Swim Lessons: Take 3

Well... after many tears and fears of "sinking" like he thought he was doing on day 2 of swim lessons, we finally got Kayode into his swim trunks. He didn't agree to actually go into the pool, but at least the trunks were on. He even asked Derek and Sade to come along for moral support!

Lo and behold, the awesome two-some even came... complained about being bored the whole time... and asked several times how much longer we had to be there... but, they came to support Kayode non-the-less!

Because they were there, Kayode was acting like he was excited about being at the pool!

Swim lessons began, like always, in a circle outside of the pool reviewing what they've learned in the past lessons... Kayode didn't even want to join the circle. I took him over and sat him down and stood behind him and slowly moved away as he became more engaged in the circle-time.

It was finally time to enter the pool and Kayode didn't want anything to do with the water! He ran to me, ran to Dele and even sat down by Derek and Sade hoping we wouldn't try to make him get into the water!

Ayodele was having a great time! Then, Kayode decided that he wanted to dive for the noodles again. After convincing him that he needed to get in for the whole lesson and not bits and pieces, he decided to get in the water!!! Finally! :) Kayode and Dele kicked, played Red-light/Green-light, dove for the noodles, did bobs, did floats, kicked with the kick board, learned how to tread water with ice-cream scoops (cupped hands) and played a game with life jackets on!

When he got out of the pool, Kayode was so proud of himself! He said, "I'm so proud of my hands! " (for helping him tread water and not sink!)

Both boys are excited about going to swim lessons next week!

Warning... Not for the faint at heart!

** ~~ W A R N I N G ~~ **

Graphic images follow....

e

Ayodele has been working on his top right tooth for the last few months. Recently, it became very, very loose! Last night it started dangling from his gums. Tonight he got home and said that everyone at school said he should pull it out... we all agreed, but he didn't want any assistance in it's removal! So.....

He wiggled and twisted until it looked like this... Eww!

and then... after hours of twisting and turning,

it finally came out!!! YEAH!!!

Now if only the Tooth Fairy remembers to make a stop at our house,

life will be good!

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Day 4

For today, Wednesday, November 5, 2008...

Outside my window... clear, dark sky speckled with stars, airplane lights and a beautiful hazy, cloud covered moon. (It's about 9:45 pm)

I am thinking...about how tired I am and I can't believe I'm still alive after teaching 4 & 5 year olds tonight!

I am thankful for... hopes, dreams and laughter.

From the kitchen... pop tarts! Tonight is dinner at church so we all came home and had pop-tarts for dessert. Mmmmm?

I am wearing... blue jeans (finally), white t-shirt with pink cotton button up over it and socks.

I am working on... getting packed for my weekend get-a-way.

I am reading... The Love Dare still... 40 days worth. I'm also reading Comfort & Joy by Kristen Hannah.

I pray... for our family to be where God wants us to be.

I am hearing... the TV in the kids room, the ticking of the clock and of course, the computer keys click-click-clicking.

Around the house... a mess...I haven't been home much today, lots of errands and in and outs, so no time to pick up clutter.

One of my favorite things... my lip gloss... Strawberry Punch... in a tin with a slide top like I used to have when I was younger.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Today: Youth Choir and Pioneer club; Thursday: Pick up the house (I think I mean clean), laundry, hopefully stay home!!!, Friday: Rest and leave for Connecticut until next Tuesday to visit my dad all alone... yes, I will miss my kids and husband, but I'm still going! :)

A picture thought I am sharing with you...

Swim Lessons: Take 2

Take 2...

Ever since Monday, Kayode has been dreading swim lessons!

We tried talking to him to let him know that he was going to learn to be the best swimmer...

Didn't work!

Tried telling him it would be fun...

Didn't work!

Tried to tell him he'd be much safer in the water...

You guessed it! Didn't work!!!

Through all of our talking, he finally admitted that he didn't like getting water up his nose and in his eyes... who does?!?

So we....Finally bribed him with new goggles and a nose plug...

and it worked!!!

By noon today, he was excited and couldn't wait to go!

Kayode was so excited at the pool...

they waited and watched for their teachers to arrive!

They even let me take pictures today...

(that wasn't happening on Monday!)

Kayode is ready to conquer swim lessons!

He's going to give it his all!

Then swimming lessons started....

He went over and sat in a circle with the other kids and the teachers. He got in line anxiously waiting to jump into the pool. Finally, it was his turn... he jumped! (With a smile on, I might add!) The teacher in the pool wasn't totally paying attention and, of course, Kayode can't swim hence the reason he's in swimming lessons... so he was struggling to get to the ladder until the other teacher jumped into the water to help him! He was alright, though... he joined the group at the wall and did a few bobs...

Then it happened... he got out of the pool to go "potty" and then informed me he was done!

"I don't like swimming lessons," he said.

"I don't want to be a better swimmer."

"I want to stay here with you!"

I wrapped him in his towel and went over to the side of the pool to watch the swimming lessons. He wanted to go back in for the diving for toys part of the lesson, but he was too late. Then he got into the pool for the "baby kicks." He kicked and kicked and I though maybe he'd stick it out... but... no! Again, he climbed out of the pool, got his towel and sat down on the outside of the pool to watch!

I guess we'll try again on Friday! I think Daddy's going to take him next time! Maybe he'll stay in the pool to show off for him!

I voted...did you?

One can only hope that our vote truly does make a difference! With our economy falling to pieces, our education programs failing, and families losing everything they once knew as theirs, it's time for a change! I don't consider myself Democrat or Republican... only American. I believe that each candidate has strengths that could aid our country into becoming what it was designed to be...a land of opportunity! Yes, I voted, and I pray that I made the right choice for our country and my family! I hope that people vote in a way that will lead us to a chance at a brighter future! I thank God that we are given the freedom of choice and life here on Earth to make a difference!

Swimming Lessons

So today was day one of 5 swimming lessons for Ayodele and Kayode. Since we've had them signed up about 2 weeks ago, they've gone from

"Do we get to go swimming today?" to ...

"I'm not going!" and even ...

"This will be fun!"

Kayode and I packed up the pool bag with Ayodele's swim trunks, towels, goggles and extra clothes. Kayode put on his swim trunks and jumped around the living room all excited to go! We picked up Ayodele from school and headed for Desert Breeze Aquatic Center. Ayodele went into the locker room and changed and then we found our way to the Level II lesson pool. We were a little early so the boys kept asking if they could jump into the pool. Of course, I said,

"No... just sit down and chill before your teacher comes out."

(I'm such a mean mom! LOL)

The teachers finally came out, introduced themselves and then took the kids over to the pool. They sat in a circle and got to know each other's names. Of course, my boys have the most difficult names to pronounce when you don't know how so Aye-o-dell was called and Ki-yo-tea was called next. (Poor kids...) Finally, when the teachers knew their names they climbed into the pool.

The teachers had them hold onto the wall and put their faces into the water, bob their whole bodies under water, float on their tummies and backs, dive down to get a water noodle and jump into the pool. The teachers and Kayode were shivering most of the lesson... obviously they need to heat the pool a little more! Just because we live in Las Vegas doesn't mean we need to swim in freezing cold pools!

Once the lesson was over, Kayode got out of the water crying! He had water up his nose and chlorine in his eyes! He informed me that,

"I've learned enough! One lesson is enough!"

Ayodele can't wait to go back because it's

"Free swimming!"

Hopefully before Wednesday when they go back for day 2 we can convince Kayode that swimming lessons are fun and he'll be such a better swimmer when he's done! The problem is that he already thinks he swims good enough! Maybe if I get him a nose plug and some special goggles he'll at least try it again! Who knows... wish us luck!

10 weeks of winners...?

Hey, I'll do almost anything for something FREE... especially if it's "Wicked" related! Because of my desire to win a CD of the musical "Wicked" and an autographed copy of the book, you get to read about sunshineandlemonade.blogspot.coms 10 weeks of winners contest. I've got my fingers crossed... I hope I win!!!!

Lunch date

Dele has returned from Nigeria after two weeks of being gone. He returned Friday night after Trick-or-treating. Saturday afternoon he took me on a lunch date to Viva Mercado's Mexican Restaurant. I love Mexican food!!! I ate way too much, but it was so yummy! We don't go out for Mexican much, so when we do, I make sure that I eat enough until the next time! Unfortunately, restaurants here in Vegas don't serve Arroz con Pollo, which is my all-time favorite dish, so I had enchilada's which would be my next favorite dish. It was nice to get out alone with Dele since it's back to work for him on Monday! All weekend long, we had the chance to catch up and visit and just hang out with each other and the kids!

Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating was lots of fun, the evening was beautiful! We were quite the busy family... first, we tried to go to the outside mall, but couldn't find a parking spot. Then we stopped in a small neighborhood to do some "old-fashioned" trick-or-treating. Once we visited a couple of houses, we went on to our churches Harvest Festival. After we made our rounds there, we went trick-or-treating in our old neighborhood. The kids had a good time! Derek thought he was too old to come with us, so he stayed home. When we were done, we stopped at McDonald's for ice cream cones... we had to waste time until Dele's plane came in from Atlanta. Finally, it was time to pick up Dele at the airport. By the time we got there, he was already getting his luggage. It is certainly nice to have him home!