We had a buttload of stuff to get accomplished this weekend. Jon was gone all week and frankly, I had a horrible and stressful week. Then Jon leaves tomorrow for a trip to Charlotte and then Calgary. Yes, Calgary CANADA. For a day. Only 5000 miles roundtrip! Then we leave Friday for a week's vacation to exotic Fargo.
After the week I had, I was insistent we also get some family time to do something fun. After getting our chores done on Saturday, we spent some time at the pool. Before we left, Nate told us he was going to jump off the diving board into the deep end. This is our fault because we told him he couldn't go off the diving board until he could swim. And after his fourth swim lesson, the kid can swim. It is CRAZY.
Jump he did, over and over and over. When the big kids lined up to go down the slide, Nate was right there in line with them. It was so cute to see the big kids helping spot Nate as he went down this slide:
Yes I am a brave mom to let my 3 year old go down an 8 foot slide by himself into almost 10 feet of water.
Of course, the problem is that either Jon or I had to be in the deep end to help Nate get out of the way for the next kid. It was actually a good workout to tread water for TWO HOURS while Nate jumped and slid.
I also got an unexpected workout when Alex decided to go down the slide too. He patiently waited in line, climbed to the top, then sat at the top bawling hysterically as he chickened out. He wouldn't come down so I had to climb to the top and carry him down while tons of kids stood in line waiting.
For a brief moment at the top, I considered giving Alex a big shove to make things easier for me but Alex is such a people pleaser. The reason he climbed up there in the first place was because Jon and I were encouraging Nate. So the best thing I could do is make it clear even if he doesn't do everything Nate does at the pool, we still love playing with him and are so proud of everything he has accomplished this summer so far.
After the week I had, I was insistent we also get some family time to do something fun. After getting our chores done on Saturday, we spent some time at the pool. Before we left, Nate told us he was going to jump off the diving board into the deep end. This is our fault because we told him he couldn't go off the diving board until he could swim. And after his fourth swim lesson, the kid can swim. It is CRAZY.
Jump he did, over and over and over. When the big kids lined up to go down the slide, Nate was right there in line with them. It was so cute to see the big kids helping spot Nate as he went down this slide:
Yes I am a brave mom to let my 3 year old go down an 8 foot slide by himself into almost 10 feet of water.
Of course, the problem is that either Jon or I had to be in the deep end to help Nate get out of the way for the next kid. It was actually a good workout to tread water for TWO HOURS while Nate jumped and slid.
I also got an unexpected workout when Alex decided to go down the slide too. He patiently waited in line, climbed to the top, then sat at the top bawling hysterically as he chickened out. He wouldn't come down so I had to climb to the top and carry him down while tons of kids stood in line waiting.
For a brief moment at the top, I considered giving Alex a big shove to make things easier for me but Alex is such a people pleaser. The reason he climbed up there in the first place was because Jon and I were encouraging Nate. So the best thing I could do is make it clear even if he doesn't do everything Nate does at the pool, we still love playing with him and are so proud of everything he has accomplished this summer so far.
10 comments:
Hurray for Nate! Learning how to swim is such a huge milestone, at least in my eyes. I think I'm going to need some of your poolside bravery when Nina learns how to swim. Her favorite thing to do in her kiddie pool is to climb onto my shoulders and jump off into the water while shouting "Wheeeee!"
10 feet of water? That is insanely brave! WOW! I can't say much more than that! This is such a huge accomplishment! I would have been freaking out watching all of that sliding taking place! No way. Seren is way too chicken for that sort of thing. (read: *I* am too chicken.) Good for you for explaining the idea behind different expectations for each of your sons.
Way to go Nate! And how cute that Alex wanted to try so badly. Nice job on the slide rescue, too. I wouldn't be surprised if Alex makes his way down that slide by the end of the summer!
The deep end at three. That's pretty impressive. For you letting him do it that is, I'm sure Nate thinks nothing of it! I love when the big kids help out.
Holy COW that's a big slide!! I'm not sure I would have been as willing to let go of my 3 year old :)
How cool is that though!
Think of what great shape you'll be in after a few more weekends of treading water. Good for Nate!
Well a diving board is how I got my kid to learn how to swim....works like a charm. As for Alex, give him time, he will catch up with swimming, catching up with Nate might be challenge though. Treading water is a very good workout!
How fun. I am excited for the day my pool exercise is as thrilling as that. Right now it consists of bobbing up and down while holding a baby who splashes away.
You betcha! That's my North Dakota talk - I love the way they talk - have a great time!
You may have discovered the strategy for what you have to do to get Nate to do things.
That is just AMAZING! Wow!!! Nathan cannot swim yet but he hasn't been in the pool since last summer. He starts classes at the Y this Thursday...I can't wait to see how he does! They are so amazing at 3!!
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