the playground, the bonfire roasting marshmallows and going on a short hike.

The weather was wonderful:  warm during the day, cool at night.  Our last night there, we were treated to rain - lot of rain!  

It really was a beautiful location.  If you look at their website, you can see how amazing the place looks in the fall when the trees are changing color, and in the winter when it is covered with snow.  

Can't wait to go back!

View from the back of our cabin 

Another view from the back of our cabin

Scarlett grew tired of the hike. :(

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A Preview of Our Strawberry, Arizona Adventure!

Our Sedona Adventures - June 2014