Days with the Dorans

Last weekend, Z went to a friend's birthday party at Goldfish.  Goldfish is a place that teaches kiddos how to swim.  I had heard wonderful things about them but that they were a bit pricey.  That being said, I've gone the cheaper route and wasn't too impressed.  With my folks living on the lake, we want our kids to swim (and swim well) so we took the plunge! I registered the three Bigs and then after talking with my mom thought, well... we might as well get Seany started too.  Today we loaded up the four kids and were off.  I had Jeff take Sean in the pool because he tends to be a mama's boy and I didn't want him to freak out leaving me.  I was able to watch from behind the glass wall (where it was cooler) while Jeff stayed nearby on a bench to watch Seany.  When Sean first got started, Jeff gave me the thumbs down sign (like this is never going to work), but in no time Sean was working with his teacher like a charm.  He was kicki...

We have again put the bigs in swim lessons. They're doing much better than last summer and although they aren't jumping into a pool like they do the lake, they are getting more brave. Living on a lake all summer, I know how important it is that they learn how to swim. We've chosen at this time however, NOT to put Zach in swim lessons. Of course they do offer classes for children Zach's age, even Sean's age actually, but we've chosen to wait until they're a little older. I did ask Zach if he wanted to come with us this morning to watch his sibs swim. He was in a great mood and although I could have let him stay home with his dad and Sean, I chose to bring him anyway... and my camera. I don't know when Zach will get potty trained, but I don't see it happening any time soon. He has NO interest and I've accepted the fact that come this spring, I'll probably still have two sizes of diapers in our house. Although I know this to be t...

This has been a crazy summer with everything going on with my Nan, but we did manage to get the Bigs signed up for swim lessons. While they spend a lot of time at the lake- it usually consists of them getting on their water wings- or life jacket and jumping off the dock- playing in the sand... etc. And with water being around every summer it is VERY important that they learn to really swim . A.J. was not too happy that first day- and wasn't going to go in the pool at all- until I told Joe how proud I was that he was doing what his teacher said and perhaps we'd go to the dollar store after the lesson. (She's so easy...) We did make it through the week and I was really proud of them- They tried their best and by the last day Ali Jane FINALLY jumped in the pool- (though her teacher caught her and her hair didn't even really get wet... This from a girl who jumps off the dock regularly by herself...) They were proud of their accomplishments and even got a certific...