I've just had the most wonderful day with the girls and want to remember it. We went to the (outdoor) pool this morning, even though it wasn't supposed to be warm. I swam a few laps while the girls had fun at the YMCA child care, then we set up by the kiddie pool. They splashed right into the water, even with the slightly chilly air temperature and played together and with other kids and with their water toys (now we have noodles and kick boards) so well that I found myself wishing I had brought a magazine. Really, getting to read a magazine at the pool already?! I've been holding out for the coming years when I assume I'll get to sit pool side, reading all the novels that I haven't for the past 4 years, while the kids entertain themselves.
After about an hour we went to the big pool, where the girls can "swim" on their noodles while I just keep them in arms reach. They were grinning the whole time. Then they got to jump off the side of the pool, one at a time, into my arms, and they were having so much fun that I didn't get tired of it. However, we did all get very cold eventually so we went back to the kiddie pool, which they informed me was much warmer. After a picnic lunch, a little more swimming and quick showers, we were home for naps.
Yes, they're still napping, which I am so happy about. I've been expecting the nap to go away, at least for Mae, for about a year now but it seems they've shortened their night time sleep a little and she's still napping well. In fact, I had to wake them both up after 2 hours in order to get on to the rest of our day. (If you're paying attention, and also a parent, you now understand why this was such a great day).
We biked to the closest park to meet our Monday playgroup. The girls are so fast on their balance bikes now that I have to ride a bike (instead of walking) to keep up. The uphills are still slow but they don't complain; apparently they've benefited from Grandma and Grandpa B's book about the Little Engine that Could. It's only half a mile to the park but we've even ridden to their day care a few mornings; it's 1.5 miles mostly downhill and takes a good 30 mins to ride, but it is a stellar incentive to get them dressed, breakfasted and out the door in the morning. I just find it so much fun for all of us to be cruising along on our bikes (trying not to run into each other-- the concept of a straight line appears to be lost on a 3-year old).
At the park, they rushed off to play with their friends, whether riding bikes around a rather big loop or sitting on the lower branches of a tree. I even saw Adi playing patty-cake (or bo-bo-skee-wanton-taunton) with the neighbor from next door. The playgroup seems to have bonded, with Adi and Mae watching out for the littler girls but managing to keep up with the boys, too. They were even working on pumping their swings so I wasn't tied to them even there, instead getting to gossip with the other moms.
I can safely hope that we've had a 'good bedtime' (defined as no one calling us in) since they've been quiet now for half an hour, so I can even say that all the fun of the day didn't come back to haunt me as it sometimes seems to do. Probably all the swimming and biking has really worn them out! This was just a perfect summer's day (except for Dave being on a business trip :( ) and I want to remember it, and appreciate it, since things are going to get much more complicated in 5 months!
After about an hour we went to the big pool, where the girls can "swim" on their noodles while I just keep them in arms reach. They were grinning the whole time. Then they got to jump off the side of the pool, one at a time, into my arms, and they were having so much fun that I didn't get tired of it. However, we did all get very cold eventually so we went back to the kiddie pool, which they informed me was much warmer. After a picnic lunch, a little more swimming and quick showers, we were home for naps.
Yes, they're still napping, which I am so happy about. I've been expecting the nap to go away, at least for Mae, for about a year now but it seems they've shortened their night time sleep a little and she's still napping well. In fact, I had to wake them both up after 2 hours in order to get on to the rest of our day. (If you're paying attention, and also a parent, you now understand why this was such a great day).
We biked to the closest park to meet our Monday playgroup. The girls are so fast on their balance bikes now that I have to ride a bike (instead of walking) to keep up. The uphills are still slow but they don't complain; apparently they've benefited from Grandma and Grandpa B's book about the Little Engine that Could. It's only half a mile to the park but we've even ridden to their day care a few mornings; it's 1.5 miles mostly downhill and takes a good 30 mins to ride, but it is a stellar incentive to get them dressed, breakfasted and out the door in the morning. I just find it so much fun for all of us to be cruising along on our bikes (trying not to run into each other-- the concept of a straight line appears to be lost on a 3-year old).
At the park, they rushed off to play with their friends, whether riding bikes around a rather big loop or sitting on the lower branches of a tree. I even saw Adi playing patty-cake (or bo-bo-skee-wanton-taunton) with the neighbor from next door. The playgroup seems to have bonded, with Adi and Mae watching out for the littler girls but managing to keep up with the boys, too. They were even working on pumping their swings so I wasn't tied to them even there, instead getting to gossip with the other moms.
I can safely hope that we've had a 'good bedtime' (defined as no one calling us in) since they've been quiet now for half an hour, so I can even say that all the fun of the day didn't come back to haunt me as it sometimes seems to do. Probably all the swimming and biking has really worn them out! This was just a perfect summer's day (except for Dave being on a business trip :( ) and I want to remember it, and appreciate it, since things are going to get much more complicated in 5 months!
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