Tonight X-man and I made a date to go to the YMCA at 8 p.m., so that he could go down the water slide one last time before our membership expires on June 13th. I would not normally have him out that late, but it's the only time the water slide is open during the week.
He had a friend over, so I ran upstairs and grabbed him a suit and a couple towels, got changed and was ready when our neighbor came to retrieve his son.
X-man threw on his flip flops and off we went.
We got there and he went into the changing room. He asked for help. I went in to help him and pulled the suit up. It was a suit I ordered from Mini Boden one day when I was feeling splurgy.
Anyway, the suit isn't baggy like all the one's at Target. It doesn't go to his knees. It goes to mid-thigh. He freaked out. "I look like a girl!"
Apparently, only girls show thigh. I explained to him that he looked fine, but he kept trying to pull the legs down, which meant that the top part of his privates were going to be exposed. I explained that once he got in the water, no one would see him.
He was too embarrassed. We ended up driving back home, getting another suit, and driving back to the Y. By the time we got into the pool after the 20 minutes of him falling apart as to weather we should go home and get another suit or stay and use the shorter one, it was 8:45 p.m. He went down the slide once, and then they randomly closed it. The schedule said the slide would be open from 8-10 p.m.
Oh well.
We played in the water a lot. It was fun. I like going swimming with him. He wore his little green band that showed that he passed his annual swim test with pride. He showed me his awesome dives into the deep end. He timed me swimming 25 yard sprints. We tried to say words under the water and understand what the other was saying.
Then, X-man looked around at 9:15 p.m., and said. "Mom, where did everyone go?"
It was just us and two guards. "Where are the grown ups?"
It's late buddy. So at 9:30 p.m., we got out and went back home. I read him Shark Vs. Train (even though he can read it himself, he still likes me to read picture books and usually chapter books at bedtime). And he was out like a light at 10 p.m., 30 minutes past his normal "summer bedtime."
And that short, Mini Boden suit for 7-8 year olds... is totally out the door.
I really didn't mean to make him uncomfortable and embarrassed. He had one just like it when he was 4 with alligators on it that he loved. But at 7, I guess, not so much.
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Learning from X-man
We joined the Y in April of 2012. I needed a pool with more than lunchtime, early morning and late night hours -- particularly one with childcare -- at the height of my restriction from using my feet for more than walking so that my peroneal tendons wouldn't rupture.
One day, X-man and I went to the pool where he was told that in order to go down the water slide, he would need to pass a swim test. He figured it would be like the one at the Aquatic Center in Urbana, where he had to be able to show he could swim across the small pool that the little kid slide dumps into. It's maybe 15' across.
But it wasn't. The Y swim test was 10 seconds of treading and the child must be able to swim about 25 yards without touching the side or bottom.
X-man tried. And he failed. And then he fell apart. He's in the middle of his third set of private swim lessons at the Y. Before that he took two sessions at CIRCE and before that he had group lessons at the Aquatic Center and at Sholem. And he always seems to stay in the same place at a level 2. Not because he has any fear of the water, but because swimming requires some sort of relaxation. You have to be able to be still to float. X-man has a hard time being still.
I'd ask him periodically and his instructor at the Y would ask him if he'd like to retake the swim test for the water slide. He'd always decline. "If I want to go down a slide, I'll just go to Urbana or Sholem."
But at a Y Night last night, they asked the kids there if they'd like to take the test. And he said, "Yes."
So when I went to pick him up, he had an orange rubber bracelet in his hands. I was so very proud of him. He swam the 25 yards and he did the 10 second tread. He told me that he was the slowest out of all the swimmers who took the test. I told him it didn't matter. It was pretty awesome.
On that same note, I had it in my brain that I was going to go to the Armory today and try running after I tried yesterday, and had a pants malfunction... (too big at the waist means almost exposing your backside to the other walkers/runners). So after my Body Pump class, I came home. But now, I'm running around doing housework and avoiding.
I'm scared. I don't want it to hurt. I'm scared of how my body is going to feel when I start. But I know I need to break down and do it. At the same time, I'd like to take a lesson learned from X-man. You'll do it -- when you're ready -- and not a moment sooner.
Until then, I'm organizing like mad.
One day, X-man and I went to the pool where he was told that in order to go down the water slide, he would need to pass a swim test. He figured it would be like the one at the Aquatic Center in Urbana, where he had to be able to show he could swim across the small pool that the little kid slide dumps into. It's maybe 15' across.
But it wasn't. The Y swim test was 10 seconds of treading and the child must be able to swim about 25 yards without touching the side or bottom.
X-man tried. And he failed. And then he fell apart. He's in the middle of his third set of private swim lessons at the Y. Before that he took two sessions at CIRCE and before that he had group lessons at the Aquatic Center and at Sholem. And he always seems to stay in the same place at a level 2. Not because he has any fear of the water, but because swimming requires some sort of relaxation. You have to be able to be still to float. X-man has a hard time being still.
I'd ask him periodically and his instructor at the Y would ask him if he'd like to retake the swim test for the water slide. He'd always decline. "If I want to go down a slide, I'll just go to Urbana or Sholem."
But at a Y Night last night, they asked the kids there if they'd like to take the test. And he said, "Yes."
So when I went to pick him up, he had an orange rubber bracelet in his hands. I was so very proud of him. He swam the 25 yards and he did the 10 second tread. He told me that he was the slowest out of all the swimmers who took the test. I told him it didn't matter. It was pretty awesome.
On that same note, I had it in my brain that I was going to go to the Armory today and try running after I tried yesterday, and had a pants malfunction... (too big at the waist means almost exposing your backside to the other walkers/runners). So after my Body Pump class, I came home. But now, I'm running around doing housework and avoiding.
I'm scared. I don't want it to hurt. I'm scared of how my body is going to feel when I start. But I know I need to break down and do it. At the same time, I'd like to take a lesson learned from X-man. You'll do it -- when you're ready -- and not a moment sooner.
Until then, I'm organizing like mad.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Celebrations
I have to admit that we sat around on Saturday like three lazy-boned people. It was great. The sun was shining through my bedroom window and MacTroll and I snoozed pretty much on and off the whole day with a variety of fuzzy animals. X-man was busy playing by himself for a while, and then MacTroll went and played the Wii U with him. In the afternoon his friends from down the street came over and played for a couple of hours, too.
Today, was a bit different. It was miserable outside. We were still kind of lazy (in bed until 9:30 a.m.) but then we watched "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." We finished the book a couple of weeks ago, and X-man wanted to see the movie. We did have to fast-forward through the end fight, but other than that, he did pretty well. What was great was that throughout the movie, he was pointing out things that were different from the book. It was amazing not only how much he comprehends, but how much he can recall from finishing the books two weeks ago.
He also started his private swim lessons with Ms. Ellen at the Y again. He finished them last July, and due to my surgery, wasn't able to start them up again. So, he had six, 30-minute sessions. Today's were on Sunday but the next five will be on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. For the first time ever, though, he was able to swim from the deep end of the lap lanes in the family pool to the shallow end. It was 25 yards. It was all face-in-the-water doggy paddle. But it worked. Ms. Ellen was impressed, because all last summer he was scared to go too far. He was thinking about it too much.
While he was at his lesson, I took roughly 14 minutes and went up to the track and walked/ran a full mile. It's the first running I have done since March 2012. It was a big deal. It felt weird, but there was no pain. Afterward, when I dropped X-man off at Skateland to go play laser tag with MacTroll at 2:50 p.m., I swung by Body N Sole and picked up "The Orb." As I ran, my calf was tight. It worked, but I really had to concentrate to push off using my toes. I seem to push off on the lateral (or outer side) of my foot. This means I have a tendency to supinate. It's something I get to talk about with my doctor when I see him on Feb. 4 for my final "post-surgical" appointment.
It's possible he may want to make me custom orthotics, so that I don't lean out on the outside of my foot, which is called supination. It's easy to feel, as I'm running that I lean on my peroneals, and I don't want to risk another tear. Since 90 percent of runners pronate versus supinate... I often wonder if it would drive a podiatrist mad to try and make inserts that actually perpetuate pronation in order to prevent supination and work up muscles in a different part of the leg. I guess I'll find out!
But I did the mile. I didn't have to walk in between (i.e. I felt I could run longer and wasn't winded when the time was over. I was advised by my PT to try it out first and to go slow, and I'm a very compliant patient. I'm hoping that I'll get to do it again on Tuesday.
The only other thing we did this weekend was play an 8-hour game of Monopoly. We ended up calling it a three-way tie because it went on for so long. But we noticed that X-man was totally adding up the three die (we use the speed dice in the championship game) and adding and subtracting the money really well... into the hundreds.
I hope everyone had a restful and fun weekend, too!
Today, was a bit different. It was miserable outside. We were still kind of lazy (in bed until 9:30 a.m.) but then we watched "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." We finished the book a couple of weeks ago, and X-man wanted to see the movie. We did have to fast-forward through the end fight, but other than that, he did pretty well. What was great was that throughout the movie, he was pointing out things that were different from the book. It was amazing not only how much he comprehends, but how much he can recall from finishing the books two weeks ago.
He also started his private swim lessons with Ms. Ellen at the Y again. He finished them last July, and due to my surgery, wasn't able to start them up again. So, he had six, 30-minute sessions. Today's were on Sunday but the next five will be on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. For the first time ever, though, he was able to swim from the deep end of the lap lanes in the family pool to the shallow end. It was 25 yards. It was all face-in-the-water doggy paddle. But it worked. Ms. Ellen was impressed, because all last summer he was scared to go too far. He was thinking about it too much.
While he was at his lesson, I took roughly 14 minutes and went up to the track and walked/ran a full mile. It's the first running I have done since March 2012. It was a big deal. It felt weird, but there was no pain. Afterward, when I dropped X-man off at Skateland to go play laser tag with MacTroll at 2:50 p.m., I swung by Body N Sole and picked up "The Orb." As I ran, my calf was tight. It worked, but I really had to concentrate to push off using my toes. I seem to push off on the lateral (or outer side) of my foot. This means I have a tendency to supinate. It's something I get to talk about with my doctor when I see him on Feb. 4 for my final "post-surgical" appointment.
It's possible he may want to make me custom orthotics, so that I don't lean out on the outside of my foot, which is called supination. It's easy to feel, as I'm running that I lean on my peroneals, and I don't want to risk another tear. Since 90 percent of runners pronate versus supinate... I often wonder if it would drive a podiatrist mad to try and make inserts that actually perpetuate pronation in order to prevent supination and work up muscles in a different part of the leg. I guess I'll find out!
But I did the mile. I didn't have to walk in between (i.e. I felt I could run longer and wasn't winded when the time was over. I was advised by my PT to try it out first and to go slow, and I'm a very compliant patient. I'm hoping that I'll get to do it again on Tuesday.
The only other thing we did this weekend was play an 8-hour game of Monopoly. We ended up calling it a three-way tie because it went on for so long. But we noticed that X-man was totally adding up the three die (we use the speed dice in the championship game) and adding and subtracting the money really well... into the hundreds.
I hope everyone had a restful and fun weekend, too!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Why Swimming Should be More Like Running
Here's the deal. I don't really have permission to bike or run yet. I tested the "walking for exercise" waters on Thanksgiving and was depressed at the outcome. My usual 15:30/mile pace was up to 27:30/mile. Yes, I know I also had a dog who was excited about being walked around the prairie park and squawked at by pheasants, but seriously, it took me 50 minutes to walk less than two miles.
So, today, I finally stopped eating myself into a coma in self pity and took my lumpy bottom to the pool at the Y. I've been getting better swimming, and I haven't been over doing it.
What I've learned about swimming in the last couple of weeks is that swimmers like to get to the pool right when it opens and get their workout in early. They have the whole "stuff" down pat. They have their suits, their towels, their favorite shampoo and soap, hair products, make up, etc., all organized and ready to go. They scamper into the pool area, claim their favorite kickboards and pulleys and jump into a lane. Lap swimmers don't care about cold water. They just jump in and go. I'm okay with that. I can be hardcore.
But the etiquette of swim lanes at the Y is horribly disorganized. Now, usually when I swim it is during fitness classes, so they usually have 4-6 lanes open for lap swimmers on a weekday morning, which means most of the world is at work, except for stay at home parents, retirees, and folks who work different shifts (or are lucky enough to have some vacation/flex time at their jobs). I usually find someone who is swimming around my speed, sit down on the side of the lane opposite of the one they're using, make eye contact and either verbally ask (usually if they're doing the breast stroke) or point to the lane. The other person nods and I jump in and off I go.
But this morning on a weekend and after a fattening food-focused holiday, was ridiculous. The pool opens at noon, which I hate. Do you know how much more I would enjoy Sundays if rec centers and businesses were open at 9 a.m.?
Anyway, I got changed and limped my way into the pool to see the lifeguards moving swimmers out of lanes. They apparently didn't read the schedule that said that 4 lanes were for the swim team this morning and 4 lanes were for lap swim.
I sat down at the end of the lane and the woman in it swam near me. I asked if I could join her and her reply was, "My sister's coming. I'm sharing with her."
I explained that they were closing 4 lanes so we'd have to all buddy up, possibly have three to a lane and swim rotation. She looked -- unhappy.
So I decided not to push the issue and ended up at the end of the pool with a 12 year old thinking she was teaching a 5 year old to swim and a retiree doing the sidestroke.
And this is when I wish swimming was more like running. When I run at the track, there are posted directions on which way to go. There's a recommendation for where slow people should go versus fast people. At the armory they have two walking lanes, two jogging lanes and two running lanes. I'm usually in the outside jog lane, because I'm slow. When I swam at the ARC outside last summer, they had the same kind of idea. They had four lanes open for swimming 1 slow, two medium and one fast. I go to the slow lane. The Y totally needs to implement something like this. Because at the Y, I'd be in a medium lane.
What I like about running is that all it takes is a pair of tennis shoes, and if I'm feeling very spoiled about necessities -- my iphone with headphones. You give me those two things and I can go forever. I can go outside my house and just move my body and listen to the music. Sure, from time to time, I have to look out for cars, but the path near our house requires me to cross three streets. I can do that without losing too much momentum.
When I'm done running, I'm sweaty and spent. I'm also high as a kite. I get home, suck back some water and hit the shower.
When I'm done swimming, I'm wet and tired, but I'm also hungry. Starving. But I don't need to eat, otherwise what I burned off will have meant nothing. Because I don't burn as many calories swimming as I do running.
But when I swim, my foot doesn't hurt. The minute I stand on the concrete pool floor and walk up the steps using the bar assists, I know it's going to be a while before I run. It makes me sad. I like to swim. But I like to choose to swim. I hate being forced there. I hate the disorganization of swimming at the Y. I hate that although my heart feels like it could swim forever at my non-Olympic pace, I get bored. I hate that I often lose track in my head of what I'm swimming in my workout because I could care less. It's like I'm just doing my time until I get my feet back.
I'm a runner in water. And I wish I knew how to change things so that I loved it.
So, today, I finally stopped eating myself into a coma in self pity and took my lumpy bottom to the pool at the Y. I've been getting better swimming, and I haven't been over doing it.
What I've learned about swimming in the last couple of weeks is that swimmers like to get to the pool right when it opens and get their workout in early. They have the whole "stuff" down pat. They have their suits, their towels, their favorite shampoo and soap, hair products, make up, etc., all organized and ready to go. They scamper into the pool area, claim their favorite kickboards and pulleys and jump into a lane. Lap swimmers don't care about cold water. They just jump in and go. I'm okay with that. I can be hardcore.
But the etiquette of swim lanes at the Y is horribly disorganized. Now, usually when I swim it is during fitness classes, so they usually have 4-6 lanes open for lap swimmers on a weekday morning, which means most of the world is at work, except for stay at home parents, retirees, and folks who work different shifts (or are lucky enough to have some vacation/flex time at their jobs). I usually find someone who is swimming around my speed, sit down on the side of the lane opposite of the one they're using, make eye contact and either verbally ask (usually if they're doing the breast stroke) or point to the lane. The other person nods and I jump in and off I go.
But this morning on a weekend and after a fattening food-focused holiday, was ridiculous. The pool opens at noon, which I hate. Do you know how much more I would enjoy Sundays if rec centers and businesses were open at 9 a.m.?
Anyway, I got changed and limped my way into the pool to see the lifeguards moving swimmers out of lanes. They apparently didn't read the schedule that said that 4 lanes were for the swim team this morning and 4 lanes were for lap swim.
I sat down at the end of the lane and the woman in it swam near me. I asked if I could join her and her reply was, "My sister's coming. I'm sharing with her."
I explained that they were closing 4 lanes so we'd have to all buddy up, possibly have three to a lane and swim rotation. She looked -- unhappy.
So I decided not to push the issue and ended up at the end of the pool with a 12 year old thinking she was teaching a 5 year old to swim and a retiree doing the sidestroke.
And this is when I wish swimming was more like running. When I run at the track, there are posted directions on which way to go. There's a recommendation for where slow people should go versus fast people. At the armory they have two walking lanes, two jogging lanes and two running lanes. I'm usually in the outside jog lane, because I'm slow. When I swam at the ARC outside last summer, they had the same kind of idea. They had four lanes open for swimming 1 slow, two medium and one fast. I go to the slow lane. The Y totally needs to implement something like this. Because at the Y, I'd be in a medium lane.
What I like about running is that all it takes is a pair of tennis shoes, and if I'm feeling very spoiled about necessities -- my iphone with headphones. You give me those two things and I can go forever. I can go outside my house and just move my body and listen to the music. Sure, from time to time, I have to look out for cars, but the path near our house requires me to cross three streets. I can do that without losing too much momentum.
When I'm done running, I'm sweaty and spent. I'm also high as a kite. I get home, suck back some water and hit the shower.
When I'm done swimming, I'm wet and tired, but I'm also hungry. Starving. But I don't need to eat, otherwise what I burned off will have meant nothing. Because I don't burn as many calories swimming as I do running.
But when I swim, my foot doesn't hurt. The minute I stand on the concrete pool floor and walk up the steps using the bar assists, I know it's going to be a while before I run. It makes me sad. I like to swim. But I like to choose to swim. I hate being forced there. I hate the disorganization of swimming at the Y. I hate that although my heart feels like it could swim forever at my non-Olympic pace, I get bored. I hate that I often lose track in my head of what I'm swimming in my workout because I could care less. It's like I'm just doing my time until I get my feet back.
I'm a runner in water. And I wish I knew how to change things so that I loved it.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Warming Up to School
X-man has had a hard week at camp. Apparently Savoy is one of the few places having summer camp this last week before school starts and the place is FULL. So full, that X-man's having to fend for himself and he's having a hard time of it.
Every day I get stories about other kids who make him the bad guy and chase him. Boys who won't stop when he asks them, too. Incidents where he's got so carried away playing that he's hurt someone. Or when he tried to use his words and got so frustrated that he's pulled someone's hair. It makes me feel totally awesome when I pick him up and he's crying every single day.
We go over the plan on what he should do every day in these instances, but he is frustrated that in the heat of the moment he can't control his impulses. He's a wreck.
This morning we had headed over to Carrie Busey to check out the teacher list. X-man has the two new teachers that are going to share the first grade classroom. In all honesty, though, it took me 45 minutes to convince him that it was okay to just walk into the doors of the school to see the class lists. He was dead set against it. The idea of a new building was scaring him. Between the events at camp and the reaction to school, it made me nervous. Last year he made a couple friends but he did best with them one on one. In a group, he was always crying and had a hard time figuring out how to negotiate play, until he started crying. And then some kids would just walk away and refuse to play with him, and other would start to make fun of him to call him a cry baby. Sometimes this was because he was trying to get them to play his game, his way -- and I've done enough of that to know it's impossible because he's always changing the rules and story line on you (the six year old development book says this is very normal, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating). Other times, kids were being manipulative and telling him that he wasn't their friend any more if he didn't do something their way. And -- because he wanted to belong -- he'd go along, even if he knew it was a bad idea.
So, I'm hoping this year doesn't have 12 weeks of hell before it finally gets better -- socially. Academically he does okay. He's not the brightest but he works hard and he really likes math, but hates handwriting. He's also ferociously interested in everything science-related.
I e-mailed Mr. Scott, the principal today, because he'd mentioned when X-man started behavioral therapy with Dr. April last spring that maybe he'd like to come and check out where his room would be. I saw that there was a note sent home that said this might not happen. So, I let him know if it was too early, that I understood.
In true Mr. Scott fashion, he e-mailed right away and gave me a 4 p.m. time slot. I got X-man out of camp early and drove him over to the school. He was all tied up in knots about going in. But once he got in, he was enthralled. He was checking out all the basketball hoops in the gym, and the moveable door between the gym and the cafeteria. He saw Mrs. Kloth's art room and complimented her on all her new pictures. Mrs. Burt's room has a cool circle built into the carpeting that he found convenient.
Mr. Scott pointed out all the wireless routers in the rooms and library, and X-man went around and pointed all of the routers he could find around each of the rooms. He saw a kindergarten classroom and then he got down to the first grade and he was every so excited to meet both of his teachers, see where his backpack will hang up and meet the other first grade teachers. Each classroom has moveable walls and purple doorways that he found very fun.
He got to see the bathrooms and where Mr. Scott and Mrs. Magrini's office. And when we left, he was a pretty happy camper. So hooray.
In other news, we went to X-man's swim lesson at the Y. Ms. Ellen tried to give him a "swim test" for the water slide without him knowing it. But X-man totally figured it out. He treaded in the deep water for 10 seconds, but once she threw the duck down the lane pool for him to fetch. He refused. Even though he could swim the shorter part of the pool no problem.
They also had the Crocodile in the pool! We hadn't seen it since we toured the place before they officially opened. X-man and our neighbor Sam I Am ended up playing and climbing everywhere. We're trying two new Parents' Night Out programs this fall, because, sadly, the ones at Savoy Rec keep getting canceled due to lack of participation. So we're trying one at the tennis center in October and one in October and November at the Y. We'll see if X-man likes them. They're a little shorter than Savoy, but similar in structure.
I worked on developing a rose garden in the backyard yesterday and today. I had planted two bushes earlier in the summer before the drought next to where the peppers were supposed to be. But then crap happened with Maya and travel and I didn't get out there to care for them like I should have. So I had 4' tall weeds and 15" tall pepper plants. :-(
I transported the three out of the eight that survived and then tried to dig holes for the rose plants. The ground was too hard, so I left the sprinkler on for three hours this morning, and finally the clay was loose enough for me to dig. Then I filed the hole with topsoil.
It was a lot of work, but the bushes look good. And I promise to water them to to keep them alive.
Every day I get stories about other kids who make him the bad guy and chase him. Boys who won't stop when he asks them, too. Incidents where he's got so carried away playing that he's hurt someone. Or when he tried to use his words and got so frustrated that he's pulled someone's hair. It makes me feel totally awesome when I pick him up and he's crying every single day.
We go over the plan on what he should do every day in these instances, but he is frustrated that in the heat of the moment he can't control his impulses. He's a wreck.
This morning we had headed over to Carrie Busey to check out the teacher list. X-man has the two new teachers that are going to share the first grade classroom. In all honesty, though, it took me 45 minutes to convince him that it was okay to just walk into the doors of the school to see the class lists. He was dead set against it. The idea of a new building was scaring him. Between the events at camp and the reaction to school, it made me nervous. Last year he made a couple friends but he did best with them one on one. In a group, he was always crying and had a hard time figuring out how to negotiate play, until he started crying. And then some kids would just walk away and refuse to play with him, and other would start to make fun of him to call him a cry baby. Sometimes this was because he was trying to get them to play his game, his way -- and I've done enough of that to know it's impossible because he's always changing the rules and story line on you (the six year old development book says this is very normal, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating). Other times, kids were being manipulative and telling him that he wasn't their friend any more if he didn't do something their way. And -- because he wanted to belong -- he'd go along, even if he knew it was a bad idea.
So, I'm hoping this year doesn't have 12 weeks of hell before it finally gets better -- socially. Academically he does okay. He's not the brightest but he works hard and he really likes math, but hates handwriting. He's also ferociously interested in everything science-related.
I e-mailed Mr. Scott, the principal today, because he'd mentioned when X-man started behavioral therapy with Dr. April last spring that maybe he'd like to come and check out where his room would be. I saw that there was a note sent home that said this might not happen. So, I let him know if it was too early, that I understood.
In true Mr. Scott fashion, he e-mailed right away and gave me a 4 p.m. time slot. I got X-man out of camp early and drove him over to the school. He was all tied up in knots about going in. But once he got in, he was enthralled. He was checking out all the basketball hoops in the gym, and the moveable door between the gym and the cafeteria. He saw Mrs. Kloth's art room and complimented her on all her new pictures. Mrs. Burt's room has a cool circle built into the carpeting that he found convenient.
Mr. Scott pointed out all the wireless routers in the rooms and library, and X-man went around and pointed all of the routers he could find around each of the rooms. He saw a kindergarten classroom and then he got down to the first grade and he was every so excited to meet both of his teachers, see where his backpack will hang up and meet the other first grade teachers. Each classroom has moveable walls and purple doorways that he found very fun.
He got to see the bathrooms and where Mr. Scott and Mrs. Magrini's office. And when we left, he was a pretty happy camper. So hooray.
In other news, we went to X-man's swim lesson at the Y. Ms. Ellen tried to give him a "swim test" for the water slide without him knowing it. But X-man totally figured it out. He treaded in the deep water for 10 seconds, but once she threw the duck down the lane pool for him to fetch. He refused. Even though he could swim the shorter part of the pool no problem.
They also had the Crocodile in the pool! We hadn't seen it since we toured the place before they officially opened. X-man and our neighbor Sam I Am ended up playing and climbing everywhere. We're trying two new Parents' Night Out programs this fall, because, sadly, the ones at Savoy Rec keep getting canceled due to lack of participation. So we're trying one at the tennis center in October and one in October and November at the Y. We'll see if X-man likes them. They're a little shorter than Savoy, but similar in structure.
I worked on developing a rose garden in the backyard yesterday and today. I had planted two bushes earlier in the summer before the drought next to where the peppers were supposed to be. But then crap happened with Maya and travel and I didn't get out there to care for them like I should have. So I had 4' tall weeds and 15" tall pepper plants. :-(
I transported the three out of the eight that survived and then tried to dig holes for the rose plants. The ground was too hard, so I left the sprinkler on for three hours this morning, and finally the clay was loose enough for me to dig. Then I filed the hole with topsoil.
It was a lot of work, but the bushes look good. And I promise to water them to to keep them alive.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
We Could Use Some Hugs Around Here
This morning X-man and I drove out to Clinton Lake to meet up with Lavender Lemonade and her family. The water level was insanely low. I know I had read an article in the News-Gazette about it, but it was still weird to see the first three buoys in the swim area resting on what used to be a foot or more of water. As it was, we didn't have to really worry much about the kids going too deep. Early Bird could even walk out to the end of the swim area without it going above her waist! Our families have been going to Clinton Lake every summer since X-man was one. I tried not to focus on the fact that this might be our last beach trip with them. We had fun and our kids got along very well. It was a lovely 3 hours. Plus, LL invited me to try out her book club, which was really very nice.
When we got back home, I took a nap and X-man watched the Monopoly documentary for the third time this weekend (no lie). After I got up, I showered and we took our vegetables and a store bought cherry pie over to Banbury for a farewell to the Supers party.
In a sea of free food that was mostly covered in cheese or sugar, I managed to only eat zero point fruit and vegetable options. I went home at one point to give Maya some medicine and eat my own veggie sausage and then returned. We were there from 5-8:30 p.m.
What was really lovely, was that one of the moms there came outside and complimented X-man on how well he was playing with her almost 4 year old. I smiled. It was nice being at a party with people and not having to worry about him, because he was pretty much the oldest child there, and he is a dream with smaller children.
When we said goodbye to the Supers, Shanna made sure to remind me that they're in Danville at her parents for the next 10 days or so. So she promised to text when they were in town to see if we wanted to get together. But it didn't matter... we were walking home and as soon as we reached their fence, I started to cry. X-man, as always, was 1/2 block behind, so he didn't see, and I managed to get it under control by the time I got into the garage. But so many people whose babies grew up with my baby aren't really in my life any more. It was such an important part of my life as a mother and losing the Supers and Libbygirl at the same time has pretty much knocked me on my ass emotionally.
When we got home, I tried to give Maya some food to eat on her own. She refused, but then she started sniffing around the pet treat jar. I opened it up and took out the feline greenies and dropped one on the counter top. She jumped on it like she was starving. I tried to be tricky and sprinkle them into the wet food. No dice. I tried the dry food. No dice. But alone, she was ravenous for them. When she was done, I force fed her and made sure she was medicated for the night.
I finished the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. I fed Clawdio and Luke their wet food and let the dog in and out 14 times (she had a treat she couldn't decide if she wanted to eat or bury in X-man's sandbox).
Meanwhile, X-man chilled out watching Phineas and Ferb on Netflix. Then he went upstairs and brushed his teeth. I came upstairs and he climbed into bed. He started crying. I asked what was wrong. He said he didn't want new neighbors. He wanted the Supers to always be our neighbors, because he didn't remember what life was like without Chloe across the street. I told him that even though they weren't our neighbors any more, they would always be our friends.
He nodded. And then his face curled up and he told me he was sad because he doesn't want to die. He started asking questions about what happens when we die. He asked if he'd ever be able to live again or if he could watch what was happening in the world. We talked about reincarnation. We talked about the idea of heaven. He asked me what I thought. I told him that I thought people died and were gone but who they were lived on in the hearts of the people that loved them. He said he wanted to die and come back as a boy with dark hair and blue eyes. I asked if I'd get to be his mother again. He started sobbing and shook his head no. This made me cry.
We wiped our eyes and noses on some Kleenex and instead talked about good things, like what we like about each other. I stressed his kindness to others and his need to try to find compromise even when other children refused to listen. I complimented how smart and curious he is. He told me he liked me more than everything. That was nice to hear.
I think we both had a hard day, and really needed some sleep. It's almost midnight and I'm still up, but he fell asleep several hours ago... on MacTroll's side of the bed, with a 1-year-old dog curled up next to him.
Me, I'm sitting here with a Maya cat on my head. (She likes me to wear her like she's a big Russian fur hat.) But she's purring, and she chose to eat something on her own for the first time in two weeks, so, you know that was a big step in the right direction.
When we got back home, I took a nap and X-man watched the Monopoly documentary for the third time this weekend (no lie). After I got up, I showered and we took our vegetables and a store bought cherry pie over to Banbury for a farewell to the Supers party.
In a sea of free food that was mostly covered in cheese or sugar, I managed to only eat zero point fruit and vegetable options. I went home at one point to give Maya some medicine and eat my own veggie sausage and then returned. We were there from 5-8:30 p.m.
What was really lovely, was that one of the moms there came outside and complimented X-man on how well he was playing with her almost 4 year old. I smiled. It was nice being at a party with people and not having to worry about him, because he was pretty much the oldest child there, and he is a dream with smaller children.
When we said goodbye to the Supers, Shanna made sure to remind me that they're in Danville at her parents for the next 10 days or so. So she promised to text when they were in town to see if we wanted to get together. But it didn't matter... we were walking home and as soon as we reached their fence, I started to cry. X-man, as always, was 1/2 block behind, so he didn't see, and I managed to get it under control by the time I got into the garage. But so many people whose babies grew up with my baby aren't really in my life any more. It was such an important part of my life as a mother and losing the Supers and Libbygirl at the same time has pretty much knocked me on my ass emotionally.
When we got home, I tried to give Maya some food to eat on her own. She refused, but then she started sniffing around the pet treat jar. I opened it up and took out the feline greenies and dropped one on the counter top. She jumped on it like she was starving. I tried to be tricky and sprinkle them into the wet food. No dice. I tried the dry food. No dice. But alone, she was ravenous for them. When she was done, I force fed her and made sure she was medicated for the night.
I finished the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. I fed Clawdio and Luke their wet food and let the dog in and out 14 times (she had a treat she couldn't decide if she wanted to eat or bury in X-man's sandbox).
Meanwhile, X-man chilled out watching Phineas and Ferb on Netflix. Then he went upstairs and brushed his teeth. I came upstairs and he climbed into bed. He started crying. I asked what was wrong. He said he didn't want new neighbors. He wanted the Supers to always be our neighbors, because he didn't remember what life was like without Chloe across the street. I told him that even though they weren't our neighbors any more, they would always be our friends.
He nodded. And then his face curled up and he told me he was sad because he doesn't want to die. He started asking questions about what happens when we die. He asked if he'd ever be able to live again or if he could watch what was happening in the world. We talked about reincarnation. We talked about the idea of heaven. He asked me what I thought. I told him that I thought people died and were gone but who they were lived on in the hearts of the people that loved them. He said he wanted to die and come back as a boy with dark hair and blue eyes. I asked if I'd get to be his mother again. He started sobbing and shook his head no. This made me cry.
We wiped our eyes and noses on some Kleenex and instead talked about good things, like what we like about each other. I stressed his kindness to others and his need to try to find compromise even when other children refused to listen. I complimented how smart and curious he is. He told me he liked me more than everything. That was nice to hear.
I think we both had a hard day, and really needed some sleep. It's almost midnight and I'm still up, but he fell asleep several hours ago... on MacTroll's side of the bed, with a 1-year-old dog curled up next to him.
Me, I'm sitting here with a Maya cat on my head. (She likes me to wear her like she's a big Russian fur hat.) But she's purring, and she chose to eat something on her own for the first time in two weeks, so, you know that was a big step in the right direction.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
My Little Fish
X-man played with the Wonder Twins today at the Urbana Aquatic Center. He had a really good time swimming with them, and for the first time, I didn't have to get into the water, so I got to sit on the sides with Special K and chat. It's always so nice to see her.
The last time we were at the pool last winter, we were there with the twins, and X-man went down the water slide. His swimming skills were below the other boys and he wasn't quite as tall, so the lifeguard told him that he couldn't go down the slide any more because they were afraid that he would get hurt. He cried and he cried and he cried. And he refused to even try later in the summer at Sholem because of the experience.
Today, the boys asked X-man if he'd try to go down the slide, and he said no. As soon as the other two boys took off to the slide and went down it successfully. X-man looked at them and followed them up the stairs. He sat down and went down the slide. When he landed, he doggie paddled his way over to the side and --- he got there. He looked at the life guard, but she didn't say anything. He looked at me with a giant smile on his face and I clapped. And the rest of the time was pretty much him going up and down the slide. You know, because he can. He did it so much, the other boys wanted him to stop so they could play with him a bit while they were there. :-)
I am ever so proud of him for taking a chance. And I want to thank Mr. Matt at CRCE for instilling quite a bit of confidence in X-man since he started taking lessons there in September. We're excited to have him again (fingers crossed) when CRCE starts lessons again in February.
The last time we were at the pool last winter, we were there with the twins, and X-man went down the water slide. His swimming skills were below the other boys and he wasn't quite as tall, so the lifeguard told him that he couldn't go down the slide any more because they were afraid that he would get hurt. He cried and he cried and he cried. And he refused to even try later in the summer at Sholem because of the experience.
Today, the boys asked X-man if he'd try to go down the slide, and he said no. As soon as the other two boys took off to the slide and went down it successfully. X-man looked at them and followed them up the stairs. He sat down and went down the slide. When he landed, he doggie paddled his way over to the side and --- he got there. He looked at the life guard, but she didn't say anything. He looked at me with a giant smile on his face and I clapped. And the rest of the time was pretty much him going up and down the slide. You know, because he can. He did it so much, the other boys wanted him to stop so they could play with him a bit while they were there. :-)
I am ever so proud of him for taking a chance. And I want to thank Mr. Matt at CRCE for instilling quite a bit of confidence in X-man since he started taking lessons there in September. We're excited to have him again (fingers crossed) when CRCE starts lessons again in February.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Summer Goals
One of X-man's goals this summer was to work on his swimming. He loves the water, but our deal regarding going down water slides is that he has to learn to swim (at least 10 yards) by himself. He had five yards down when he took lessons at Urbana in November, but it wasn't consistent. So, we signed him up for two sessions of lessons at Sholem in Champaign.
Each session is 8 mornings (Monday through Thursday). We also picked up pool passes, but apparently mother nature HATES me this season, because during our first three weeks at home we made it to the pool twice not because we're lazy, but , because the other times I put it on the schedule -- it stormed. Last week the temperatures dropped to the low sixties in the morning so we had Thursday's swim lesson canceled and then it was too cold for the make up lesson on Friday, too.
This morning, it's windy and rainy with occasional thunder and only 66 degrees... and I'm going to guess swim lessons are a no go again.
Each session is 8 mornings (Monday through Thursday). We also picked up pool passes, but apparently mother nature HATES me this season, because during our first three weeks at home we made it to the pool twice not because we're lazy, but , because the other times I put it on the schedule -- it stormed. Last week the temperatures dropped to the low sixties in the morning so we had Thursday's swim lesson canceled and then it was too cold for the make up lesson on Friday, too.
This morning, it's windy and rainy with occasional thunder and only 66 degrees... and I'm going to guess swim lessons are a no go again.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Selling the Drama
I haven't run since last weekend because of my heel pain and it's totally flipping me out. I miss it. I know I've cycled at the gym and swam twice this week and done Tae Kwon Do pretty much every day, but at the same time, I'm depressed without my endorphins. I feel bloated and gawky. I'm constipated. And yet, I'm more tired than I am even on days when I used to do a long run.
It's hard to believe running could be so different than other forms of cardio, but it is for me. In addition, there's the mental damper that I SHOULDN'T do something, even though I probably could do it. I have to remember that just because you can, doesn't mean you should. So, tomorrow, I'll be heading back to the pool for another 60-minute swim sometime in the afternoon. Maybe the boys will want to come along.
I've got to get in as many meters as I can swimming before the Urbana Aquatic Center closes on May 22nd for it's annual cleaning. But I also need to take X-man and MacTroll in to get our summer pool passes on Tuesday afternoon. I might get in a few more lap swims after the Champaign Park District Pools open for the summer on the 27th. But we'll see. I just don't want to feel like a cat in water when it comes to the Sprint Triathlon I'm doing the first weekend in June. At the same time because of the rain, I've been clocking more time on the bike in the gym rather than my actual bike.
This week I need to go to the bike store and get fitted for a new helmet. I've decided that the one I have from Target circa 1998 is probably up for renewal. While I'm there I have to purchase a bike rack for the RAV-4.
In other news, I got re-certified in pediatric first aid and CPR today. Provena held a course down at the Tolono Library for $20, so I went with two of my colleagues. It was totally filled with babysitters, and I know that times have changed when a 7th grader said she was going to be looking after a 3 year old and I flinched. I know I watched after a 4 year old by myself when I was 12 and didn't think much of it. And I know most 3 year olds weren't as crazy as my kid, but I would never have felt like I was leaving him in a safe situation with a 12 year old. A mother's helper, no problem, maybe if it was a neighbor and I knew their mother was home I could go to the grocery store for an hour, but she just looked so small to me.
You know what this means, right?
I'm old.
But X-man and I did get our orange belts this morning.
It's hard to believe running could be so different than other forms of cardio, but it is for me. In addition, there's the mental damper that I SHOULDN'T do something, even though I probably could do it. I have to remember that just because you can, doesn't mean you should. So, tomorrow, I'll be heading back to the pool for another 60-minute swim sometime in the afternoon. Maybe the boys will want to come along.
I've got to get in as many meters as I can swimming before the Urbana Aquatic Center closes on May 22nd for it's annual cleaning. But I also need to take X-man and MacTroll in to get our summer pool passes on Tuesday afternoon. I might get in a few more lap swims after the Champaign Park District Pools open for the summer on the 27th. But we'll see. I just don't want to feel like a cat in water when it comes to the Sprint Triathlon I'm doing the first weekend in June. At the same time because of the rain, I've been clocking more time on the bike in the gym rather than my actual bike.
This week I need to go to the bike store and get fitted for a new helmet. I've decided that the one I have from Target circa 1998 is probably up for renewal. While I'm there I have to purchase a bike rack for the RAV-4.
In other news, I got re-certified in pediatric first aid and CPR today. Provena held a course down at the Tolono Library for $20, so I went with two of my colleagues. It was totally filled with babysitters, and I know that times have changed when a 7th grader said she was going to be looking after a 3 year old and I flinched. I know I watched after a 4 year old by myself when I was 12 and didn't think much of it. And I know most 3 year olds weren't as crazy as my kid, but I would never have felt like I was leaving him in a safe situation with a 12 year old. A mother's helper, no problem, maybe if it was a neighbor and I knew their mother was home I could go to the grocery store for an hour, but she just looked so small to me.
You know what this means, right?
I'm old.
But X-man and I did get our orange belts this morning.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Sunday
To compensate for the marital melt down yesterday, MacTroll and I were on our super good behaviors. There was hand holding, complimenting, together time with X-man. We ratcheted up the parenting level to "above Looseyfur standards."
And then I told him what he said really hurt me. He apologized, and we're going to talk about it some more when he gets back from travel next Sunday.
Today, I went to Target for sunglasses to wear to the pool with my contacts and some shampoo. I came out with those items and Flo and Ramone from Cars for my boy. He LOVED learning to say the word Ramone.
He was so excited about them, he refused to nap. So at 2:15 p.m. I gave up and took him to Sholem Aquatic Pool, where he decided he had outgrown the baby/toddler pool and wanted to explore the big kid area more. He also loved learning about what a lifeguard is and saying it over and over again. He even approached one. She smiled at him and he touched her flotation device. Today, my son also kissed two girls. A baby girl, probably around six months, who was hanging out in the Puddle. And a 4-year-old girl who was lying over the fountain area in the zero depth pool. He actually laid down, looked into her eyes, leaned forward and puckered up. It was hilarious.
At 5:15 p.m. I announced we were done and going home. X-man screamed and threw a fit all the way to the car. Once in the car, he quietly drank his juice and by the time I had reached Windsor and Mattis, he was out cold in his car seat.
I carried him inside, put him on the couch, changed him out of his suit and swim diaper and put him in a fresh one, covered him with a blanket, and the dude DIDN'T OPEN HIS EYES.
Gonna put in a movie and hope to wake him up until at least 7 p.m. But I thought you'd like a photo.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
June 1: Summer Arrives
X-man and I spent two hours playing in the backyard today. We planted some tomatoes, which involved a lot of digging in the dirt. Then he dug in the sandbox while I blew up the inflatable swimming pool. The goal was to get it up, so the sun would warm the water. X-man saw me finish it and wasted no time in climbing in and lying down (sans water) while I blew up the slide portion.
I'm one of those parents who doesn't purchase high-end swimming equipment. I spent $30 on this sucker, and it's not the best designed thing, but I didn't expect it to be. I have to figure out how to put some grip down on the steps of the plastic blow up ladder so it's easier for little toddlers to climb without slipping.
Anyway, X-man went and dragged over the hose and started demanding water, so I changed him into a swim diaper ("Nemo, Mama! Nemo!) I let him fill it up by himself. He got to decide when he had enough water (which I determined was FREEZING), but he didn't care at all.
After swimming for a while and going up and down the slide, we stopped and had some crackers and juice. I filmed our conversation over food, which I'll try to post up on X-man's web site soon. Aunt Terry and Uncle Lester came over and he got to show them the pool.
During all of this MacTroll was sneezing his way through mowing the front yard. Since I suffered through the backyard earlier in the week, we determined this was a fair course of action.
Today also marked the first day we took all the "ba-bas" away from X-man. (Ba-ba = pacifier) We had to do a few extra hugs at naptime to get him settled and ready to go down. He was in his room talking to himself for a while, but I think that's expected.
It was also my third day of Weight Watchers. First two days went great, I even avoided badness at Lightning McColin's fest of kid foods (I was the watermelon queen and the burger I had was great!) But today I made a mistake at lunch. I ate a small avocado. Not a uber large one. A tiny one. But still 1/4 of it is 2 points. So I wasted 8 points on that thing on top of my cup of spinach, which was zero points. Oh well, this is what I get for not calculating before I put things on my plate.
I'll get through. I am drinking all kinds of water, which I find awesome. Because I am the world's worst water drinker.
Someone out there with appropriate BMI drink a martini for me, okay?
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