one little girl

Okay, so no. I don't have birthday party pictures yet. But, yes, I do have an excuse! In fact, I have several. Come on, you knew I would!! 

1. I have been busy.

2. When I haven't been busy, we've been gone to the lake.

3. The pictures aren't on my camera. My sister took them with hers.

4. She has been even more busy than I could ever imagine being and can't make me a cd.

5. I have no intentions of bugging her about it!! If she ever finds a moment to slow down, I want her to use it for herself!!!

Let's move on to things I do have.

1. two little girls in swimming lessons.

2. one little girl who has no fear of the water at all and will jump in without warning.

3. one little girl who is terrified of it and trying to get her into the pool is like trying to give a cat a bath.

4. one little girl who charms the lifeguards and other parents with her fun-loving personality.

5. one little girl who traumatizes the other childern with her screaming and makes the lifeguards wish they had called in sick.

6. one upset stomach at the thought of  six more days left of swimming lessons.

At the very last second on Friday, I sent the nanny a message and told her that the girls would start swimming lessons on Monday and that she should meet us at the pool every morning the next week. Her response? "Sure! No problem." Then I sent another message informing her that she would have to get into the water with Avie because of the pool's age requirements. Her response? "Um, are you serious? Okay...I guess." 

We spent that weekend at the lake. Because Anna Sue's birthdate is June 27, we decided to stay through Monday and skip the first lesson. Mr. Wonderful even surprised me and took off work so he could spend the day with us.

So Tuesday morning before the lesson, I had to run by the rec and give them our signed forms before we went to the pool. We were running very late because Addie cried and refused to put on her swimsuit before we left. She also cried and refused to let me fix her hair. Then she told me the whole way there that she didn't want to go to the pool. We were so late, that the nanny came looking for us. I ran out of the rec and she was sitting there in the parking lot. Poor girl. I quickly told her about the sweet older man who came in and asked about line dancing lessons for his wife...he wanted a LOT of information. (It was really sweet though!) and then we ran over to the pool. Thankfully, they were running behind, also, and hadn't started Avie's class. The nanny got in the pool with her and Avie was great. She loved it. She splashed like crazy...which the nanny loved by the way...dipped her face under water, and jumped off the side without a thought. Addie's class didn't start until a few minutes after Avie's, so she sat with me and watched. She commented on everything Avie and nanny did. She was loving it. No problem. Then her class started. She hopped right out of my lap and walked over with the others. No problem. They all sat down lined up on the side of the pool and stuck their legs in the water. No problem. Then the lifeguards put them in the water one at a time and asked them to hold a noodle and kick. No problem. It was Addie's turn. Problem!!! Addie began to scream and kick and claw. It was so terrible to watch. She finally calmed down and did a little better by the end of the class.

This morning when we were getting ready, Addie told me she didn't want to go to the pool. She said she was scared. When we got there, I had to walk her over to her class. I asked the lifeguards their names...Kyle, Andrew, & Megan...bless them! I told her that they were her friends and that they were going to take care of her. Kyle was the lucky one who I threw her to in the pool (I'm not cruel, I just knew if I put her on the ground she would walk away..if she's already in the water then she's more likely to stay) He was very sweet to her and she ended up doing better...not great, but better. When I get home tonight, I will talk to her again about her new friends Kyle, Andrew, and Megan and how much fun she had with them in the pool. It just takes more for her to trust someone. She isn't really that afraid of the water. She plays in the lake really well. I mean, she doesn't jump in like Avie does, but she isn't afraid to get in and splash. I think it has more to do with the people there. If the nanny were in the pool with her, I don't think she would have a problem. But (warning: I'm going to seem cruel again) "life" isn't going to accomodate her, so I'm not going to bend on this one. Her personality is so very much like mine. I truly do understand how she feels. Depending on the situation, I will usually try to do things to help her feel more comfortable. If she were afraid of the water, then I would get in with her. But there is no reason to be afraid of the lifeguards. She needs to be able to trust and understand that lifeguards, firemen, police officers, etc. are going to help her. I don't want her to be afraid of them. It concerns me to think that if there were some sort of emergency, that she would resist them. Perhaps we should take a trip to the fire station and let her see the trucks and meet the firemen. I wonder if they let you do that in our town. Hmmm. Time to make some phone calls and see what I can find out.

I also plan on picking up a few noodles to take to the lake with us this weekend so I can play/practice with both girls. My mother, Mrs. Incredible, the greatest woman in the world in my opinion (who does not read my blog so, no, I'm not sucking up to her) has offered to run the shop for me so that the girls and I can go back to the lake on Friday for an extra long weekend! Hooray!! We have so much fun with the family when we are there, I can't wait to get back. I know the nanny will be excited to find out she doesn't have to work all day Friday...I think we are leaving immediately after swimming lessons. Too bad Mr. Wonderful won't be able to come with us. He may even have to work for a while on Saturday. He would drive separate anyway, so that he can bring his boat. You know the fishing song by Brad Paisley? Well, that is what Mr. Wonderful would say if I tried to keep him from fishing. He hasn't been in years because he has been working too much and the girls have been keeping us busy and plus he sold his boat after having problems with it. He was finally able to get another boat after several years, and took it to the lake last weekend. I don't think I'll ever see him again! I know he loves me, but it may just be possible that he loves fishing more!!

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend! 

Love and prayers for you all!!