The Girls In Action

As mentioned previously the girls are busy during the week.  We feel swimming lessons are important and we were lucky enough to get the girls into lessons at the same time.  This is Teresa's last set of lessons named after an animal (we think it is Sunfish, but we can't recall), as she will be 6 next round of lessons so she will numbered...  Both seem to be having great fun, but they seem confused by the idea of "swimming" at Grand Beach.



Cara and I also had a slight disagreement about soccer, but both the girls asked to be in it so we put them in soccer, which once again was conveniently scheduled at the same time for both of them.  It is also quite nice that Teresa gets to see a bunch of her pre-school friends, as Teresa broke Cara's heart earlier this year when she told Frances that she would make lots of friends at pre-school and lose them all when she went to Browning...  Also the two girls are on the same teams as another pair of sisters that Teresa made fast friends with this year in kindergarten.  The girls though are not the best athletes (I know you are stunned, how could they not with such a lineage that they are bred from?) and as such are generally more interested  in the social aspects of the game, like dandelion picking, snack time and breaks.

The girls proudly wearing their jerseys.

The girls normally ride to & from soccer.  Teresa may be able to graduate to no training wheels this summer, and Frances to Teresa's old bike.  That bike was Teresa's 5th birthday present.

Frances practicing her kicking.

Teresa's soccer team having a tête à tête.  I am pretty sure the discussion went something like this: "OK, so we will all chase the ball in a pack.  Oh, Grace, you want to pick dandelions?  That's fine.  Also, remember never to anticipate where the ball will end up, just run to where it is.  Dylan, when you get the ball make sure you kick it towards our net."

Frances enjoying the social aspect of the game.

Hey look, Teresa's working at getting to the ball!

Magaret & Rowdy regularly come to the games.

Rowdy is in heaven as everyone wants to pet him. 

Teresa actually excelled at goal, attacking the ball, coming out to block angles, and generally behaving like a goalie should!

Pre-Swimming Shenangians

Teresa is in swimming lessons at Pan Am Tuesdays and I generally get to bring her. She's doing OK, but really doesn't like a back float, nor jumping in deep water. We got here early today so we sat around and Teresa starting mugging for the camera so here the pictures are...

More cuteness & Frances Swimming...

So I spend the entire 30 minutes with Frances in the water, primarily trying to keep her from lunging to her impending doom.  Last week, they busted out the life jackets and she learned the terror of being n her own in the water.  This, of course, did not dissuade her from jumping off the wall nor did it keep her from leaping off the wall with a mere hope and a prayer that I will be there for her...

We have fun.  We sing.  We jump.  We blow bubbles.  Frances is better than Teresa was at her age, but she is also so terribly unpredictable...  Last week, she went and tried to give Teresa a pool noodle during Teresa's lesson.  We of course stopped her from jumping in the pool (by the skin of our teeth).

Here's a few pictures Cara took of our joy...

Here is Teresa with a beautiful tie.

This is the most amazing smile I have ever seen.

Frances in her normal state...  Attempting to get undressed.

Dangling by her swimsuit.  She loves that too.

I may look like a goober, but Frances loves playing on my shoulders.

Swimming...  Frances actually holding on...  The water looks cool too.

The key to letting Frances go down the slide is to release her at the steps and quickly lunge towards the slide, hoping that you get there first.

Frances after the slide.  All sorts of happy...  

Yup, more happy + thumb sucking.

Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Here is the one time I was home and Frances was indicating that she was trying too poop.  I put her on the toilet.  She liked it, but has bunged up, so alas, no success.  We will probably be training her over Christmas of after Anna is gone as Cara feels too overwhelmed with her about...

Swimming Lessons - Teresa

Teresa is now in swimming lessons, well, has been for the last few weeks and she is doing really well. This is her second attempt at this level, and I'm glad she's taking it again. This time around she is more independent and confident in her abilities. It's so nice to see her come so far. She is now jumping in with no help from the teacher, going under without freaking out and her front floats are coming along nicely. Teresa loves swimming lessons, maybe she'll take after her mom and be a life guard one day (fingers crossed).

 Class time.

 Frances likes to watch her big sis while she waits.

Big jump

 She's trying to swim on her own!

She looks so proud of herself.

First of Many

Wednesday was Teresa's second first day of school, the day she has been anticipating for two weeks now. She loves school, her friends, her new teacher, and I love that she's excited. I love her independence, giving me a quick kiss before heading off to do puzzles, and her excitement of seeing us when we return. School has never been a time for tears, and I hope it never is.

WORST. SALESWOMAN. EVER.

So Frances is six months now, and since I am a "good" mother I introduce her to solid foods. I even mix the cereal with breast milk in order to make the transition a little more palatable. The first day she takes a couple spoonfuls and smiles and the maniac (me) making funny faces at her. The second day she is clearly unimpressed, but eats a bit, forcing down a couple spoonfuls so that the boob lady will give her what she wants already. The third day I got this:

And this:

Complete with gagging....

Needles to say, this whole solids this is not looking promising. And I'm wondering how strict I've got to be with this thing? I mean, how important is it really babies eat solids RIGHT at six months. With Teresa I just followed her lead when she was this age and I let her tell me when she was ready. With Frances, she seemed ready, but this morning she wouldn't even open her mouth for the spoon. So, after talking it over with Ken, we have decided to take a week off. I may try some fruit and veggies to see if those are more palatable to our little diva. I'll have to think of something, because right now, she is not buying what I'm selling. Any parents out there with suggestions? Other than exclusively nursing for a year, I don't need the girls going on strike as well, or looking like tube socks (sorry).