Swimming Star

Alex took swimming lessons back at the end of May. He did a great job, despite the fact that he was still recovering from an ear infection and had to get stitches the day before lessons started.
His teacher was Myrna Shaneyfelt of the Aquatic Wellness Center. She is just amazing and has the kids swimming underwater by day two.

Because we signed up for her first session of the summer, there was only one other child in his class. So, we had practically private lessons at a group rate. The other little boy in the class was only 4 months older than Alex, and he was just as excited about swimming. They got along really well and enjoyed their lessons together. They were both really excited to jump into the pool off of the diving board after watching the older kids do it. On session five, they got their wish.

Here Alex is going off of the diving board on the fifth day of class.

I had to nudge him a little bit so he would clear the edge of the diving board, but he did most of the work himself.






Myrna teaches them to jump in the water and then immediately roll onto their backs when they come up for air.

Then they have to float to the wall and she counts to five...
...and they roll over and grab the wall to pull themselves up.
Alex really hated floating on his back until I bought him the goggles, and then he finally learned to relax. The idea of rolling on the back is so that if he fell into water when no one was looking he would have a chance to save himself.

After eight sessions he graduated and became one of Myrna's Swimming Stars.

Myrna makes each of the kids a necklace with a ribbon and star on it.
Alex loves "twinkle stars" and was thrilled to get one (despite the look on his face). ;)
Class photo (L to R): Robyn, Alex, Myrna, Isaiah, Grandpa (I never actually learned his name, but he was the other little boy's grandpa).

Blessing the Sawdust

So, we went on a hike/nature walk in Jacksonville on Memorial Day. This was Alex and Dominic's first "real" hike, meaning they were not strapped in backpacks or slings, and actually got to hike (AKA: run/walk/meander/climb things). It was a real adventure for them.
They loved exploring every hole and bug and tree and rock we came across.

This is a Giraffe-tree we found in the woods.

At one point in our venture, Alex ran ahead of us and we came upon him sitting behind a stump praying (for his invisible food). He was so cute, and he knew it, that he "prayed" a few times for us, but the last act involved "eating" his food when finished praying. Molly caught his grand finale on video. Enjoy!



Yes, he got a little carried away and actually licked up the pile of sawdust on the top of the stump. I am hoping that one day Alex will grow out of his need to taste everything he comes across, but at least for now it provides for cheap entertainment. :)