little swimmer

On Monday Camille started swimming lessons. She was afraid of putting her face in the water. She's had four lessons now. Twice we've "practiced" in our neighborhood pool in the afternoon.

And this is how much she's progressed...



I must say that I am shocked at how far she's come! She obviously still has a long way to go before she's an official swimmer, but she's doing great. I can't wait to see even how much more she learns by the end of summer.

overcoming stage fright

Over the summer the kids who attended VBS at our church put on a music program at the end of the week. Camille, even though she loved singing the songs, completely refused to join the other kids in singing for the congregation. Her first experience of true stage fright, I think.

Needless to say, when I heard that the kids from the Wednesday night classes were going to be singing in church I set my expectations very low. I gave her about a 5-10% chance of making it to the front.

But much to our surprise, Aaron and I beamed with pride as we watched her march up there with her classmates and stand front and center!

Yes, I fought back tears the entire time.

jail

This was the conversation between Isabel and Camille in the car this afternoon as we were driving next to a police car:

Isabel: Look! There's a police car! We have to be good or we will go to jail.
Camille: Jail? What's jail?
Isabel: Well, it's...it's just...you see...I think it's...you just...(long pause)... You just don't ever come back from jail.
Camille: What?! Are we going to jail now?
Isabel: Yep, we're goin' to jail.
Camille: No we're not, silly. We're goin' to your house!
Isabel: No Camille, you're wrong.
Camille: Mommy, are we going to jail? Because Isabel says we're goin' to jail.

Needless to say, we did not go to jail.

But it sure was interesting to hear three-year-olds talk about it.

little gymnast

Camille has been taking preschool gymnastics classes at IGM since April, when Auntie Megan signed her up. She loves going every week, loves her coaches, and loves having a designated time for running, jumping, swinging, and having fun.

So, for Megan, who is back in Mexico and unable to watch Camille at class, I wanted to upload a few short videos.



At the beginning of class they do "warm-ups" and then for most of the time they basically do obstacle course circuts. One for balance beam (as shown above), one for bars, and one for tumbling type things (as shown below). The kids just love it, and are happy that they get to do things by themselves without any help.



Levi usually comes with us when Camille has class. There is a toy area that usually keeps him busy, though on several occasions I've had to retrieve him from near the balance beam if I've been distracted and not kept a good eye on him. Today he discovered that he could see over the half-wall if he stood on the Duplo table. Yep, he's a climber. But more on that later!



On Friday mornings the gym has open gym time for the little kids. We try to go at least once a month, and Levi really enjoys being able to roam around without getting into trouble.

Thursday is Camille's last class. Not sure if we will find a gym after we move, or if she will try out something new. I think we'll have to let her decide!

beach girls

Perfect weather days have been few and far between this summer, what with the heat, rain, and humidity.

But today's weather was perfect.

Aaron had the day off so we wanted to do something special with all the kids. We decided to venture back to a favorite local beach. The first time we were there was almost exactly two years ago. Camille and Isabel were practically just babies back then, but had still enjoyed playing in the sand and water. This time was no different. We stayed for only about an hour and a half, but they were in the water nearly the entire time.

The boys were beach bums and stayed on the blanket with a few toys and mostly just watched the action going on around them. Neither of them is fond of sand, so it was easy to keep them contained in the shade. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be nice out as well, so I'm hoping we can find something else to do outside!

in which camille washes the soap

Alternately Titled: in which the rest of us get a few minutes of peace and quiet
Alternately Titled: Where'd all the soap go?

Camille has been really, well, let's just say active lately. More wiggly and talkative and mischievous than usual if you can even imagine.

So when we were eating dinner last night and she asked if she could go to the bathroom, we were more than happy to let her leave for a few minutes. Before she left we reminded her to wash her hands when she was done.

Several minutes later we realized we'd heard the bathroom faucet turn on and off quite a few times. She'd adjust the water flow, she'd run it full blast, she'd turn it off. Eventually I went to check on her. I peeked from afar and saw her happily sudsing up her toothbrush. When I returned with the camera I recorded while she "washed the soap" (as she later explained to us).

So here, for you viewing pleasure, is video of Camille washing the soap...

letting you in on a secret

Last week it rained.

And rained. And rained.

And it was cold.

It was also my first week watching Isabel, as well as Josiah, three days a week.

Needless to say, we were all going a little bit crazy by day three (or was it day one?). We were getting on each other's nerves. They were tired of playing with the same toys. I was tired of cleaning the kitchen.

Being stuck in the house with four kids ages three and under wasn't fun.

This week? Well, let's just say things are looking brighter. And warmer.

Ahh, picnics.

Did you know that a picnic is a mommy's secret weapon?

The kids think they are getting a very special treat when you tell them they can have a picnic. But it's actually the mommy that benefits.

Real dishes? Nah, let's use paper plates today.
Crumbs? The birds love to eat those. Just leave 'em!
Napkin? I think your shirt will do just fine.
Leftovers? Here comes Levi!

Yes, I do believe we will be having quite a few picnics this summer.

I wonder if they will think picnics are such a special treat if we do them every day. Actually, though, I don't think the answer really matters!

isabel and camille

See these babies? Aren't they cute?

As babies, Isabel and Camille really liked each other. They happily sat next together and shared a basket of toys, quietly taking turns chewing on one item or another.

Then there was a (long) period of time when they pretty much couldn't stand to be in the same room as each other. Looking back, I think it all started when Camille learned to walk. She quickly learned how to run off with toys Isabel wanted, and you can imagine how that made Isabel feel.

Whatever it was that caused it, it was a pretty unhappy (and long) period of time.

But I think it's safe to say that they've come full circle.

For the most part, these sweet three-year-olds finally enjoy playing together again. Together they dream up doctor's office scenes, play dress-up, and push baby dolls around in strollers. Sure, they still have typical three-year-old skirmishes. But Isabel and Camille are true friends now, and will be for quite a long time.

sunday school

Last weekend was Camille's last day of Sunday School. The "Parents & 2's" class has had so much fun getting to know each other since January, and I'm sad that we won't be around next year (or for several years) to see this great group of kids grow up together. 

They ended the year with a party, and each child was allowed to bring one toy to share with the class. It seems every week one kid or another was telling teacher Steph about something at home, and she wanted them to have a chance to share.

After sharing time and a little playtime, Steph brought out cupcakes for the kids to have as a special treat. It was so cute watching the kids as she set down the tray of cupcakes! They were literally drooling in anticipation!

After all the cupcakes were handed out, everyone prayed together, and then the crazy cupcake-eating commenced.

Thanks, Steph, for being an amazing first Sunday School teacher for these kids! Your patience with them and caring for them was right from your heart, and you have been a true blessing to all of us. And thanks, Anna, for sharing your mom with us. Camille is blessed to have you for a friend!

fashionable

Some days Camille sleeps during nap time.

Some days she doesn't.

It usually doesn't matter to me if she sleeps or not, as long as she stays quiet in her room. I prefer that she lays on her bed, but sometimes she gets up after a while.

Occasionally I'll hear her quietly playing at her Duplo table.

And occasionally I'll hear her closet door opening and closing. And that's when I know I'm in for a surprise when I go in to tell her that nap time is over.

I never know what she'll be wearing.

The other day she went to her room for her nap wearing a dress and leggings. She came out wearing this:

A clean pajama top and a pair of Levi's jean shorts.

Yes, she most certainly has her own sense of fashion.

sunshine

The calendar tells us it's Spring, but the weather lately has been cold and wet.

This week we finally got a couple of nice days, and the kids were literally basking in the sunshine!

After being cooped up in the house for nearly seven months, Camille is constantly asking if we can go outside.  Yesterday we brought her princess tent out and she and Levi played in it for an hour. They were roughhousing a bit too much for Josiah's liking, but he was content to play on the blanket with leaves!

because they grow so fast

my kids have fun together

They also have fun with their Auntie Megan who, for the record, was the one who came up with the ingenious scarf-seatbelt contraption. She's also the one who let my son eat chalk.

Don't worry, he survived both.

upside down