Swimming

 Swim lessons started today! The kids have been so excited to finally learn. Claire did a great job without me in the pool, although any chance she got she was holding an instructors hand! She was worried about putting her face in the water to blow bubbles, but she eventually tried and was very proud of herself for doing it!

 
I was most concerned about William, he has always been the most nervous in water. But he promised he would try if I signed him up and this morning the instructor said that the kids weren't allowed to say "I can't." He was always the last to try each new thing in his group, but he tried everything but two of them. He said tomorrow he would try everything. I was especially thrilled to see that he was able to leave the wall and not be wrapped around his instructor. He said afterwards that he was very nervous, but he'll feel better tomorrow.

Ruthie loves the water and is very comfortable trying everything. She is a little advanced for the beginning class but her instructor is doing a great job making modifications to challenge her and help her improve on the basics!

Claire turns 4!

 Claire got a kitchen from Grandma Paula and Werther's! After opening her present in the morning she and I went shopping for her birthday treats. We got square pizzas and lots of berries to make cookie pizzas for dessert.

 After lunch her friend Camille came to play and she brought Claire a cute new church dress and a book! She was really happy to have a friend come play, usually play dates end up being for the older kids. It was a simple day, but she got to do exactly what she wanted all day long.