We love the pool!

As I have said in previous posts, Grant and Beckett love Gym Swim. This last week I took a few pictures of the boys playing in the pool. I love the look of pure joy on Beckett's face. They are playing Ring Around the Rosey in these pictures.

I am also including a video of Grant from today. He is so confident in the pool and when we went to open swim today he swam across the pool. The water is over his head making me (and the lifeguard) a bit nervous...as you will see there are times that I think he's not going to make it. But so far he always makes it to the other side...he has learned to pop himself up off the bottom and take breaths...all good tools. I still am nervous though. :-) I think that it was better when he was afraid if it was over his head and wouldn't venture in.

Our Week

This week Roger and I were fortunate to have a very tired 4 year old pushing boundaries, getting used to his new schedule and trying out life without a nap. Then we also had the joy of a 2 year old who is discovering his love of the word "NO!" and also adjusting to a new schedule, which sometimes means a shorter nap.

That said, there were some pretty funny moments from this week...mostly from Beckett.

B - tonight we were eating dinner. Roger said, "Beckett, don't play with your food." Beckett responded - "I'm not, I'm just goofing around." I think that we might have a lawyer on our hands.

B - getting out of the car, I open his door and he sings to me "I'm gonna pack my bags and I'm gonna go away." Quoting a song that was just on the radio...or maybe telling me what he was going to do when we got inside.

Watching football with dad. Apparently our new couch isn't comfy on its own.

Couple of tired boys at the end of the day.

Grant and his friend Isaac at a science class at the children's museum this week. Grant kept putting his arm around Isaac - so cute.

It was "H" week at school, so Thursday was hat day.

Tired Beckett...I think that he had just said "NO!"

Trying out the hat backwards.

My Little Man

GO SAINTS!

On Mondays, Grant has a class called Gym/Swim at the YMCA. For one hour he plays a game in the gym and then gets to play in the pool for an hour. Greatest. Class. Ever! Grant has 2 friends in this class - Isaac and Emmitt.

Last session, while Grant's class was in the swim portion, I took Beckett swimming during open swim. Since this session began, the Gym/Swim teacher has allowed Beckett to come into the pool with the big G/S kids. Not only does Beckett LOVE swimming with the big kids, but Mommy loves it because it means that I don't have to go swimming too. :-)

Now that you have a bit of background, here are 2 funny stories from today:

1 - Beckett and I walk into the family restroom and the Gym/Swim class is in there getting changed and ready to go swimming. The teachers greet him immediately (Hey Beckett!). Beckett smiles at them, walks down the hall, greeting and giving a quick wave to everyone as he goes (Hi Drant. Hi Emmitt. Hi Isaac. I go into pool.) He struts down the hall to one of the open bathrooms and closes the door behind us.

2 - While getting him dressed, I gave him a bit of a granola bar to snack on. I checked his mouth before he got into the pool (he tends to store food in his cheeks) and, except for a few pieces of oatmeal, he was clear. Well, after about 15 minutes in the pool, one of the teachers yells for everyone to get out because someone vomited in the pool...Here's my dilemma...did someone really get sick or did Beckett have more than just a few pieces of oatmeal in his mouth and decided to spit the stored up granola bar into the pool. Hmmmmm. Maybe I will bring grapes next time. :-)

"My Favorite Part....The Whole Thing!"

Today was a big day in our house - Grant started Preschool!

After looking at several programs in the area, we decided on a program within a Methodist Church not too far from the house. Grant will go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 - 2:00. During those 5 hours, Grant will learn about letters, numbers and basic math, science, music and Spanish. The science portion is taught by a separate teacher that comes into their classroom and the music portion is in a classroom down the hall, again taught by a different teacher. So, with his 2 classroom teachers, Grant sees 4 teachers during his day.

There are a total of 13 students in his class, again with 2 co-teachers.

He was a little nervous this morning, but, as he told me, mostly excited. Drop off is very hectic with all the parents bringing the kids in, signing kids in, dropping off backpacks and coats, then putting lunchboxes away.

His classroom (The Stars) is very welcoming with both teachers giving the kids big hugs as they come through the door. With a little tear in my eye and a lump in my throat, Beckett and I headed out the door while Grant settled down to do a morning craft.

At 2:00, Beckett and I headed back. Today was not only their fall party, but also the birthday of one of his classmates...not a bad way to start! He came running up, gave me a HUGE hug and said he'd had a great day. Loaded down with crafts and more paperwork for me to fill out, we headed home just in time for both the kids to crash out for a couple of hours.

When I was sitting with Grant before he laid down, he said, "mom, ask me what my favorite part was." "Grant, what was your favorite part?"

"My favorite part was all of it."

Couldn't ask for anything more. :-)

 All ready for his first day...again though, what's with the pose?

 Beckett following Grant...with a drill of course.

Grant in his seat, ready to go...sigh...sniff sniff.

Happy Halloween!

Whew! Today was a busy busy busy day.

First thing this morning (6:15 am), Isaac, a good friend of Grant's came over. Isaac's little brother was going in to get tubes put in his ears (everything went great!). Then at about 930, Emmitt, another friend of Grant's, came over so that we could head to the YMCA for their Gym/Swim class. (It was my first car pooling experience and I am happy to report that all went well. Although I will be glad when I don't have to work with a car seat and 3 booster seats!) After 2 hours of running and swimming, we headed home, dropped off Emmitt, and had lunch and naps. Then, promptly at 6:00, we headed out the door to begin Trick or Treating.

Grant dressed up at Batman and Beckett wore Grant's fireman costume from last year. I had wanted to put together a Robin costume for Beckett, but sadly, it just didn't happen.

Beckett was a real trooper. He lasted with Grant until about 7:15 and then Grant and I dropped him off with Roger and we finished out the neighborhood...mostly...and trick or treated until 8:00. Grant was absolutely wiped at the end of it, tripping over the cracks in the sidewalk on the way home.

 Grant showing off his fierceness as Batman. Not sure where the hip action came from, but as you will see in future pictures, it seems to be his new thing.

 Beckett the fireman. Poor kid, the costume was WAY to big on him.

 All ready to go, standing by their pumpkins. We didn't get around to carving this year...these are the ones that they painted at a class we went to while Cap and Macie were in town.

 Trick or Treat! Some of the steps were SO big...Beckett really had to work to get to the door.

 May need to reevaluate the bag for next year too...Beckett kept dragging it on the ground.

"We got some more candy!"

My favorite lines from the night:

Beckett runs up first...

B - Mommy I got pretzels!

Grant runs up next...

G - Mom, all they had was pretzels.

Oh how things change in 2 years. :-)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Our Growing Boys

Grant had his 4 year check up today. Everything checked out great - I was impressed with how well he answered all the doctors questions. It was a much more in depth appointment this time (longer exam, jump, stand on one foot) along with a few shots. The longer exam paired with Beckett being in the room made for a very small space. All in all though, everyone did great.

Stats

Grant - 57 pounds (99th percentile), 44 inches (98th percentile)
Since his 3 year appointment, Grant has grown 3 3/4" and gained 5 pounds.

Beckett weighs 39 pounds. Since it wasn't his appointment I don't know his height or percentages, but at his 2 year appointment (beginning of June) he was 36 pounds.

Whew. No wonder I am always so tired.

We are also in the beginning stages of potty training Beckett. He knows that, if he tries, he is able to wear a pair of Grant's boxers over his pjs. I believe you have all seen a picture of that. But here's one you haven't seen...it's a potty party in our house every night. I know, you all wish you could be here to join in. :-)

Happy Birthday Grant!

I can't believe it - Grant turned 4 years old today. Amazing how fast it goes!

Last week we had his "friend" party. Luckily the weather held out because we had about 25 kids/parents over for burgers, cake and a pinata. Below is the video of the kids trying to break open the pinata. Took a lot longer than we thought it would...maybe it was the plastic bat, but maybe it was the little arms swinging the bat!

Today we went to the Children's Museum with Macie and Cap. It was M&C's first trip, so Grant was really excited to show them all the amazing exhibits. We completely wore ourselves out, got home in time for a good nap and then the birthday excitement began. Presents galore, pizza for dinner and ice cream cake for dessert. As Grant said, it's the best birthday ever.