Happy 8th Birthday Frost! Part 1 - The Pool

Among Frost's birthday gifts was an underwater camera from Granny. Frost put this to good use at the pool we went to with his friends. I wish they had taken more underwater in the outdoor pool as they are among the best. Inside, it was a bit dark and so most of our pictures are very watery and very blurry.

Still, I think you can see the potential!

Frost underwater (I left his goggles so he can't see)

Meanwhile, Wren and I were playing at the inside pool. We were lucky to have a few parents stay with us by plan or misadventure. Thanks Laurie and Fred! Wren is increasingly bold in the water and says he is "very brave" as he jumps in on the count of 3. He has learned to climb sideways around the side of the pool and traversed the entire length of the indoor pool in this way. He is all goosebumped and cold but still demands to stay in the pool longer.

Dylan underwater!

This picture shows the outdoor pool. We have had stunning weather this summer. Day after day it has been hot and clear so that we are all rather spoiled by it. My garden is needing a lot more water than usual but otherwise we are enjoying it.

Kapow! Even submerged Elias manages a good pose.

Its late and Josh has been practicing with the band. The house is not yet recovered from under the party debris and I have been snacking on cake this afternoon. To compensate, I met some swimming friends at Greenlake and we swam a few laps across the lake at the inlet to the North of the Boathouse. It was still and warm and a lovely way to get some mild exercise. It was also good to practice swimming in open water - surprisingly hard work staying out there! From the lake we could see boaters and Mount Rainier peeking over the homes on the East side of Greenlake. I am still feeling warm and motivated to keep swimming and running even if I don't do a Tri this year.

More on the birthday when I download the cake photos from the other camera.

Frost Progress Report for Granny

This post is mainly for Granny Anne who always asks "how is Frost's swimming?". We grew up near the Indian Ocean - a sea that is warm enough to enjoy swimming in - and had friends and family with pools in their own yards! I know that she wants to take Frost to hot and sunny places with swimming pools and to coral reefs where one must float with a snorkel so swimming is important - probably like skiing for those with snow outside their door all winter.

For the past two weeks Frost has been in the Beginner 1 class at the local private pool. The lessons are for 30 minutes with 15 minutes of "free play" before or after the session. Last time Frost did some lessons was 2 years ago and he was very reluctant at that time. This summer it is a totally different situation. He loves swimming lessons and was keen that I sign him up for another 2 week session.

I didn't mind. It gives our days a nice structure as we walk through the playground on the way home and get back in time for lunch and nap. Wren runs around the pool and has his own landmarks like "BIG CLOCK" and "TENT" (the pool plastic used to cover it overnight).

So, Mum, here is Frost's official Swimming Progress Report for BEGINNER ONE:

Frost can always do:
Crawlstroke, good form for a few strokes.
Rhythmic breathing to the side, 10 times, on the kickboard
Kick width of pool with kickboard
Beginning Standing dive in 9ft of water
Knows safety rules and assists others

Frost is working on learning these skills
Back float for 30 seconds (can only do aobut 15 seconds)
Do backstroke for 25 feet (he is dragged along for this!)
Crawlstroke with side breathing across pool. (can't get that far, starts to doggie paddle)

When I told him that I was writing a blog post about his swimming he asked me to add how he reads "very fast now". He also wanted me to tell you that he finished the second of the Wimpy Kid books. He read Rodrick Rules in 2 days and said "I think this was a really fun book. Parents of a child I think maybe would think it has a lot of naughtiness but not bad words so lots of kids will like it but some parents will have a problem with it but kids will like it a lot.... I think they will."

The Pirates came to Dahl field - By Granny

Today was Frost's 6th Birthday Party - on a Pirate theme. We all survived the onslaught, some better than others. Shannon, as captain, is exhausted with the challenges of leading the pack and is now reclining on the sofa with a new book. Frost said it was "the best birthday, EVER!" He was a little concerned last night when Shannon and I had collapsed into demented laughter as we tried to put the sticky lurid frosting on his (non-pirate) LEGO-themed cake. His comment: "Don't worry, Mum, just DO your BEST. I still think its the best cake in the whole world!" How simple life is at 6.

For party activities, Shannon created a Treasure hunt with buried treasure (a tin of gold coins - some edible). This was quite a show and involved Shannon drawing a big Map of the park, with burnt edges and cut into 4. These map pieces were tied with gold ribbon and hidden around the park. Then the "treasure' was buried in a Plant bed. Our plan came undone when some other kids found 2 of the map pieces. The 4 year old 'robber' went off with it with his Mom and after being accosted by his friends, threw the map out of the car window. The Treasure hunt then went ahead with great excitement. The climax of the party was the beating of the Pirate-head Pinata. This is not the most relaxing event for parents as the kids get hyper-excited and finally descend in a feeding frenzy on the candy. Some get none, others hoard little piles. They learn to share - sort of.

Wren took it all in his stride. Just watching the big kids is enough entertainment for him and there is always the grass to eat. He even sported a tiny pirate tattoo on his left arm. He is crawling so well now that he covers ground at some speed. Wren is such a happy baby and easily amused: except perhaps at night as he continues to shriek in protest every few hours. But each morning he emerges with Shannon with the cutest of smiles and all is forgiven, even if it is only 5am.