Tiny Tunas

(Yep. Still need to finish posting the Iowa/Ohio trip photos. I was hoping to continue to use my phone for updating the blog, but Reid got sick the last few days of our trip. The drive from Iowa to Colorado on the last day of our trip was not an easy one. I'm thankful my mom had flown out to Ohio to join me when Eric had to return to work. She did the majority of the driving which made it so much easier for me to take care of Reid.)

We signed the the boys up for swim lessons at the Rec Center for the first time and today was the first day. They are in the Level 1, Tina Tunas class. I loved taking swim lessons growing up, so I was hoping the boys would enjoy it too. Luckily, it went very well!

We arrived way too early because I wasn't sure how long it would take us to get ready and whether either one of them would need to go potty. (One week into potty training and the boys have made huge strides!) (The first five pictures were edited on my phone using the Pic-Tap-Go! app, which I like to use when pictures are too dark. I used the first option, "Lights On''.)

Waiting...

Finally! There were two other little boys in their class. Another boy arrived half-way through because he had been signed up for the wrong level. He was too timid to ever get in the water so we'll see how tomorrow goes. Their teacher, Miss Tori, was great! First she had them sit down on the wall. It was only about two feet deep in this part of the pool:

Then they got into the pool:

Reid is actually pretty fearful in precarious situations, so he turned around to enter the water:

They practiced putting their faces in the water:

Then she had them dunk a little bit under water while holding their breath. Aiden:

Reid:

Then they played a game where they each picked a color ring and then then she "hid" them out in the water and they had to go find them. She was good about having them touch the wall when she wanted them to stay put or listen to directions:

Then they went out by the slide and she sang "Rain, rain, go away..." while she poured water on their heads with a little watering bucket. That's similar to what we use when we shampoo hair, so our guys weren't too phased by that:

Back to touching the wall to hear about a game where they "talked" to sharks:

They had to blow bubbles in the pool to be able to talk with the shark. If they did it correctly, then the shark was moved a little bit closer. The goal was to get the shark to swim all the way over to them:

Back to the rings; this time they were steering wheels:

Then they blew bubbles in the water to make the sound of race cars:

Towards the end, the were able to ride on a big kick board and practice kicking. They both had the biggest smiles on their faces during this part. Unfortunately, I failed to get pictures of the smiles, but hopefully they'll get to do this again. Aiden on the right with another little boy:

Reid on the right with another boy. Aiden came back to the wall and started practicing his kicking:

Finally, their big treat was getting to go down the little slide. (Don't be deceived by the sight of the big slide in the background.) Aiden at the top:

Aiden at the bottom:

Reid at the top:

Reid at the bottom:

They played the race car game in the lobby on the way out. Luckily, they still don't realize we're supposed to pay to play the real version of these games:

The boys enjoyed watching Eric's videos of the lessons during lunch. See the end of the post for the videos.

I was so excited to sign the boys up for lessons because it felt like one of the first little kid (versus toddler) activities we've been able to sign up for. I really wanted to do "Mommy and Me"-type swimming lessons when they were babies, but  most days we were lucky to make it through the day without any add-ons.

Finding their color rings:

Talking to their sharks:

Kick board time:

I can't wait to see what they learn tomorrow!

Grandma Starrs' Blueberry Muffins

Grandma Starrs' Blueberry Muffins
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup drained blueberries

Sift the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
Combine the egg, oil, and milk, and add to the dry ingredients.
Stir just until the ingredients are blended.
Fold in blueberries.
Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full.
Back at 375 degrees for about 16-17 minutes.
Makes 12 muffins.

Optional topping:
1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon on top.

To reheat:
One at a time; 25 seconds in the microwave. Good with rhubarb-cherry jam.

(So thankful that these turned out EXACTLY how I remember them. Thought the saying at the top of the recipe card was funny: "Kissin' wears out; cookin' don't.")

Summer 2013 Road Trip | Entry 6

Day 4:

Ohio, Wednesday

Enjoyed playing in Grandpa's big backyard. It was plenty humid for this dry climate girl:

Reid working on his slide:

Cooling off inside:

Split rail fences were made for climbing:

Visiting Grandma at her care facility:

The boys enjoyed seeing pictures of themselves in her room:

Touring around:

There was a couple performing songs in one of the gathering areas:

The boys enjoyed listening for a bit:

Following the blue tiles in the hallway while Eric and Marlowe visited with Jean:

Reid has enjoyed playing some very loud organ concerts for us, including singing "A, B, C" or "Twinkle" at the top of his lungs.

Some times Aiden joins him at the bench. This time we were both wondering when our ears were going to get some relief:

A common sight; Aiden's cars all lined up:

Nap time in another "big" bed:

Evening play:

With Cousin Jordan too!

Humidity is my cryptonite, so I lounged in the grass:

More fence-climbing:

Posing with Cousin Jordan before bedtime: