Not Exactly What I Planned...But, Still a Good Day...

OK, so my Me Day didn't exactly go as planned.  Before ever leaving the driveway, yesterday morning, for my morning walk I got a text message from my mom.  She decided she wanted to go to bingo with me.

I won't lie.  At first, I was a little...urm...not really disappointed, but kinda disappointed.  Only because I had psyched up my excitement of spending an entire day by myself.  As much as I love spending time with my mom, there's usually only one subject of conversation we tend to have - and that's about her being a foster mom.  My topics are conversation are pretty non existent.  My mom sure can talk.  HA! (Love you, Mom)

Now any other time, I have absolutely no problem with her sharing her events and transitions with having new foster kids, and/or adapting to life with foster kids that have been there for a while.  It doesn't bother me a bit.  I know that she doesn't really have any one else to talk to about that stuff, and I like being the person she talks to about it.

Just not on Me Days.

It's not like my mom just invited herself to go, though.  I actually invited her last weekend, but she told me she wouldn't be able to go.  It was then, and only then, I started to prepare and get excited about my Me Day.

After a few text messages back and forth between Mom and I, I managed to offend and upset her when I told her that I had looked forward to going by myself and didn't want to hear about foster kids.

That's not exactly how I said it, but you get the point.

My intention wasn't to upset her or deter her from going.  I actually really enjoy going to bingo with my mom... it's our "thing".  But, I was going to lay the law down for this particular trip, because it was very important to me that I got to destress and unwind.  

When I finally managed to get that point across, she was on board and agreed it would be a "foster kid free day".  

I really need to think about finding my mom some kind of hobby.  Just to find her something else to talk about.  But, I absolutely love and respect the fact that my parents chose to become foster parents - and they are great at it.  It's not surprising her conversation topics are so limited, simply because she spends 24 hours a day, 7 days a week taking care of them.  Getting to play bingo with me once every couple of months are her only down times...and I'm definitely not going to be a person to take that away from her.

While my mom, bless her heart, just can't help herself... I still ended up having a great time.  The bingo games themselves sucked big time...the overall evening was an enjoyable one.  I didn't get anywhere close to winning, and my mom only got close twice.  But, we don't go just to win money... we just go for the time away from everything.  And my mom deserved a night like that just as much as I did.

Today, I do feel much better.  I feel like I got the break that I needed, and that's all that matters.

In a little while, P-Momma is coming over.  I haven't seen her in a while.  She's coming over to get Jelly  so that Jelly can spend a couple of days with her.  Jelly has been asking about it all summer break, and I told her she had to wait until summer school was over.  So, at 3:31PM on Friday afternoon (one minute after summer school was officially over), she was ready to go....and was disappointed that she had to wait a couple more days.

This morning, she's been talking my ear off because she's so excited.  Jelly absolutely adores P-Momma.  Jelly is kinda like her dad, she doesn't like being around too many people.  While she loves visiting my parent's house, there are too many kids there for her to spend too much time there without getting extremely antsy and cranky.  At P-Momma's house, there's only one child there...and it makes for a good playmate for Jelly.  

So, for the next couple of days it will just be Hubby, Butter, and me.  

Well, I better start getting ready...

Have a great Sunday!!

Jo

It Definitely Feels Like a Me Day!

                                  

I'm so excited!

And I just can't hide it!

I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!

I'm pretty sure that song will be stuck in your head all day long, now.  You're welcome.  

It's been stuck in mine since the moment I woke up this morning.  Why?  You ask.  Well, because today is my first ME day of the summer break.  One of those days that's literally just me, myself, and I.. for an ENTIRE day.  No kids.  No Hubby.  Nobody at all with me.

My day officially starts here in just a little while, after I finish writing my blog.  The first thing on my agenda is a nice, long, relaxing walk.  The weather is beautiful this morning, only being in the upper 70s... which is awesome compared to the almost 100 degree temps we've been having the past couple of days.

It's not supposed to get up in to the 80s until later this afternoon, so it's a perfect time to throw on my walking gear and go for a long, walk... by myself.

Then, I'm going to come home, take a shower, and head out to my favorite ME destination:  Bingo!

It's been a couple of months since I went and played bingo.  Even longer since I went by myself.  I usually go with my mom... but there are times when I absolutely LOVE going all alone because I can relax and just focus on me for a while.  No talking about anything.. just quiet.  Except for the noise of the hall and the caller hopefully calling my numbers.  HA!

Don't get me wrong.  I love my kids.  I love Hubby.  I love my mom.  But, there are times when I just need a break from everyone and everything.  I've spent the past two weeks teaching summer school surrounded by amazing kids all day long.  I've come home in the evenings and spent time playing with my own children in the pool.  I've sat on the patio each and every evening with Hubby listening to him talk and me sharing my activities for the day.  I've spent countless times on the phone listening to her share her day and all the crazy stuff that's happening in her house.  But, it's so nice and rewarding to have a break from all of that once in a while.  It recharges my batteries, cleanses my mind... and gets me all fired up for more fun with everyone else.

So...as much as I'd love to keep sitting here and sharing my excitement with you all...my walking clothes and music are calling my name.  Plus, the weather is starting to warn me that I better get to getting if I want to enjoy this semi-cooler morning.

Have a great Saturday!!

Jo

A Big Bang to a Bittersweet End

Oh.  My.  Goodness.  What a FANTASTIC day it was yesterday.

But, today, I'm sad.

Let's talk about the sadness first.  

Today is the last day of summer school.  While I should be jumping up and joy, hiring marching bands, and setting off fireworks in my backyard - I'm not.  I'm playing a sad song...because as much as I'm looking forward to getting back to my summer, I'm going to miss those kids so much.

These past two weeks have been AMAZING.  Go back and read the first post from my first couple of days.  It's incredible the change of heart that has taken place.  While I was counting down the minutes to the end from the first couple of hours of beginning....I have a totally new outlook on how fun summer school can be for me, and how much fun I can make it for a big ol' group of kids.

I love teaching 4th grade, I really do.  But, to have this time to teach Jr. High kids - connect with them, learn from them, build relationships...it's an experience I have needed and loved.

For the past couple of weeks, I haven't felt much like a teacher.  I've felt like a mother figure... or big sister, maybe.  Teaching those kids something has always been at the top of my priority list, but I quickly realized it didn't have to be something out of a book, or a lesson plan.  I was able to provide experience in team building, social skills, and life skills.  And, my ultimate goal was to let these kids have fun while learning in the process.

I just had no idea how much fun I would have doing it.

And now I'm at the last day.  While the kids will all be celebrating and excited, I'll be secretly hurting inside that it has to end.  Because, honestly?  I could totally keep doing it for another couple of weeks. As long as it was more of a free-teach... where I had the leeway to teach whatever my big heart so desired.

But, one thing I got to realize before it was all over was how much these kids have grown to love me... and that happened yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon was the summer school talent show.  We didn't get to have our talent show at the end of the year because of weather problems and 8th grade recognition reschedules.  Our principal thought it would be a neat idea to allow the kids to perform during summer school, being that they didn't get their chance the last day of school.

I got up and sang a couple of times during the MAP test celebration...and it wasn't exactly that great, but it let the cat out of the bag that I can sing.  The reason my performance wasn't so great back then was because of my stage fright.  It makes me very nervous to sing in front of a large group of people - and if I do, I become shaky.  Which causes my voice to become high and off key.  

Despite that, my principal thought it would be a good idea for me to sing something for the talent show... because the kids love it when the teachers get up and do something.

The past couple of weeks, I've had 2 girls in my class that can do the cup routine that goes with the song "The Cup Song" that's featured on the movie Pitch Perfect.  When I found out that my principal wanted me to try and sing something, I thought it would be perfect to sing the song while the girls did their cup routine.

Well, we practiced a little that morning... and it was to be kept a secret that I'd be singing in the talent show.  

The time came.  I started getting nervous and shaky.  There were 15 performances a head of us... and there had been a ruse set up that the talent show would end, and the then the two girls would get up and break in for a last minute entry.  Then, I would get up and join them.

The time came.  The other acts all finished up...and then the girls stood up to break in to the show.  And then I stood up.  

I can't explain the noise that then erupted from the bleachers.

I walked down, took my place, and sang.  And, you probably won't ever hear me say this... but it sounded really good.  I was hitting the notes, I was singing the words right.  Not that you would know... because the screams were so loud, you could barely hear anything I was doing...nor the girls sitting in front of me doing their cup routine.  

Luckily, someone caught it on video...so I'll let you hear it for yourself....

After I was done performing, the bleachers went crazy.  The Jr. high kids were on their feet and clapping and screaming their their little hearts out.  

Then, it was time for the voting of the winners.  My plan was not to participate in that portion.  I was just an added bonus to the show.  But, the kids weren't happy with that... and my group was asked to come down for the voting.  The voting consisted of the loudest cheers from the audience.

As each finalist received their applause from the crowd, I didn't think there was any way that we would receive a louder cheer.  There was a couple of boys from the Jr. high that performed a pretty amazing dance routine...and when they got their vote, the ground was shaking from the cheers.  

And, then, it got to us.  And I was wrong.  I thought the bleachers were going to collapse by the stomps and yells and jumping and clapping that was going on.  I expected a good reaction... but nothing like that.  

Then, we won.

The two girls received a medal..and I received a huge hug of thanks for them.  They had no plans of entering the talent show until I approached them... but they wanted to.  They were just too afraid.  I was able to not only give them the opportunity, but to also give them a platform to win the whole thing.  And, the truth is.. they were the stars of the show.  Their cup routine is amazing.  They provided the music to which I sang along with just two cups, the floor, and their hands.

I know, though, that even if I had gone up there and sucked... I probably would have still received the same reaction.  I truly felt that my cheers weren't for my performance, it was an expression of how close I've gotten with all these kids in such a short time.  It was their way of showing their appreciation for taking the time to get to know them, understand their likes and dislikes, and to make their time with me as fun as it could be.

And that's something I get to lock away in my heart of memories.  It's something to be proud of.  It's a reminder as to why I became a teacher in the first place.  Because I truly believe that a teacher that takes the kids wants in to account, earns their respect, their attention, and their hearts.

Alright, time for me to go...

Jo

Just One of Those Silly, Old Opinions...

I'll admit, I was a little hesitant about writing this post this morning.  In fact, I've already axed the idea twice...and then just decided to run with it.

If you know me at all, or at least have read my blog... you know I tend to keep my political opinions to myself.  It's an easy out.  I don't offend anyone.  I don't upset anyone.  I just avoid it like the plague - just to keep the peace.

There's a number of reasons why I tend to keep my blog "politically friendly".  

One:  I know a lot of people that read my blog - in real life.  Meaning I see them and speak to them outside of cyber world.  Keeping my opinions to myself avoids judgement of me..and avoids any awkward situations when I know darned well that someone has a different opinion of what I have to say.

Two:  The political rants and raves I often have opinions about just don't interest me enough to weigh in publicly on my blog.  I have way more interesting things to talk about than that.

But, I decided that this morning... I was going to take a leap of faith and write about what I'm feeling.  

So, let's start with a little buttering up, shall we?

I don't care how egotistical this sounds, but I am one of the most loving, accepting, caring people I know.  I just am.  

I was raised in a country where race wasn't an issue.  I went to a school where I had three white children in my class.  The rest of the class was made up of a variety of races and colors.  That was the norm.  It wasn't weird, or uncomfortable, or even an issue that was spoken about.  Nearly all of my friends were black or Indian (from India).  

I heard the "N word" used on a daily basis... but never from the lips of a white child. It was a customary greeting exchanged between my black friends.  In fact, their term of endearment... it seemed.  The white kids who were good friends with the black kids earned their own term of endearment... the same word but with a W at the beginning.  It meant white kids that hung out with black kids.

And then, when I was 12, I moved to this country.  And the cultural change was ENORMOUS.  In fact, I still saw signs hanging at store windows that read "No blacks after dark".  That was 1994.. not the 60s or the 70s.  THE NINETIES!

I couldn't believe it.  I often went home from school just in shock and awe at the racism and hate I encountered on a daily basis.  Just being from a different county caused a lot of bullying to come my way... and my skin was the same color as everyone else's at my school.

I just wasn't raised to think that way about anyone.

There was, however, one person that was really nice to me from the very first day of my entering that very different school.  He was much older than me, but took it upon himself to kinda take me under his wing...tried to offer comfort and support from the nastiness that I came in to contact with my first couple of months of being in the school.

He was an openly gay sophomore.  

And to be gay in that type of town, in that type of school district was WAY worse than what crazy differences I was bringing to the table.

And, I bet you thought I was going to start talking about the Paula Deen thing, didn't you?  HA!

I'll admit, he was my first encounter with a gay person.  My only interaction, in fact, for many years after that.  Even though I thought it was kinda weird...I learned that it wasn't something that anyone did to him.  It wasn't something he decided to be one morning while picking out his clothes for the day.  He told me it was something he'd alway been...and I was fascinated.

Even though I've never really told anyone this, he was the one that made me have the courage to stand up in front of the entire school and sing.  Knowing the taunts and teasing I'd receive...he gave me strength, hope, and realization that it didn't matter what anyone said about me - if it's what I wanted to do, I should do it.

As the years passed by, I realized that I'm the kind of person that just doesn't give a flying hoot what religion, ethnicity, race, or sexual preference someone is.  As a person that's always been a little socially unaccepted, I found refuge in others that were judged and treated differently. How on earth could I judge a person when I hated being judged so much myself?

My adult years have always led me to accept and love everyone.  Unless there was a specific reason given to me by a specific person, I never looked at someone and disliked them or judged them based on anything but the person they were... on the inside.

I know in my heart of hearts that I am the teacher I am because of that quality I have.  I tend to hone in on students that have issues...of any form...and provide them with as much love and support that I can give.  Because at the end of the day, who doesn't have some kind of issue, right?

I am blessed to have a heart that loves everyone.  Every race different to mine.  Every religion different to mine.  So, why on earth wouldn't I love someone who has a different sexual orientation than me?

Which is why, I am thrilled for the DOMA ruling that was handed down yesterday.

There, I said it.

Thrilled.  Ecstatic.  Over the moon.

Just as I was shocked and disgusted with being confronted with signs that read "No blacks after dark", I have been equally disgusted with Facebook posts and verbal comments about gay people.  

Yet, I've kept those thoughts to myself.

I don't judge a person based on their feelings.  They have the right to feel differently than me, and my feelings for that person doesn't change because of it.  It just saddens me, to the core, that acceptance of gay relationships is still so new...and still unaccepted.  But, I guess it's my generation's version of civil rights.  

I know that I will shock many people that I know with my thoughts.  Well, maybe.  If anyone really, truly knows me... they won't be surprised in the least.  They know my heart.  They know the love that I have.  They know that acceptance of all is second nature to me.  

But, I know there will be a few people that read this blog today and feel a little surprised or sadness in their hearts that I feel the way I do.  

Maybe they believe that it's against my religion to be OK with gay people getting married.  And maybe it is.

But, I also know that religion has taught me not to judge others.  There is only one who can cast judgement...and I was never handed that position.  Religion has taught me to love all beings... and I do.  I don't ever remember a lesson that said I should only love those that believe the same way I do.  

And, really, it has nothing to do with religion.

That's the sad part.

We spread the word in this country that we are the land of the free.  Freedom to practice any religion we so choose.  If that's the case, why should religion stand in the way of couples that want to get married?  Marriage is not a Christian sanction... it is recognized and practiced in all religions and by those who have no religion.  

I don't remember an issue of atheists being told they couldn't get married.  If marriage is the religious sanctity and union of a man and woman...then why on earth are atheists getting married?

But, that's neither here nor there.  

I am proud and happy that I can be someone that loves all people.  It makes me a great mother.  It makes me a great teacher.  It makes me a great person.  

Life is just too short to have any amount of hate in your heart.  Well, mine is anyway.  I want to know that when I leave this earth, I have been the best representation of myself.  That I have done everything in my power to live a happy, successful life.  And I couldn't do that knowing that there was a group of people that I couldn't love because of their beliefs or because of who they love.

And that's what I just needed to say today.

OK, I'm out...

Jo

Things I've Learned About Summer

Over the years, I've heard so many tales about stuff that fits the summer time.  Stuff like getting a good tan will prevent you from getting sunburnt...needing to shower right after swimming to stop your skin from drying out and to wash off the bacteria from the pool... stuff like that.

Then, yesterday, I get a news article from one of my local news stations about common myths from summer time - and I was fascinated.  All my life, I've believed many of these things to be true - and come to find out?  Totally not.  So, I thought I'd share them with you today... see if I was alone in believing stuff that I'd heard growing up.

12 Summer Time Myths:

1.  Peeing on a jellyfish sting is helpful.  Totally not true.  In fact, it will actually hurt the victim worse than help.  This myth came about from "Friends".. the show.  Can you believe that?  There is absolutely no health or pain benefits from peeing on someone that receives a jelly fish sting.  In fact, the only natural remedy to help with the pain is vinegar.

2.  Cold showers cool you off.  I kinda knew this one.. but still have done it to cool off.  Cold showers will cool you off while you're standing under the water, but the minute you get out... you'll probably start sweating as your body hasn't adjusted.  The shock from the cold water will just increase your body temperature when you get out...so it makes you feel even hotter and sweater than when you started.  The best way to cool off is a lukewarm shower and eating or drinking something cold.

3.  You can't get sunburned on a cloudy day.  I knew that.  Mostly from experience.  Even though it takes quite a bit of sun for me to get burned... I've received a nice tan from being outside on a cloudy day.  Clouds don't block the sun's UV rays.  So, if the sun's not out ladies... doesn't mean you can't still get your tan on!

4.  Drinking any fluid keeps you hydrated.  Duh.  Totally knew this one.  If you're out in the sun and drinking nothing but Pepsi or Mountain Dew - you're going to end up dehydrating yourself rather than staying hydrated.  Even those sporty drinks like GatorAde won't really help hydrate your body when it's hot and sweaty.  The best drink is... surprise, surprise... water!

5.  You burn more calories in warmer weather.  Total LIE!  Which is very disheartening to someone like me who is currently working her booty off in the sun to try and lose weight.  Your body adjusts to the heat, so regardless of the weather... you're still burning about the same number of calories.  And producing more sweat is just your body's way of cooling you down... so that's not going to help, either.  Total bummer!

6.  Longer days mess with your sleep.  To be honest, I've never heard this one.  When I'm tired, I'm tired... and I sleep.  Since teaching summer school, my behind has been asleep before it's dark outside and I've had no problems whatsoever.  If you're on a solid sleep schedule, you won't get messed up from the sun being out later than it was in the winter.  Good to know though.

7.  Air Conditioning will increase your chances of getting a summer time cold.  Do people actually think that?  Well, I guess it would be those people that think that going out with wet hair will make you sick.  Being out in the heat and coming in to the AC won't increase your chances of getting sick anymore than blow drying those locks before taking a foot outside in the freezing cold.  Sickness comes from bacteria and germs.  Period.  Air conditioned air and wet hair don't increase the amounts of bacteria and germs... so you're safe to be around both.

8.  Salt water can heal a cut.  I did hear this once when I was at the beach.  Being in the salt water will help any cuts you have on your body.  While clean salt water can help clean out cuts and scrapes - the ocean is a cesspool of germs and bacteria.  That's the last place you want to dip in to if you have an open wound.  

9.  Butter eases sunburn.  That has to be a southern thing, right?  I mean, I'm not sure if anyone knows what happens to butter when you put it in a hot skillet - but I know that it sizzles and starts to burn.  Not the affect I want to get on my sunburn!  Unless you plan on frying an egg or making pancakes on that sunburnt back of yours... don't use butter!

10.  Poison Ivy is contagious.  And to think, all those times I've ran from students and people who walk around with poison ivy rashes.  For no reason whatsoever.  You can only get poison ivy from the resin off the plant.  If someone still has it on their clothes or skin you can get the rash, but if it's not... there's no danger being around the rash and/or blisters.  Good to know.  Hopefully I won't offend anymore people by screaming like a mad woman if I see the faintest hint of poison ivy.  

11. Getting a base tan prevents sunburn.  I couldn't believe this one was a myth.  My whole life I've believed that once I've got my first tan of the summer.. I was good to go for the rest of the time.  Which I unfortunately learned the hard way yesterday.  I've had a pretty nice tan going for a couple of weeks, now.  My shoulders, arms, and face are beautifully bronzed.  I thought I was good to go with just adding on to my browness.  That was until I got home yesterday and saw redness on my shoulders, neck, and forehead.  Totally sucks!

12. You should shower soon after swimming in a pool to remove bacteria and prevent skin dryness.  This one I've heard since basically growing up, because I've spent most of my life around a pool.  I remember often pleading with my mother to let me hold off on my shower because I just swam in the pool.  She would quickly retort that swimming is not a replacement for a shower...and I'm still dirty.  Pools are supposed to have high chlorine levels in order to kill bacteria.  That is the job of the chlorine.  That's why there is chlorine added to drinking water.  And while chlorinated water isn't the best treatment for your skin, it can help with issues such as acne and oily skin.  While I don't intend on using my pool as my new bath tub, I'm not going to feel so inclined to jump in the shower within minutes of getting out of the pool.  I can also attest to the fact that my usually oily face hasn't been glistening so much since swimming every day.  It's actually looking much better than it has in a very long time.  Now, I'm not preaching that if you're a daily swimmer that you can ditch your nightly shower... but I am saying that waiting until morning to shower isn't going to kill you, either.

And there you have it.  Twelve summer time myths.  Fun, right?

Now it's time for me to go to work.

Jo

Solving World Hunger

Yesterday morning, I made it to work and saw that the Jr. High teacher I took over for on Friday had made it back to work.  I'll admit, I was a little sad.  Not that he was back, but that I wasn't going to get to teach Jr. High all day long.

But, I wondered how much he'd be able to do with them being that he was walking around on crutches - so I asked him if he wanted to switch with me.  He could take my elementary kids and I would take Jr. High.

He was a little hesitant, but finally agreed to let me have them.

All weekend, I'd been thinking about what I'd do with the kids if I had to take over for the last week.  I didn't have the supplies to perform experiments or do any kind of scientific study.  Then, Sunday night while trying to go to sleep, I got a flash of an idea that popped in to my head.  I didn't know if it would work... but I thought I would run with it yesterday and see what happened.

In science, before I came along, the kids had been working in an outdoor classroom planting vegetables, learning about planting, soil needs, harvest seasons, etc.  I also know that the kids enjoy competition just as much as I do.

So, I created a game.  It's kinda like a strategic Farmville game.

Each class is a different country competing against each other.  They start the "game" with $5 million and 400 acres.  That's it.  Each country has to elect a President, and then the President creates committees that will be in charge of certain positions (farming, livestock, transportation, harvesting, selling, etc.) 

The object of the game is to be the most lucrative and successful country at the end of the week.  Having the most money and assets.

During this game, I play Queen Mother Earth.  The countries buy from me, they sell to me, and I control all aspects of the game.  Meaning, weather, trade prices, etc.  I can send tornadoes that and hurricanes that wipe out modes of transportation.  I can cast a drought that dries up and kills crops.  I can also send the right weather combination that boosts "super crops".  I can also manipulate and negotiate prices for when they are ready to sell their wares.  All of their supplies come from me.. seeds, animals, transportation, etc.  I gave them a price sheet to start with, and they determine the best way to get off the ground.  Once they start "farming", they can choose to use the crops to sell as they are or make them in to something else.  For example, I heard once class talk about growing corn and wheat and animals so that they can sell foods such as tamales, bread, pies, etc.

The ultimate idea came from a video I watched about a group of kids that worked together to solve the crisis of world hunger.  They were given similar starting tools, and they were to use the land and the money to raise food for third world countries.  

The lessons imbedded in to the games are endless.  While the kids feel like they are just playing a game in order to win...they are also working together as a whole unit, using science, math, social studies, etc.  

When I first explained the game to each class, I was met with some disgruntled groans.  They were expecting to have fun, and didn't expect to actually have to work.  Even when I told them the strategy and the idea of competing against classes, they weren't exactly thrilled.  But, once the President was chosen and he/she started making committees and planning their strategies - I couldn't get them to stop once our time was over.  Every single class asked for "one more minute" so that they could write down just one more thing they needed to take care of when the class met again.

Later that day, at recess, I heard kids asking other kids who the President was in their classes...what types of committees were being formed...basically excited and interested in what was going on.  I also saw a little spying and game play going on.  The kids wanted to know what was going on in other classes so that they could be in the loop for what they were up against.  

All in all...I think that science this week isn't going to be so bad.  When I do something like this, however, I am again sad that I didn't teach the whole summer.  A game like this one could have been awesome having the entire four weeks to play.  I could have brought in the strategy of war, national debt, famine, etc.  But, it's a learning experience.  I know, now.

And I'd much rather walk away wishing that I had taught all 4 weeks than walk away regretting that I had taught at all.

Happy Tuesday!

Jo

Learning to Swim

I have be pretty quick today, because I have to leave for work in about 20 minutes.  I can do this, right?

OK.

So, yesterday was a very proud day for me.  My youngest, Jelly, is a water baby.  In fact, all of my kids are.  Peanut and Butter have taught themselves to swim after spending every summer in my parent's pool.  It's just something they did over time.  No lessons.  No real support from me.  They did it all by themselves, eventually.

Jelly, on the other hand, isn't OK with just waiting until it happens.  She wants to swim right now.  Which she does, with the aid of her life vest.  8 feet of water depth doesn't intimidate her at all, as long as she's wearing her floaty.

Yesterday, she told me that she wanted me to teach her how to swim.  She's ready to ditch the floaty and be able to swim around the deep end of the pool all by herself.  And also jump off the diving board... *gulp!*

For thirty minutes, I worked with her on trying to float and using her legs and arms to keep her above water.  She was nervous.  The minute my hand dropped from her, her legs went down to stand up.  Now, Jelly isn't afraid of going under water.  In fact, she does it way too often for my liking.  She's constantly jumping off the steps in to the pool and goes completely under... but, again, with her floaty.

She realized how different it was not having the floaty to depend on.  It made her nervous.  She realized it was going to take some time and swimming was a lot harder than she thought.  So, she asked if she could use the swimming goggles to help with the water that was splashing in her eyes and up her nose.  

And then something weird happened.  She put on the goggles and turned in to a freakin' fish!  I kid you not.  The minute those goggles were on her face, she kicked off from the side, went straight under water and swam from one side of the pool to the other.  SWAM.  Not floated.  Not walked.  SWAM!

She looked like a little frog..moving her arms and legs perfectly to maneuver her way through the water.

The minute she took the goggles off, she turned back in to the splashing, nervous, too afraid to really let go girl that just couldn't move her feet and arms together to stay on the surface of the water.

Goggles back on, and off she went...swimming through the water like she'd been doing it for years.

She asked me to buy "one of those sticks that stick out of the water that lets her breath under water".  I'm assuming she means a snorkel.  She thinks, and I concur, that it will help her swim a little easier on the surface.  

Crazy, isn't it?  Most kids have to learn to swim before they attempt taking it under water.  But, not my Jelly.  There has to be some kind of fish or frog genes in Hubby or my system... because she's not going to do it the ordinary way.  She's quite comfortable swimming like a fish...just not so sure about swimming like a human.

So, that's my quick tale for today.

Now, it's time to get to work...

Jo