Swimming (Almost)

Today was RJ's first swimming lesson without Mom in the pool.  It wasn't a huge failure--tears were shed for only 3-4 minutes.  Still, it wasn't a huge success, either, as RJ kept sneaking out and coming to find me on the other side of the pool.  But, I would just talk to him and walk him back over and put him right back in.  About midway into the 40 minute lesson, the Assistant Director of Aquatics came over to chat with me.  I steeled myself.  I was sure she was going to tell me that I needed to move RJ back to parent and child lessons.  She asked whether RJ was familiar with being in the pool.  When I told her that we had done parent and child lessons 6 different sessions, she seemed to be more at ease.  She recognized that it had nothing to do with fear of water, but it was fear of not being with mama-san.  So, she just told me to keep on keeping on.  If RJ gets out, put him back in, or at least put him back on the edge of the pool so he is with his class.  I'm hopeful that in a couple more days, RJ won't want to get out of the pool for anything.  I think his friend Jack and his new friend Victoria (we met her on the playground a few weeks ago--she's 5, but barely bigger than RJ and was very interested in playing the I-Spy type games I was having him play--and it turns out she is in RJ's class) will also motivate him to stay in the pool and do some skills.  It's sometimes hard for me to remember that he isn't even 3 yet.  RJ hangs with slightly older kids fairly well (most of the time) and definitely enjoys being with the older kids, so when he doesn't quite grasp something as quickly as the older kids do, I start fretting.  Then, oh yeah, I remember--the other kids have a year or two on him.  It will all come in good time.

Here are a few shots of the good moments from today, when I actually had a few seconds between escorting RJ back to the pool to shoot some pics.

Mr. Blue Whale and RJ - this was about 10 minutes in.  RJ is preparing his escape.

Mr. Blue Whale, RJ, and Jack.  All of this year's swim camp counselors are named after oceanic organisms (last year they were all named after drinks--we had Miss Lemonade, Mr. Sierra, and Miss Sunny D).  The other instructor for this year's class is Ms. Coral.

Mr. Blue Whale is very patient with RJ, Victoria, and Jack.  If Mr. Blue Whale were a chia pet, he would have needed a haircut by the end of the class as much as the kids watered his head.

Tonight, when Jip asked RJ if he was good in swimming lessons, he said, "no."  I was surprised.  I never said he wasn't good--I actually thought he did pretty well for his first day and said so.  But, RJ told Jip, "I kept getting out of the pool to find Mom.  Then she put me back in."  Jip asked him if he was going to do better tomorrow, and RJ answered with an enthusiastic, "yes!"  I'm sure he will. 

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!  I had a great day today and I hope that you all did as well.  RJ got me up way too early this morning, so we went downstairs to watch a movie and be quiet while Mom and Ryleigh got to sleep in a little bit.  After we were all downstairs later in the morning, I got my Father's Day gifts--thank you, Amy, RJ, and Ryleigh!  When Amy brought out the sack with a few gifts inside, RJ tore into it like a tornado.  Cards flew, tissue paper flew, gifts came out of the bag quickly.  His goal was to get to the bottom of the bag in record time!  We had to laugh, though, when RJ thought the card that he got for me was actually for him, and he wouldn't let go of it.

We had a reservation at the O-Club for 1130 brunch.  It was pretty good and RJ was okay today.  On Mother's Day, he was a terror.  He wasn't an angel in the restaurant today, but he was better behaved.  He has sooooo much energy and just wants to move, move, move.  I'm looking forward to the day when he will sit still through an entire meal!  The following are a  couple iPhone photos taken during the meal.

Here's RJ working on his knife skills to cut his cupcake that he got to decorate.

And here's Ryleigh after some sweet potato baby food, a few small pieces of squash, and some jello.

Since we were out and about and the kiddos were both tired, we decided to go for a quick drive in hopes they'd fall asleep (worked like a charm!).  While out on our drive along the coast, we stopped by a place called Cainz Home Do It Yourself, which is near to where we used to live in Kurihama.  I picked up some more drywall anchors, a few cup hooks, and some small chain which we later used to hang some stuffed animal holders--they're hard to describe, but they are basically a vertical fabric cylinder with pockets.  After getting home and hanging up the new stuffed animal homes, we played pretty hard all over the house and later enjoyed a nice dinner.

That's about it from here for today.  It was a good family day, and we enjoyed each others' company. 

This week ahead could be interesting with a "super typhoon" headed our direction.  It's supposed to weaken and will probably stay mostly out to sea, but we'll see what happens.  We're at TCCOR Condition IV right now and expect Condition III tomorrow sometime.  The worst of the storm is likely going to be here on Wednesday.  We'll keep you posted.  About the only thing we really need to do to prepare is go put all of RJ's outside toys in the shed and then tie the patio furniture (table and four chairs) together so they don't blow off or cause damage.

I'll close with another great RJ-learning-English story:  As we sat down to eat lunch yesterday, RJ blurted out, "Where's Ryleigh's boob?"  Amy and I gave each other a puzzled look and separately decided to ignore what he said.  He didn't let it go, though, and stated again, "Ryleigh has lost her boob?"  I was at a loss of what to say, but Amy realized that he was talking about Ryleigh's "bib" which had fallen to the floor.  Bib...boob...close enough :)

Best wishes to all the great fathers out there, and thanks again to the wonderful mothers who are by our sides!
-Jip

Today was Saturday. Yup, that about covers it.

Nothing much to speak of occurred in the Mosman house today. I baked Strawnana bread--a fabulous strawberry and banana bread, recipe courtesy of my friend Paula. Jip and RJ went to the gym. Jip went to work. Despite baking bread, I needed to satisfy my craving for cherry pie by making cherry hand pies for me and apple hand pies for Jip and RJ. That's about it. It was misty/rainy a good part of the day, so no playground or other adventures. But, here are a few pics from today and a couple of Ryleigh from yesterday.

Cool dude!

No pictures, paparazzi (Mom)!!

Enjoying the swing.

Cute girl!

I'm a woman?

We went to Chili's tonight for dinner (practically a once per week ritual since restaurant selections are slim here on base) and RJ was his usual rambunctious self.  The following conversation made us all laugh, including Ryleigh who likes to laugh when everyone else does.

RJ was "climbing" up a brick wall right next to our table.  He wasn't actually on it, but he was staring up it with his hands above his head and talking about how he was climbing it.  RJ then determined that he needed to go poop, which, of course, he announced loudly to the entire restaurant, so Amy took him to the bathroom.  Upon his return, he again announced to everyone near us, "Dad, no poop.  Only pee.  I'm going to climb the wall now."
Amy:  "You can't climb the wall.  You're not a mountain goat."
Jip:  "You're human."
RJ (looking very puzzled):  "I'm a woman?"

Maybe I should speak more clearly so I don't confuse my son...
-Jip

Hodgepodge

It was a typical Thursday. The weather turned out to be fairly nice, so we played in the backyard, the kids went for an evening run with Jip, and we played with Legos a lot today. So, here's just a hodgepodge of photos from today and a couple from a few days go.

Ryleigh loves pulling herself up to the couch.

She stays there until she gets too tired to do it anymore, then yells for help to get back down.

I love that siren, Bro!

Quality brother and sister time--one of the few moments where RJ wasn't worried about Ryleigh eating his Legos.

See Ryleigh, this is how the fire hose works.

RJ is into tipping over his pick-up and then uprighting it. I'm not sure of the purpose, but is anyone ever sure why a 2-year-old does what he does?

Cool dude with his glasses. RJ makes me giggle with how he wears his sunglasses--he pulls them own so far on his head that his ears fold over.

Ryleigh loves when I move the jumper outside--she's safe from RJ but not restricted by Mom.

Tomorrow's Friday! Jip will probably work Saturday. We're having brunch at the O Club on Sunday for Father's Day. Then swimming lessons begin Monday. Exciting days ahead!!