Swim Lessons 2010: Round 1, Week 1

This past week, Emerson started her first-ever series of swim lessons.  The classes run every Monday and Wednesday for three weeks.  We actually got rained/thundered out on Wednesday, but she had enough fun on Monday to last her all week.  We weren't quite sure just how these lessons would go, being that (unbelievably) Emerson has never been in a swimming pool, other than baby pools at our house and Mimi's.  Emerson showed us that she has no fear and quickly followed her teacher, Ms. Mary, and the four other children in her class to the edge of the pool to begin the lesson.

Ready for her swim lesson!!

Paying attention to Ms. Mary for the rules 

of the pool! 

After explaining all the rules of the pool, Ms. Mary had all the kids splash in the water with their feet.  They really enjoyed splashing, but you can tell from the picture, Emerson wasn't a fan of having the water splash in her eyes.  After splashing, they worked on kicking their legs, using their arms, doing both simultaneously, and blowing bubbles in the water.  Mary was very patient with all the kids and gave each one of them individualized attention.  For each exercise, she would come get a child and they would spend a minute or two working on the particular exercise at hand.  I was also impressed by all the kids and their patience, as she spent time with each child, the others did a great job waiting for their turn. 

Splashing!!!

Kicking legs, moving arms, doing both together, 

and blowing bubbles with Mary!!

Waiting their turn, patiently!!

The last two exercises of the 30-minute lesson garnered the most excitement from the five toddlers.  Ms. Mary pulled out the float belt.  All the kids had a great time during their turn holding onto the wall, and pushing off toward Mary, all-the-while being held up with the float belt. After the wall exercise, all the kids got in line for their turn at jumping into the pool (with Marys help, of course).  No fear was displayed, as each kid took their turn jumping in and then repeating the process.  

The Float Belt

Jumping!!

It was a great first lesson and Emerson was VERY sad we had to leave the pool.  We had to promise her the next lesson would involve some pool playtime with Daddy afterwards.  We got rained (more like thundered) out on Wednesday and Emerson was so sad we couldn't have the lesson.  On the way home she said, "Mommy, I am so sad I couldn't swim today.  Aren't you sad?"  I have a feeling we will be spending some extra time at the pool tomorrow evening after the lesson.  

My Favorites:

Wordless Wednesday: BOW-tastic!!!

A Unique Dining Experience

In all of Emerson's almost-three-years-of-life we have never taken her to a Japanese Steakhouse.  For some reason, we just never think about going to them, which is hard to believe, because our neighbor Dale Herman, a HUGE fan, talks about them frequently and jokes about going all the time.  Saturday night, Emerson had her first opportunity to see just what all the talk was about.  We met Grammy and Papa at Kabuki to celebrate Grammy's birthday (we have a lot of June birthdays in the family).  I know Uncle Dale will be disappointed that Emerson's first time wasn't at Kanki (his favorite).  We'll save that special trip for you, Dale!! 

I'm actually surprised we even got Emerson to the table, she was enthralled with the koi fish at the entrance and we made several trips back during dinner.  Emerson wasn't so excited about the entire steakhouse experience, but that also might be because she is almost three and restaurants have become a bit of a problem area for us.  Emerson settled down a bit when all the cooking began.  She actually paid attention and "flirted" with the cook a bit.  She did a great job using her kid-friendly chopsticks.  I think she will take after her mother and be a chopstick user.  Emerson even ate the special pasta (ahem, read rice); she isn't a huge fan of rice. Emerson did get a bit scared at the end of the cooking when the cook lit the hibachi grill on fire.  After dinner, we ventured back out to the entrance to see the fish AGAIN.  Overall, they were Emerson's favorite part of the evening besides the trip to Cold Stone Creamery afterwards!! 

Intrigued by cooking...

Using Chopsticks!!!

Checking out the koi...

She's Got Her Dancin' Shoes!!

Some of you may remember, back in August, Emerson was invited by her friend Haegan to her first (what we will call) "unofficial" attempt at a dance class. You might also remember that the class didn't go so well; there were tears....lots of tears!!  Emerson stood on her circle, scared-to-death, the entire time.  Well, we hope 10 months of maturing has made a difference, because this coming Saturday, Emerson starts summer dance classes with her friends, Haegan and Aurora, at Stage Door Dance. 

On Saturday, in anticipation of her first "official" dance class, we headed to Southeast Dance Shop to purchase Emerson's first pair of ballet and tap shoes.  Aurora met us there, as she was also purchasing her shoes for the class.  I'm not sure who was more excited, Emerson or me.  Ballet and Tap in toddler sized shoes...too cute!!!  Emerson did great getting measured for her ballet and tap shoes, standing straight up and very still.  She loved walking on her tippy toes in her ballet shoes and tapping in her tap shoes.  It just so happens that the girl working at Southeast, and helping the girls that morning, is going to be their dance teacher, Ms. Jenn.  She was great with the girls and very patient.  We joked that she is going to have her hands full; little does she know, it wasn't a joke! She doesn't know that she has a triple threat to deal with!!  Emerson, Haegan and Aurora will be a force to be reckoned with.  Emerson and I have been practicing tap, step, tap, step for the past couple of weeks and she is so excited to actually put her shoes on Saturday and make a tap, tap, tapping sound and Mommy is even more excited to see her do it!!!

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt

Last weekend, Notes from a Mom in Chapel Hill (a blog I follow dedicated to moms in this area) had a quick write-up on Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt.  Boy am I glad I paid attention to my blog roll that day!  We decided to head on over to Orange Leaf and check it out.  We invited Mimi and Birdie to tag along with us so we could celebrate Mimi's birthday with one of her favorite treats, FROZEN YOGURT!!! 

Orange Leaf is awesome!  If you are a frozen yogurt fan, then this needs to be added to one of your must try places.  Orange Leaf is a self-serve establishment.  You pick your flavor, how much you want, and your toppings and then you weigh it, and pay for it.  I think it was $0.39 per ounce, but don't quote me on it.  They have about ten different flavors ranging from mango and peanut butter to your standard chocolate and vanilla.  I can tell you, it is definitely going to be frequented by the Devers this summer.  If you're in the area, go check it out!!!

Do you think we might be in trouble in the future?....check out that hand on that hip!!