One PROUD Mama!!!

I get daily gratification from seeing my swim students swim all by themselves, but it really is nothing compared to what I felt this weekend when I watched my little boy jump off the diving board and swim himself across the pool all by himself.

We've been working on breathing all summer and in that instant he finally got it. He didn't have a swim belt or a life jacket on either He did it all by himself. I almost cried.

I am one happy Mama!!!!

School, Soccer and Swimming...OH MY!

Summer, OH summer, where have you gone? Why does it feel like only yesterday that I started my outdoor swim lessons?

I'm sad to see it go, but happy at the same time. The close of summer brings all sorts of new changes for the Callas Family!

Luke is now employed by Frederick County (YAY) and no longer has to commute to FRO RO! There are several other perks but it's definitely a change for everyone!

Aiden started preschool last Thursday and let me just say...WHAAAAA HOOOOO!! He loves it! He actually cried this morning when I went to drop him off at Miss Terri's house. He only has school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday so today he's at daycare all day. He really pitched a fit because he couldn't go to his 'big boy school'. I hope this attitude continues well into his high school years!

He also started soccer this week. It's pretty comical to watch. There are no actual games, he's just learning how to play....well sort of. His idea of learning is running in circles for an hour...and maybe kicking the ball a few times. I know hes having a great time, which makes me happy! In warm ups on Monday, the coach was having the kids stretch out and she asked them to swing their arms as if they were swimming. MY CHILD gets down on his tummy and really pretends to swim...figures having a mom for a swim teacher :)

Speaking of swimming, work is as busy as ever! I was hoping to get a vacation sometime in the near future, but looks like I'll have to wait.

Monday, Monday

I have to take a moment to sit and reflect on this day...

this slow, slow day :)

I love those days. The ones that draaaaaaaag on! They don't happen often so when they do I really have to try to appreciate them!

I spent most of my day in the office catching up on the never ending pile of paperwork. Who knew there was so much office work with running a little swim lessons company.

I did have a few lessons today and one in particular stands out in my mind. I have a little boy, about 5 years old who doesn't like to put his face in the water. He says (about 20 times in our half hour class)

"Miss Noelle, I don't want to go underground."

I can't help but chuckle to myself every time he says it.

I was able to get him to go under, not once, but many times today. Each time he brings his head out of the water he looks at me and says "that wasn't so bad".

Ah, I love what I do!

I got to come home earlier than usual today! It was supposed to be Aiden's first day of Littles soccer, however I was informed earlier in the day that it's parents only today. Aiden was sorely disappointed, as he'd been looking forward to it all day. I went to his meeting solo only to find out we were supposed to bring them after all. The paper did say PARENTS ONLY in big bold letters. Oh well!

Next week will be a hoot! What can possibly get accomplished with dozens of 3-5 year olds running round with little soccer balls?? I'm so looking forward to it!

Beep, Beep, WAVE!!

Luke does this thing that absolutely drives me crazy. When we are in the car and he sees someone walking down the road, he'll beep as we pass by and wave the other way. He's done it since the beginning days of our relationship. Now he'll randomly beep at cars, people on bikes and pedestians and wave at them as if he knows them. It's sort of embarrasing.

Today he has turned a new page in the "let's beep at random people" book. He's gotten our son involved. On our way back from Packs this evening (YUM) he got into one of his moods and started beeping at people. He went as far as to roll down Aiden's window and he had him waving at people too. I have to admin, it was pretty funny. Everytime Luke would beep the horn, Aiden would wave and say "hi" as if the other cars could hear him. It was sort of cute.

As we pulled in the drive way Aiden asked if we could go back out and beep at people. (SIGH..what has daddy done)

On another note, the Callas family had a wonderful day! Luke's been working 12 hour days for the last week and a half (he's in training right now) so we haven't had any family time. Today we took the kids to the pool, had a picnic dinner and then went for ice cream. It was so great! Even Avery went swimming today (for the first time). She LOVED it! I LOVE that she LOVED it!

AND....Aiden is putting his face in the water all by himself now. We put a swim belt on him today and he and Luke swam back and forth across the pool. Aiden was using his arms and kicking his legs....it made me so proud :)

What a good day..too bad it's almost over!

I don't want to do it with YOU mommy!

Why is it that our children learn so much better with others? Why do they listen better to others?

I had a feeling this was going to be the issue with Aiden and swimming. When we go to the pool together he just loves to be in the water. He loves the big pool and he loves to swim around but he does NOT like to listen to me when it comes time to lessons. He and a neighborhood friend, Andrew do lessons together and they are both the same exact age (well three days apart to be exact).

Meltdowns have become a regular thing during our lessons.

In the fall, I've decided that Aiden will work with one of my other girls. He's come a long way but I feel like he'll do much better with someone else.

Here are some photos of our last lesson. This one actually went very VERY well!

Funny Little Swimmer

I have a cute story about one of my adorable little swimming students. Yesterday we were going over our safety rules.

I asked him "Nate, what do you do in an emergency?" Tell a lifeguard" he replied.

"What if there isn't a lifeguard around? Who could you call?"

"Hmm, well I guess you should call the ambulance."

After discussing how to call the ambulance I asked him, "What would you tell the ambulance?"

He said, and with confidence I might add, "I'd tell them to tell the lifeguard."

I laughed out loud at that moment and giggled about it then for the remainder of the afternoon.

Kids truly do say the funniest things.

Did I mention how much I love my new career path!! Kids are the joys of our planet and I get to work with them doing something I really love, swim!!

A BUSY Life!!

Wow..it's been forever since I posted last. The days (I mean weeks) get away from me and before I know it, the summer is over. Can you believe it??? I can't. Any way, YES I have been super SUPER busy. Why you ask...well let's see....

1- I've been chasing around a one and a half year old. He's quick on his feet these days and his number one goal when ANYWHERE is to get as FAR away from mommy and daddy as FAST as he can.

2-I just started my own business....I still have tons of work to do but I will be offering private aquatics training (lessons and fitness training). I can't think of any other way to spend my days then mixing two of my favorite things...children and water!!!!! I have had so much fun doing it this summer and now that I can continue it year round...I am absolutely THRILLED!!! But like I said, it's a TON of work but so worth it.

3- I took on a part time job lifeguarding at the Valley Health Wellness & Fitness Center. I'm only working a few hours a week..but juggling that, the new business and my crazy little toddler, LIFE'S BEEN CRAZY!!!

I'm sure there are some more reasons too..but I just can't think of them right now. I'm off..to work on something ;)

PICTURES OF THE LAST THREE WEEKS TO COME....

Momma's Lil' Fishy

Luke and I took Aiden swimming this past weekend. Because he was still so small and our community pool didn't get above 70 last year, we weren't able to get him in the water that much. This was his first real experience in the water. It was a little iffy in the beginning but once he got used to the water it was on!

He kicked, and splashed and I even dunked him under a bunch too. He absolutely LOVED it, which makes me a happy momma considering how much I love the water. We're going to go as much as we can so that when it comes beach time, we'll all be ready!!!