Not Forgotten: Day 5

Hey Arlo - Swimming lessons are over!
xo

Swimming Lesson: Day 5

Swimming Lesson: Day 5 aka The Awards Ceremony
And the award for the Most Enthusiastic Swimmer goes to:

Hugh's final lesson was filled with sunshine...calm water...chirping birds...swimming...blowing bubbles...jumping...drifting {which closely resembles swimming}....adoring fans and one heck of an awards ceremony.Hugh, we are so proud of you! It's hard to believe that 5 days ago you wouldn't even put one toe in the water...and now look at you! I take my hat off to all the swimming teachers out there but I give a special curtsy to ours...Jenny.And so concludes our Swimming Lessons!

The End

xo

Not Forgotten: Day 4

Not Forgotten: Day 4

Loving on lambchop and your fingers....

hanging out with Uncle Peter....and napping at your brother's swimming class....
our dear Arlo, you are not forgotten!

xo

Swimming Lesson: Day 4

Swimming Lesson: Day 4

Two words best describe today's lesson: Drama & Whistle.

Let me explain:

A glorious sunny morning with a slight chill in the air, our dear Hugh made known: "I am skipping the swimming lesson". Drama. After about 5 minutes of gentle nudging he agreed to go especially because Uncle Peter had made special efforts to wake up early to watch Hugh. It also helped that Uncle Peter made for an excellent piggy back ride on the way to class.

Upon arriving at our lesson, Hugh decided it was time to go home. Drama. Fortunately his ever so patient swimming instructor lent him her whistle. This of course made Hugh feel very important and he decided to stay. Whistle.

After a couple out of water games, Hugh decided it was time to go home again. Drama.

Normally I would follow, but today I thought I would wait it out...and sure enough he returned just in time to get in the lake. He went in easily and immediately wiggled himself into a swimming position. And even though all the other children were standing around in a circle {doing as they were instructed}, Hugh continued to swim...mostly in place.Feeling rather adventurous Hugh began to swim {drift} towards the rocks separating himself from the rest of the class. Drama. From the shore we could see Hugh was not in any danger...we could also see the rather panicky look in his eyes. Desperately Hugh tried to blow the whistle attached to his life jacket to alert the others of his waywardness. Drama & Whistle.

Although unsuccessfully making any noise from his wet whistle, he did manage to grab the attention from his instructor who then towed him to safety.

Hugh continued to swim but decided to exit the water early as he was turning a little blue. Poor Hugh didn't stop shivering until an hour after his lessons had ended. I'll give him, Drama...for that one too!
And so concludes Swimming Lesson: Day 4

xo

Swimming Lesson: Day 3

Swimming Lesson: Day 3

It was bound to happen....RAIN.

But did it stop us? Well...sort of...but not really.

Umbrella in hand, we trudged through the soggy ground while swatting at mosquitoes making our way to our third swimming lesson. Hugh's brave fans...Nana and Arlo...followed to witness Hugh's new aquatic skills.Hugh was less than enthusiastic about going...after all the rain was picking up speed and the temperature was dropping. However, he was determined to show his teacher his new swimming accessory: Water Flippers {or as Hugh refers to them: Water Skis}With cats and dogs now falling out of the sky...Nana and Arlo headed home...and Hugh's mood began to really dampen {sorry, I'm lovin' the puns lately!}. But then his teacher said two words: Balloon Toss...and our little fish perked up!Following the balloon toss Hugh put his two flippers in the water only to make {in my opinion, speaking as a shivering wet spectator} a very wise decision to call it a day...and with that we headed home to bake cookies. Oh how I love him {and cookies} so! And so concludes Swimming Lesson: Day 3
xo

Not Forgotten

"But what about Arlo? What has he been doing during Hugh's swimming lessons? " you ask.

Mr. Debonair has been taking it easy...real easy....in his carriage parked by the lake. Truly, is there anything better? I think not.

xo

Swimming Lesson: Day 2

Swimming Lesson: Day 2

Standing on the dock where Hugh would soon have to jump off, he concluded that although a slightly hazy sky all other weather requirements were just perfect for a delightful swimming lesson.The class began with a quick review of yesterday's lesson in which Hugh was the first {and loudest} to answer each question:

"Hugh you are quite keen aren't you?" said the instructor

That's an understatement...regardless, it's good to know we have such an enthusiastic swimmer.

Similar to our first lesson, Hugh was first in the water. But this time...drum roll please...Hugh stayed in the water. He did kicks...blew bubbles...and mastered the flutter board!

But the piece-de-resistance was this:

Great jumping Hugh!

And so concludes Swimming Lesson: Day 2

xo

Swimming Lesson: Day 1

For the next 5 days we will be following Hugh as he dares to dip his toes, elbows and maybe his button nose in the lake.

Swimming Lesson: Day 1

With huge black clouds and gusty winds greeting us this morning I started to feel a little nervous for Hugh's first swimming lesson. Hugh, like his mother, prefers {read: requires} perfect conditions before going into the lake...such as a hot, hot, hot sun, no wind, blue sky, sounds of birds chirping, green grass, clear water, no waves and no fish. We're not picky...

Hugh surprised me with his go get 'em attitude as he put on his suit, water shoes and life jacket without complaint. He marched over to the our lesson destination looking like a real Steve Zissou {reference The Life Aquatic}.

The class began out of the water with simple introductions: "My name is Hugh and I like hamburgers".The lesson was moving along swimmingly {sorry, I just had to} and it was time to get in the water. Again, Hugh surprised me being the first one in his class to step in the lake.

He took approximately 5 more shivering steps away from the shore before turning around returning safely to dry land.
"Come On HUGH!" begged the instructor

"No thank YOU!" replied Hugh

The remainder of the swimming lesson was spent on my lap as we studied the other children's progress. At one point I had a little flicker of hope as Hugh got out of my lap and followed the class to the dock where they were learning to jump in the lake. He stood in the queue looking quite courageous and then with a graceful turn on his heel he walked back down the dock...into the grass...and on to my lap.

And so concludes Swimming Lesson: Day 1

xo

Hugh & Arlo

Me: "Hugh! Please get off of your brother!"

Hugh: "But Mummy. He likes it. He's smiling."

Me: "Yeah right...oh wait...well look at that."

xo

Raspberry

Uh-oh...the wild raspberries are ready! And nobody loves raspberries like Hugh and I love raspberries. For one short tiny second I thought about the birds...the foxes...all the critters that may go a little hungry because of our berry thieving hands...and for one short tiny second I felt a twinge of guilt...but...well...um...you see...We just couldn't resist...And look, we saved a few for those lovely creatures...so the raspberries might need a little dusting but hey, they've already been picked.Arlo couldn't believe the nerve of us 'stealing' the berries from the animals and wanted nothing to do with it...nice fake sleeping Arlo!!!
xo