Uncle John the Swim Whisperer

As you know, Kaya finished swim lessons a few weeks ago.  And although she was successful, she has been afraid still to go into the pool without her swim vest on.  So we've been using that which is fine because if she gets tired then I dont worry because the swim vest is a backup.  Anyway, Uncle John is home for the 4th of July and was able to visit Friday night.  Kaya was in the pool and was suddenly MORE than happy to show him (minus the vest) everything she learned in swimming! Seriously, she had that vest off so fast it was incredible.  Uncle John must have a special type of magic because she would never do this for us.  :)
(Looks like she remembers everything she learned too - bobs, face in water with eyes open, superman, taking arm strokes, roll overs, etc). 

Water

 

We opened the pool on Sunday, and Kaya and Brandon had a fabulous time in the water! Brandon is so crazy - chadd held him very tightly while he stood on the steps, but the kid got a face full of water many times!

Also the kid is a bit of a daredevil.  here is a picture of him pulling up on the oven handle.  He actually gets his feet higher up on the glass, but we have been too afraid to get a picture of that yet!  On Tuesday, he did a chin up like this on the door handle of the fridge at school.  It's just a mini fridge so it doesn't even have a real handle, just a little indentation that is used to open the door. I think we have a climber on our hands.

Haircut for Kaya

I cut several inches off of Kaya's hair this morning (at her request - I gave her the option of going out to get it cut professionally or by Mommy and she chose Mommy) and it looks so great! Lots of compliments on it from family, friends, and school.  Not only is she super cute, but it has all these added benefits: doesn't get caught in clothes while getting dressed, doesn't get caught in car seat straps, no more tangles/knots to brush out and scream over, plus she likes it.  Too bad Baby Brother still wants to pull it!

Abigale's 5th Birthday

We went to Abigale's 5th birthday party on Saturday, and both kids had a great time.  Kaya especially loved playing dress up with Morgan in the basement.  The girls were too funny with all the stuff they put on, plus they were walking around in these plastic play heels that I bet I couldn't even walk in, given the opportunity. 

She also hurt her right wrist a little bit on the big bouncey slide.  She walked around the rest of the day calling it her "ankle" and then informed me later that she knew it was really her wrist, but that she liked saying ankle better. 

Brandon had a good time playing with Alex's toys and biting whatever he could. ha ha.

Earlier in the morning we visited the grandparents and great grandparents for lunch in Reading.  A very nice Saturday!

Giving it a shot

In October, a month after her 4th birthday, Kaya had to go to the doctor and get her 4 year old shots.  She got two shots - one in each arm.  She was so upset at the doctors office and was screaming and crying and carrying on, and at one point she stated that she "didn't want holes in her arms" and why did "they put holes in my arms".  The doctor and nurse actually had to turn away so she wouldn't see them starting to crack up, because they had never heard that one before. 

She was fine by the time we got to the car by the way. 

However she worried about shots for weeks after that.  And then at Momo's house one day, Momo was saying they would go do something, and said something to the effect "Let's give it a shot!" and Kaya was completely shocked - like "shots?!".

Update in June 2012 - Kaya informed me that she wants to go to the doctor so that she can get two shots, and get two band aids - one with scooby doo, and one with garfield.  kids are funny.

In the car with the kids

I spend alot of time in the car with these two kids, since their school is across the street from my job, which is about 45 minutes from home.  So Kaya and I do alot of talking.  Mr. B. doesn't talk yet, but he does try to speak/scream while he tries to abuse his toy squeaky book.  He's so destructive!  Another post on that topic later.

So in the car Kaya and I have some good conversations.  Lately she's been really interested in driving.  For example, a few weeks ago she told me that she knew how to drive already, but her legs just weren't long enough.  She also knows what the pedestrian crossing sign looks like, all of the traffic signals, and today was asking me about brake lights. She always wants me to speed up so that we can make it through green lights! I am pretty sure I will hire a professional when it comes time for her to get her learner's permit.

First Field Trip / Bus Ride

Kaya went on her first school field trip today.  They went to the Upper Merion Township park.  It was her first ride on a bus too.  And she got to share a seat with Ryan.  Thank goodness!!!

 These kids were only too happy to pose for pictures.  Jasper has a great smile.  I love this picture of Ryan and Kaya alone at the table having snack.  It seems like they are having a serious discussion about those blueberries!