Swimming lessons

When Jackson was a baby we did mommy & me swimming classes, we did three sessions. In the last one he got an ear infection, and after that I was reluctant to put him in any lessons. When kids turn 3 they can go into lessons without mommy. I waited until he turned 4, and then spring, to sign him up. He had 4 private lessons, to help get used to the water, and he really liked it and wanted to do more. It is really hard to get into classes here, you have to be online when registration opens in order to get the convenient times. I managed to get him in two 5 day sessions for the first level, one in July and one in August, I assumed he wouldn't pass since he is quite nervous and tries to pull his head out of the water when he's supposed to be floating. The classes were Monday to Friday at 5:30, so evenings were very rushed! He managed to pass the Sea Otter level, I was told because it is assisted floats. I think perhaps everyone passes unless they refuse to get in the water or something. It was nice to have all 5 classes in a row though, I think he learned well.

Of course it meant I had to change his second set of lessons to the Salamander level. Which moved it to 4:45!!  Crazy evenings, by the time we got home for dinner we were both starving and I still had to cook, so we got some fast food this week. And of course he had a few melt downs at the end of the classes.  Sadly he did not pass, so will be repeating in the fall. I have him signed up for the regular class, which is 9 weeks, one hour, again at 4:45, and 6 kids instead of 3. I hope he manages to pass! If not there is a 5 week session right after that he can do. I am hoping he passes and will be a Sun Fish for that session though. It will be tough with school but I think we can do it.

All this mad rush for swimming lessons is in part due to our big travel plans for my big 40th. I think with the Disney stay and the cruise, we will be swimming a lot! At least I hope so. At least he is a lot more comfortable in the water, and willing to jump in, with puddle jumper. We had a day at the beach and two chances to swim at the hotel pool in Toronto, he loved it. Once he got into letting go he was a champ, jumping in, trying to doggy paddle, and just move around. It was great, and I think it will mean a good vacation. Give him another year and we'll be snorkeling I'm sure!

One thing that would be nice, would be having a man to help him get changed and all of that. They do have family change rooms but they are super busy. He has to come into the ladies room with me, which he doesn't like. Someday he'll be old enough to handle it on his own, someday!

With his crazy antics after the lessons I've tried everything, threats, rewards, and then today on Facebook I saw an article linked from the Aha parenting ladies page. It talked about 4 ways to help kids with this type of thing, well other things too but this was one that I found helpful. So we now have a squeeze move.  When he's mad at me and wants to hit he now squeezes my arm instead, it doesn't hurt me but lets him get his aggression out. It worked well tonight, along with flipping him upside down, which sounds silly but was helpful, it just changed his perspective a bit, and made him want me to do that over and over again, so it was "after we get you to the change room, after you get dried off, after we get outside".  It helped. Making sure he has enough to eat as well, though I think a bigger snack is needed, just don't want him too full before we go.

He has been enjoying the swimming so much he wants to have a swimming party for his birthday. They have a package where the kids get to swim for an hour, 8 kids with 4 life guards, parents do not have to go swimming! Then an hour in a party room for the cake etc. My only concern is getting 8 kids changed after swimming, and getting my kid to leave the pool!  It sounds like fun any way. I'm just not sure if I want to do it, or stick with a Gym Tale like last year, that was a really good party and went well. And is about $30 cheaper.

Ah vacation

We are enjoying the last day at my parent's place today. We'll head home shortly after lunch, it's about a 3 hour drive and I just want to go home. It's been nice. We have done a few exciting things. We went to the beach one day and Jackson actually tried swimming, with his puddle jumper on, he did the doggy paddle and had a lot of fun. It started to rain so we didn't get much time to play in the sand, though he did roll down the dunes into the water, and generally have a lot of fun. The water got cold for him though and he was shivering by the end.

This trip has been a lot better in terms of his temper. He hasn't had as many blow ups, though yesterday was a little trying. He was very tired after our big city adventure. On Wednesday we took the train from Belleville into Toronto. Jackson was very excited to ride the train and watch out the window. Though he got a little bored by the end of the trip. Once in Toronto we walked to our hotel and were able to check in early. Jackson was pretty excited by the pretty hotel room and the comfy beds with so many pillows! We had views of the CN Tower, the lake and could watch the trains go by. He loved to watch the Go Trains.

After checking in we went off to Ripley's Aquarium. It was crazy busy, I had bought tickets so we were able to go in the shorter line but it was still very busy. Especially at the beginning where it was almost impossible to see the fish. I don't think either of us was all that impressed. We did enjoy the moving sidewalk through the shark exhibit, though Jackson didn't want to do it and was quite mad I made him. Not that there was much choice, it was kind of a one way trip around. I think we spent maybe an hour and a half there, got a stuffie shark, and then left to find some lunch. We ate in a little pub place. Then back to the hotel and to wander around the harbour front for awhile. It was really nice weather, we watched some boats and walked around a bit. I found a Timmies across from the hotel too.

Jackson was most excited to swim, so we went to the hotel pool. He had a lot of fun, jumping in, splashing around and doing the doggy paddle. Of course he didn't want to leave when it was time to go, but I took his puddle jumper off him. He didn't believe it would matter and jumped in. I went in after him but did let him have a moment of trying to get himself out of the water and actually swim. He wasn't in danger of course, just had a little scare, which didn't really scare him since we also went swimming the next morning before checking out and he was jumping in a lot.

It was our first trip together, with an overnight stay. He was a little homesick at bedtime, even though I was right there. I think it was good practice for our trip to Florida in January though. I know we will need to take a few toys for him to play with, as well as some kind of bath toy or he won't take a bath. I think we both enjoyed the change and it was fun.

Today we get to go back home, phew. It is nice to visit but I like to get home to the kitties and just be home in my own bed and everything. We'll leave after lunch I think, should be home before dinner. I will need to get some groceries at some point this evening, for dinner and the weekend and everything else. Back to it Monday, just two more days to relax.

Elsa and the cats

Elsa is doing well. She is getting along with the boys, but she is definitly rowdy. I have to confine her at night or I wouldn't get any sleep. Hopefully that's only for another week or so. Jackson is still in love with her, she is very playful and they have a lot of fun playing together. She did ok while we were gone for a week, my sister came to check on the cats all week. Apparently she was quite lonely, but I'm not so sure. She was happy to see us of course but she was very playful with the boys too. She annoys them sometimes but they do play back, and she still cuddles with them both as well.

Sleeping with Joshua

Sleeping with Snickers

We had a nice time at my parent's but heard a lot of "you're so mean!" and "you aren't my friend any more!". He was quite defiant whenever anyone told him to do something he didn't want to, or not do something he wanted to do. Like climbing all over my parent's furniture. He ate pretty well, we had ice cream a few times. Went to the beach once, went into town twice to do some shopping. Celebrated Canada Day by watching the parade then going to the park for the festivities. We stopped for ice cream cones on the way back then my dad took him to the dock to look at the boats and I got to go home. They also went fishing one afternoon, caught a bunch and threw them all back of course.

So far summer has been nice. Only really two weeks done I guess. Still 6 or 7 to go. We have another week scheduled for my parents. But I think we'll only go down for 5 days this time, I would love to do some stuff around here too. We have passes for the dinosaur museum to use, and we could go to a petting zoo or two. Lots of parks of course. We went to the park today and Jackson made a friend with a little 6-year-old boy who was there with his grandmother. They had a lot of fun playing for an hour or more. The grandmother was very nice, we chatted for the whole time. She told me about how when her son was little she contacted the local high school for a volunteer tutor and how the two bonded. It was an interesting idea. I would like to find some babysitters for him, she suggested I contact the high school as they may have some ideas. I'll have to investigate in the fall when school starts up again.

Daycare in the summer is more fun. They have activities for many days, and lots of fun stuff. Last week they went on the bus to a park. It was apparently a lot of fun, Jackson enjoyed it a lot. He and a few other boys went into the men's room where Jackson discovered urinals for the first time. The teacher said she went in to get the boys as they were taking a long time, and found Jackson sitting in one.  Between thinking "gross" and laughing, it was pretty funny. I have told my dad he has to take Jackson into a men's room next time we go down so he can figure it out.

Work is work. My boss has moved to a new position, we're now reporting directly to his boss until she can find someone to replace him. Kind of annoying, but understandable. Hopefully it's not too long before there is someone else. And at least I still have a good job. I can always try to find a new position if I want to, once things get settled.

Still planning our cruise and trip, I can't wait! We'll get our passport process started next week. I need to get our photos done then make sure my friend has hers so she can be our guarantor. I'm waiting for Disney to post pricing for January as well. We plan to stay on site for two nights, get in Friday, go to downtown disney for dinner and some shopping, then Saturday go to Animal Kingdom for the day. Sunday we get on the boat. I'm so excited I am planning more trips. But of course more trips means no baby number 2, which I think I am over but not 100% sure of. We'll see what happens I guess.

A mistake?

We've had a bit of a rough weekend. Someone got up around 5:30 both mornings, much to mama's annoyance. Which led to a cranky mommy and a tired boy by the end of the day. Yesterday we went to look at a kitten. And then we brought her home. Which I'm not sure was a good idea now. Of course Jackson is quite smitten with her, and she is adorable, but I think she's just so young! There is no way she is already 8 weeks. And I'd have preferred her to be closer to 12. Why did I do it? No idea really. My two cats are not impressed, and the dog is obsessed. Little Elsa is currently spending all her time in the guest room, with the usual supplies of course, and many visits from both of us. But she is a very social little thing, wants to cuddle and follow us around. I hope it works out, but I am worried she'll have to go. And I'm not sure how to do that, whether to see if the rescue will take her back, find her a new home or what.

Jackson had a sore throat and runny nose yesterday, so we didn't spend much time outside. Today we were out in the back for a little while but not long, no trips to the park. He played with his toys, and didn't eat a whole lot. He did have a lot of freezies, Popsicle and ice cream. I hope he is feeling better tomorrow. Though I wouldn't mind missing a day or two of work. I think we would drive each other crazy being home again. And if he is well enough to want to be a the park, then he is well enough for daycare and school.

Work is a bit frustrating, my boss announced he is looking for a change. So we'll be getting a new manager. I have never had a manager move on before, usually I move before they do or the teams are shuffled somehow. But in this case he is looking to move and we are just going to deal with it. I like the man, he is great, though he is very disorganized, and seems constantly overwhelmed with his job. I think he's been doing this particular job for too long. Of course I am worried about who will replace him, always a risk.  I much prefer to choose the job and my manager than have it forced upon me. The work itself isn't bad, just need some direction, half the time I feel like I'm heading in the wrong direction. I feel like that in my whole life sometimes. But then I remember my little boy, and I know it will be ok in the end. 

Play Time and Being Active

I was feeling bad that Jackson doesn't really have anyone but me to play with, and I'm not that much fun all the time. I mean sometimes I have to do things like the laundry, dishes, cooking. And sometimes, I admit, I'd rather just sit here and veg out. I signed him up for t-ball so he could get some activity, also swimming lessons for a few weeks. And today I bought him this thing for the backyard.

I put the darn thing together myself, it actually wasn't too hard, and he loves it. So we are happy. And the boy will be able to play out in the backyard with that and the sandbox. I hope to get a small pool for the summer but no real rush as the weather has not been at all hot enough. You can see the garden in the back which also needs to be planted still.  We'll work on that and the flower pots in the front this weekend. I am not sure if the play structure will last more than a year or two, but based on the ads I've seen I should be able to sell it for close to what I paid for it, which is awesome.

I am trying to be more active, with getting up to exercise, and just getting out for walks and such on the weekend. But I admit, I have a long way to go! And the boy is much more active than I am. He has so much energy. I am sure he will enjoy the climber all summer long. I need to get it put in a nice spot but it's easy enough to move around when I need to mow the lawn.

I have to say, getting this thing home and put together was one of those times I thought it would be nice to have a man around. But then I did it all myself, and am high fiving myself because I rock. I did it myself, it's all me! And I did it, I can do it, I can do all kinds of things, on my own.

Another Long Weekend

The weather is still a bit chilly, but seems to be warming up finally. We spent the long weekend down visiting my parents. It was nice, short and sweet. I hate the driving but we only do it a few times a year so it's worth it. Jackson loves his grandparents, and we have a good time. Jackson loves to play outside there, and enjoys going on walks with my dad. He gets a bit spoiled, always getting some kind of new toy. And of course enjoys the treats and things. I enjoy being able to sleep in, he goes to get my parents up. Though of course I hear him and don't really sleep after that but lazing in bed is fun too. He was pretty tired today, but didn't fall asleep in the car until we were almost home. He did fall asleep well tonight which is great, I hope I can as well, I may have a hard time falling asleep.

I have not lost any more weight, and am getting frustrated at the lack of progress. I will keep at the exercise, I actually am enjoying it. Tomorrow I will hopefully get up early enough to do a good workout. I also have my meals planned, so I hope I can stick to it and do well! I want to feel better and be able to keep up with the kiddo, especially with a cruise in the winter. I want to be able to wear a bathing suit and not feel like a sausage ;-)

I want to get Jackson some kind of slide play structure for the backyard. One is going on sale Friday that looks nice, and at $100 off I can pretty much afford. Hopefully I'll be able to fit it in my car, get it home, and put it together. I think it will make the summer better. A small pool will also be put back there. And that should be that.

The front yard will be getting some pots of flowers, we have the pots, I'll get the soil this week and then Saturday we'll get some flower to fill them up with. Jackson loves to pick out flowers. I will have to keep a tight reign on him, he tends to pick up and grab a lot of stuff. I am not going to spend a fortune on this! It's a few pots, some nice annuals, that's it. In purple I'm sure, that is his favourite colour after all!

I am once again in "I want a baby" feelings. I can't seem to shake the feelings, even though we can't afford it really, and I can't do anything about it. All in all it is frustrating. I wish I could just drop it and let it go. But I can't! I think about it most days, not all, I try not to think about it at all but I can't help it. I wish I could win the lottery, not a big one, just like $50k or something. More would be better of course but that would do wonderfully!  The only tickets I buy though are with work. So it will never really happen. Ah well, I'll continue to dream of it.

T-ball is going well, we've had one week so far. It was a lot of fun,chaotic and hilarious to watch. The kids do not have a clue what's going on and are out in the field daydreaming. They hit the ball and don't know what to do next. We practiced at my parents a bit but he'll still forget I think. I have to bring the snack, so bearpaws it is! I am not a baker or homemade snack maker. Bearpaws and apple juice, voila! Snack time.

Time Flies

Jackson and I have been doing well. I've managed to lose about 20 pounds since mid-January, turned 39, had a minor freak out over the fact I'll be turning 40 in a year. Hated how long winter lasted, and how cold spring has been so far! Started working out, at like 5 am! Which is actually fun and I look forward to. May is going to be a busy month for us, Jackson starts T-ball Tuesday, which will be very odd for us, we normally get home and that's it. Now we'll be rushing through dinner and then off to T-ball. He starts swimming lessons at the end of the month. I had to put him in private lessons as I forgot the day sign up opened so only private lessons were left, which will probably be better in the end run any way!  It's only 4 lessons but I hope it will be a good start for him, and I don't have to get into the pool :-)

I have booked us on a Disney Cruise! We will be going in February next year, and I will be turning 40 on a beach. I also plan to take us to Florida a couple days early and stay at Walt Disney World. We will probably go to Animal Kingdom for a day, it seems like a good start. I am thoroughly excited about the cruise. I went on one with my parents when I was 16, but this will be the first travel on my own. It is very exciting, and I hope it will be a new tradition for us. Though I may choose a different cruise line another time, especially given how much more Disney is, but I thought for the first one at least we'd choose something extra kid friendly.

Which may have some of you guessing I probably won't be attempting to go for 2 just yet. I want to, but I keep thinking it might not be a good idea. So I waiver on it, constantly. I am choosing to focus now on my health and weight. Perhaps as I go through that journey I will come to a final decision and move forward with it.

Jackson is still in school. I believe he's doing well but don't get a lot of feedback. I know he is making a lot of friends as he is getting invited to a lot of birthday parties. I have gotten a couple phone calls, he apparently has a bit of a temper, but he is also quite sensitive. He takes it very hard when he gets in trouble. And wow can he make up good excuses and stories. He has quite an imagination, which is awesome.

Spring is here, but was a slow start, and it's still so cold! Tomorrow is may and it was single digits today. Crazy. I hope summer arrives some day. We have gone to the park a couple times, and out for walks. I am waiting for it to be a little less muddy before we head to the nature trails. We have a new big sandbox which is a big hit. I wish we could get a play structure but we rent and I don't want to put something that costs so much. So we'll stick with the sandbox, and the scooter and bike for getting out. Of course the park too. Since I am already in better shape than last summer, walking to the park is not as hard as it once was. And Jackson is old enough to play on everything on his own now.

Summer will be pretty quiet, since I need to save some vacation days for the cruise, and money for that as well, we'll be taking a couple short weeks. Hopefully we'll go down to visit my parents. Though I do also plan on keeping a couple days for myself and sending Jackson to daycare. Mama does need a break on occasion.