Swim Lesson Progress

This is Sam's last week of swim lessons for the whole summer. I'm so excited about the confidence he has gained in the water. I was bribing him to go to swim lessons in March, and now, just four months later, he looks forward to them. Even on days when he doesn't have swim lessons, he asks to go to the pool. Here's a video with him and his main man, Sam.

So This Is How It All Begins

True Story.

Early Sunday morning, Sam had to use the potty, and he missed the target a bit. I gently pointed out his error (after discovering it with my bare feet), gave him some toilet paper, and asked him to clean it up. He was happy to oblige. During the course of the cleaning session, Sam said, "You know Daddy misses sometimes, too? I think he came up here and did this." (Note: It was 6:30 a.m., and Bruce was sleeping in our bedroom downstairs.) Sam continued, "If you ask him, he'll say he didn't. But he won't be telling the truth."

I'm afraid.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

We headed up to Virginia for a weekend trip and birthday party for Bruce's mom last weekend. Sam loves a road trip! He did, however, start asking if we were there yet, not 15 minutes out of town. Do they teach that in school?


Oh, did I mention it was a pool party?


And that Sam's favorite cousin, Daniel (in the float), was there? Sam is still riding that high.


The cousins gather, as Daniel holds forth.


There was cake. Of course.


Everyone celebrated the birthday girl (and boy -- Sam's youngest cousin, James, just turned one!).


And then everyone tried to organize for a family photo.


Daniel and his family gave Sam his birthday present early! He was thrilled. Buzz Lightyear and Woody. He quit the pool right then and there and demanded to go into the house to play with his new toys.


But not before he got to take a ride in his Uncle's "Gator." Best. Day. Ever.

July 4 Happenings

Sam participated in the Durham bike parade and a neighbor's cookout to celebrate the 4th.

Swim Lessons Round Two

When we last left Sam, he had just finished with his first round of Pike/Eel swim lessons and had been invited to return to the Pike/Eel classes for a second round. I signed up for two sessions -- June and July  -- at our neighborhood pool, which also happens to be a YMCA pool. To say Sam has come a long way since March is really an understatement.

Then:

A little worried. (Although not as worried as that kid beside him.)

Now:

Look at that smiling face on the first day! It's obvious he is so much more comfortable in the water now than he was even three months ago. A couple of things have contributed to his excitement about swim lessons this summer. First, his swim instructor is named Sam, so he's cool. Second, his BFF James is in the class with him (to Sam's left in this photo).


Kicking away.


Playing "Starfish."


The Sams.


You see little Sam, with the blue noodle, just behind the girl with the pink noodle? He had just swum - BY HIMSELF - from the far end of the pool. And he was headed for the other end (where he eventually landed safely). And, get this, HE WASN'T LAST. He was, at risk of bragging, almost first. His teacher Sam is an enthusiastic young man, and as the kids were swimming he was yelling, "Who wants it? Who wants it?" And Sam answered back, "I do!!" Note to self: teach Sam the meaning of a rhetorical question.

(In case you were concerned, despite the menacing clouds, no children were struck by lightning during the course of this swim lesson.)

Beach Trip 2013 - Emerald Isle

Before.


Colter enjoys the Sound view.


Sam had fun in the sand but refused to go into the ocean.










S'mores night. Plenty of chocolate, pointy sticks and matches within hands reach.








Sam's favorite part about the aquarium was watching the divers.


And talking to the divers.


And following the divers.






Vanilla with rainbow sprinkles.


Beaufort, N.C.


Sam's first kayak trip.





Other firsts for Sam this trip included: flying a kite and watching a full-length movie (Finding Nemo). He actually wouldn't hold the kite string because I had (in a moment of bad judgment) just read him the Curious George story about how he flew away with a kite. Sam also spent much of the movie hiding around the corner while I told him what was going on and when it was safe to look. We should be a fun pair at the local movie theater.

Father's Day 2013

Last year I interviewed Sam for an "About My Dad" profile, to celebrate Father's Day. Well, we're back for this year's installment! And the hijinks continue. You have to crank the volume to hear Sam, and then my voice is gratingly loud, but it's worth it (well, you be the judge of that). If you can hang in there till the end, Sam really does end it on a sweet note.


Sam makes a reference to "Mr. Joe," which is really a reference to Dr. Joe, a pediatrician. Sam and his dad have a bit of a running joke in which poor Dr. Joe has, unwittingly, become a central character. Every time Sam hurts himself, Bruce pretends to call Dr. Joe to come immediately and cut off whatever it is that is ailing Sam. I personally find the humor a little untoward. But apparently Sam loves it. And that's what Dads are for, right? For all that Dad stuff -- your bad jokes and roughhousing and burps, etc. -- Bruce, I salute you.

And to quote Sam from the video, "Daddy, I love you! Happy Father's Day!"