Four Little Fishies/Two Triathletes

Ian and Ayden both took swimming lessons over the past two weeks, each with a buddy.

Ian was teamed up with his best bud, Erik.

They both did great.

Ian has so much more confidence in the water now.

He'll jump in and swim to us and we'll turn him around to swim back to the wall.

He learned how to jump in and turn around underwater to find the wall and climb out.

He doesn't have any interest in floating on his back,

but we'll work on that some more on our own.

Craig and Brien were their teachers and they did great with the boys,

speaking gently on their level and making them feel so proud of themselves.

Ayden was paired up with Kota Bear, of course.

These two boys are swimming so well this year.

They were both swimming free style across the pool and back, coming up for air and all.

Ayden just needs a little more leg power with his backstroke, but he does great with his arms.

His teacher, Miranda, told me that she loved teaching Ayden, that he was so sweet and she will miss him (music to a Momma's ears).

So, with their swimming skills fresh on their minds, Robin called me up the other day and talked us into signing up Ayden and Dakota for a kids' triathlon.

They were in the 5-6 year old division and swam 25 yards-biked 1 mile-ran half a mile. It was so fun preparing for the big race, cheering them on, and soaking in the post race glory! We are so proud of those two. They were so tough and did great! Dakota took a spill on his bike and scraped his knee, but kept racing, blood and all. They are now official Rocket Kidz!

Great job, boys!!

Now Robin and I just might get ourselves ready for our own triathlon.

I do feel a little hypocritical getting my child to do this when I've never tried it myself.

I have been doing the "Insanity" workout program, so I'm getting stronger. We'll see.

Mr. Charles. In Afton's Words It's "Ian Choys Chuchinchun"

Ian has been accomplishing a lot lately too.

His class had a dance teacher come every Tuesday and Thursday morning this year,

and they had a performance in May.

It was a take on "the Tortoise and the Hare."

Ian was a squirrel. He is shy when he gets in front of people, so I was nervous that he wouldn't even come out on stage. Boy was I wrong!

He wasn't scared at all, and did all of his little dance moves.

It was such a joy for me to watch. He is outgrowing his shyness in a big way.

Afton is his biggest fan, and the love goes both ways.

I went with Ian on a field trip to the State Capital and museum.

Isn't he such a handsome little fella?!

He finished his first full year of preschool!

He has learned so much and LOVED school (for about 95% of the time).

Ayden's Recent Milestones

Ayden's First Piano Recital

He wasn't nervous at all.

He played his song perfectly.

Ayden Lost His First Tooth

Here it is nice and loose...

He was pulling it all the way down with his tongue...

Then it popped out!

We were visiting family in Galveston without Daddy,

so we waited until we got back home the following night to put his tooth under his pillow.

The tooth fairy brought him a $2 bill and three golden $1 coins!!

Third milestone for Ayden: Responsibility. He earns allowance for making his own bed (25 cents), folding and putting away his own clothes ($1), and putting things away throughout the day (payment varies). He is very careful and precise with his shirt folding. I love watching him mature like this and he is so proud of himself when he does these chores. He saved enough money to pay halfsies for a real dirt buster so he can clean up messes in his room. (His request!) It comes in the mail tomorrow and he is elated about this.