Swimming.....take 2!!!

I've learned quite a bit from our weeks in swim lessons....I soooooo wish we'd known about these awesome teachers last year. We put Kella in lessons at the gym last summer, unfortunately we found out at the END of the class that it was just a "lets-get-acquainted-with-the-water-blow-bubbles-for-fun-can-you-jump-off-the-side-without-having-a-melt-down" kind of class. Ugh! There was no intention of her learning to ''swim'' in that class OR heaven for bid, they learn what to do in case they fall in....isn't it nice to see that I am not holding a grudge.... =)~



Our first round of lessons was with Mrs. Margaret. (see earlier post) This week we met with Mrs. Melanie and her lovely daughters who assisted. She, too, holds the lessons in her backyard, has strict order of conduct (no parents allowed, kids should arrive with nothing other than a towel, no cover-up, no shoes, nothing!). The last day the parents get to come and cheer them on! There were only 2 other little girls in her class this time & Mrs. Melanie's approach was so sweet and gentle.

Upon arrival, Kella was quick to toss the towel and get on her "diamond". The steps had decorative tiles in the shape of diamonds for each of them to sit on - pretty clever, I thought!

First skill to showcase- the "submarine". The girls would push off the step and glide hands first to Mrs. Melanie - no kicking! It was so calm & peaceful to watch. I'm used to seeing Kella's version of swimming, which is squirming and flailing arms and legs, but this was calm.... she literally glided across the entire pool. I almost leaped from my chaise lounge with excitement!

Next, she pushed off Mrs. Melanie and glided back to the steps.

Moving on to kicking practice.

Practicing her arm motions. I love to hear what the teachers call each motion. It's difficult for me to practice (and frustrating for her too) when I call things by different names than her teacher. Here Mrs. Melanie would say "reach for my nose!" We have learned that Kella paddles with her arms backwards and to the sides instead of up and over. Before she would try like crazy to kick and paddle and she just wouldn't go anywhere!

Next was jumping (or being thrown from) the side.

And again.... first they would jump off and were supposed to turn around and go back to the edge, then hanging onto the side they would walk themselves back to the steps from the deep end. Most of the techniques are geared around pool safety, which gives me peace of mind that if she were to fall in she would know to go back to the side and not swim away from it!

Now it's time to get the rings...

And, of course, floating on her back.

All done! Usually they get fish stickers, but today was a popsicle!!!

So proud of my little fish! She worked pretty hard this week!!!!

Ryan Kate - 9 months!!!

We received this card in the mail this week... it's a list of all the "Blessings of 2009" from the Birth & Women's Center. Ryan was almost the last baby born in October. I remember when we were leaving they said someone was in labor and on their way! So fun to see all the names of those there before and after us! What sweet memories I have of that place!!!!

I found this pic awhile back, but decided to wait until Ryan was officially 9 mo. to post it....we have all wondered who the heck little Ryan Kate looks like and our questions were answered when I found this picture. When I showed this pic to Kella and told her that was mommy, she argued and said, "No mom! That's Ryan! But who are they?"

"Aug. 1978" - my big bro Brandon, mom holding me and my cousin Casey! I wish I would've thought to recapture this pic over the weekend when we were all together....bummer!


I did get these two of Case, mom & Ryan. Taken back in May at my Grannie's house!

Here's some shots taken throughout the month....

Her face she makes as she starts to laugh....if you could only hear her snorting while she does this! Kipp calls this her "ugly face".... poor baby!

She's starting to hang onto furniture, us, the dogs, Kella.....anything that will sit still really!

She loves to go for the dogs water and food....I told her "No" the other day, in a pretty stern voice, as she went for another handful of puppy food, she just looked at me and crumbled into a babbling mess! I think this was her first scolding and she's already playing the sympathy card!

Ummmm....I haven't quite mastered how to upload a video from our camcorder...believe me, I've tried. I have tons of precious video that I'm dying to share, but this is some video that Kella shot on our camera of Ryan at her current stage as a ''beginner crawler''. She's pretty good as getting up on her knees, even up on her feet (as she does in the video) and rockin her head back and forth! Remember, this is just a snip-it of video shot by Kella Marie!!!!

Congrats on 40 years MOM!

I'll start off with my inspiration pics from Martha...

*print your favorite pics in black & white on vellum paper, insert in frames, create a triangle and place a candle inside to light up your guest of honor! Love this!!!

Love, love, love using hot pink & orange together (just look at Ryan's room =D) I loved the look of this pic, paper lanterns, outside setting, bright colors... you get the idea...

I wish I had a pic of the invitation. Pretty simple, but pretty darn cute. It was 3 layers using store-bought invitations, a printed out poem that I wrote and flower coasters. The poem read:

August is fast approaching

"Back to School" is almost here,

School bells will ring

While the children sing,

"I'm gonna miss Ms. Myers this year!"

After 40 years she said, "It's time"

And with a little hesitation,

She waved good-bye to the 5 year olds,

And said, "I'm Forever on Vacation!"

This was the theme "Forever on Vacation", so I set the tone for a classic luau.

I set up some family pics and several yearbooks. Mom got her first job teaching remedial reading in Roland, OK in 1970. She said it was a year of many 'firsts" for her... she got a new husband, new car & new job all in the same year.

Sweet Cash Alan!

Kennedy, Kella & Gabriel

The teacher table!

Sweet Kella!

Some of the vellum pics...mom still has the scarf she was wearing in the pic on the right... I used to play 'dress-up' with it when I was little!

Table decor

Heather & mom... Heather will be taking over mom's old room in the fall... (sniff-sniff)

Liz, Olivia & Betty. Thanks for helping us celebrate girls!!! I know you had a busy day (Liz's baby shower was earlier that day), thanks for taking the time to help celebrate my mom!!!! Muah!

My version of Martha's vellum pics... so fun to rummage through mom's old pics! I wish I'd found enough to do this on every table.

The backyard as it was getting dark. Perfect setting to a perfect party.

Mom and her sisters, Kathy, Martha & Wanda.

Mom opening her present from all of us...

We had discussed getting her a watch, but I wanted to fake her out with a big box!

Mom with The Weedon's. Mom has taught Kindergarten with Perrie Beth since 1980, when she transferred from Roland to Sallisaw. The stories these two can tell and the ability to finish each other's sentences is priceless!

Mom enjoying her cards and opening more gifts!

A gift from Aunt Kathy! This is soooooo my mom!!!!

Me & mom

I had so much fun planning this party. As I thought about what it meant to retire, I realized how truly special it is. Being a SAHM, I will never have a retirement, lots of people will never have a retirement. To start your profession, work diligently for 40 years and finish in the same position is such a milestone! I'm so proud of her! I wish I had the number of students she's taught over the years...she WILL be missed!