Just another day

Zac just jumped on Ana's bed while the girls played

Yesterday Ana and Zac had some neighbour kids over to play. They played for a bit, flitting from this to that, finally decided they really wanted to be outside and left. The basement looked like a hurricane swept through it and took me almost half an hour to clean up at the end of the day.

I'm not sure what it is, but lately the kids are just growly. Maybe they are bored with summer, or playing the same things with the same people but... sheesh. So today they are napping and I told Ana I want her to wake up like Ana Joy - not Ana Eeyore. We'll see how that goes!

Ana and Zac were both enrolled in swimming lessons for the month of August. It was supposed to be the type of class where they transition out of the care of the parents into the care of the teacher. It started alright. Sam went in with them the first time and all was good. They both learned how to hum under water, float on their backs, and go down the small slide.

The next class was a nightmare. It turns out they have public swim on at the same time as the lessons so it was terribly loud and rowdy in the pool with kids jumping over the heads of the small kids in the classes, splashing and generally committing all types of mayhem. Zac lasted half the lesson then sat on the side with Sam, crying. Ana managed to finish but Sam had a chat with the manager and the assured him it would be better next time.

The next time Zac lasted about oh...1 second. Sam went in with him and ended up doing the class with him. Ana was ok but the teacher was too distracted by the other totally unruly kids in the class to do much teaching.

The next time Zac stayed home with me.

Ana went and was promised a freezie if she did the whole class with the teacher! It worked - and it probably also helped that all the other kids were not there so Ana had one on one instruction.

So last night I get the kids into the van. Sam is golfing and I'm thinking, I can do this. Zac refused to even get into his bathing suit so he was just going to sit by me. Ana was sure it would be great - she really bonded with Lindsey (her teacher) the last time. So we're standing at the edge of the pool, kids are splashing us and jumping all around us - but no prob, everything is great. The lesson just before us ends and I ask Ana - "Can you see Lindsey?" She's looking - nope can't see her. So we wait a bit. All the other classes start and a 15 year old boy, timid and not at all Lindsey, comes over with his binder. I'm thinking - this is not good. Ana sees him, gets the drift and starts sobbing. Not just her whiny "i don't want to do this" cries, but terrified sobs.

I ask him where Lindsey is and she's not there. Okay. I get Ana into the pool but she will not let go of my leg. Zac is slipping all over the pool deck cause his flip flops are slippery. I could stand in the most shallow end with my capris on but the new teacher looks at me and points - "we're going over there." I glare at him, take Ana's hand and say to them "We're leaving."

Here is Ana just after we left the pool.



Not too happy. Needless to say I think we are done lessons for the time being! Both the kids were crying again when I said that we wouldn't be getting freezies this time.

So ends the saga of our first attempt at swimming lessons. A few things I've learned:

1. Don't take your small children to swimming lessons during a public swim
2. Don't take them at supper time
3. Don't take them together (fear breeds fear)
4. Always offer bribes even if they don't always work

So, this sounds funny, but last night I was so frustrated. Sam was golfing and I thought I was ready to flip out. Thank goodness for friends! Cherie (from next door) brought over supper and we ate together until it was time to put the kids to bed (her husband Scott was golfing with Sam). I am very thankful for friends like Cherie who help me get in my quota of adult conversation when Sam is not home.

Something I was reflecting on today is from Psalm 34: 4&5.

I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

My desire is to always look to Him.

Another Day

Mountain flowers at Baker

It is hard to believe that it's only two and a half weeks until Ana starts kindergarten. She is excited to go to school every day but was a bit upset when she thought she wouldn't be able to come shopping with me anymore! I assured her that it was possible to go shopping at other times of the day!

After a surprisingly quick weekend we are back into another week. Sam is busy getting ready for a big staff retreat that he is hosting at the end of August. He spent today at Cedar Springs having a prayer day - one of the best ways to prepare for a period of business.

I'm at home doing yet another load of laundry (it never ends) and teaching Zac how to vacuum. He's pretty good at picking up the big things and loves to get all the stuff under the couch cushions.

Today I'm thinking about how God gives and takes away and how hard it is to understand the taking away part. Yet in abundance as well as in the absence of abundance we still must say "blessed be the name of the Lord."

Summer Time Fun

We've had a great summer so far with a trip to Manitoba to visit all the cousins and grandma & grandpa and lots of playing outside.

Ana and Zac are good friends and love to hang out together.

It was finally hot enough to play in the pool today. We've had quite a cool summer with only a few hot days. The kids thought it was great that we spent the afternoon outside, lounging!

Zachary sat in the "floatie" for about 20 minutes. He floated about without saying a word the whole time. He just enjoyed the peace of the afternoon - so much different than his big sister!

After many people telling me that they were sure Ana had grown during the two weeks of our vacation I decided to measure the kids. It turns out that in the past five months they have both grown two inches. No wonder all the shirts show midriff and the pants are becoming clam diggers! It is crazy how fast they change.

My First Post

Well...I caved in and started a blog!

For all of you who are far away and for those of you who are close - we invite you over to our house for coffee. We look forward to sharing these small bits of our lives with you.