I just randomly thought of this blog today, it's been a while since the idea of posting has crossed my mind. So much has happened in the months since my last post! There's a lot to document and catch up on....
Where to start? By the end of summer 2015, Peanut had been moved up to level 4 in swim lessons (the youngest one her teacher had ever had!) and was doing fairly well but is still working on improving her endurance/stamina and not stopping to chat with the teacher every few strokes. She is still in level 4 but really is kind of in between a level 4 and a level 5. She passes everything but the breaststroke fairly easily for level 4 (and she could pass the breaststroke if she would just swim 25 yards without chatting in the middle - she's a talker). Honestly I don't really care what level they put her in, and I told her teacher that, as long as they keep working to improve her strokes. She would be in level 5 for a while anyway, so I'm not in a hurry to get her there. In level 5 she needs to do 50 yards of each stroke except butterfly - I think that's just 25 yards in level 5. Her dive has gotten remarkably better, except that she often forgets to put her arms up in the streamline position. When reminded, though, it looks great.
At the beginning of the fall, Peanut started her second year of preschool. She really is a smart cookie. She knows all of her letters and letter sounds, although needs reminders about a few of the letter sounds occasionally. She is pretty good at single digit addition and subtraction problems, can write fairly well and has made it through reading all of the beginner BOB books. We just moved into the advancing beginner BOB series and she has made it through two stories, but I really need to order the next few sets because we will be there in no time. We usually tackle one new book a night. She is very interested in science - we built a "volcano" over Christmas break and talked about volcanoes before making it erupt. She also is fascinated by space, so we've been discussing the planets and the sun/moon. On the geography front, we've been trying to learn about the United States a little bit and distinguish the difference between road, city, state, etc. Thanks to a song from her school, she's learned the days of the week. I'd like to tackle the months and start teaching her about currency soon, too.
In gymnastics, Peanut has really come a long way. At the beginning of the fall term her teacher switched, and we are now back with Miss Lina. We love Miss Lina. She knows how to challenge the kids and push them while making things fun. Peanut is working on her back handspring (with help) on the trampoline, her beginner vault, climbing the rope (She made it 1/3 of the way up! And earned a prize - a new lego set), handstands, cartwheels, etc. She just learned how to do a bridge with one leg extended in the air - it is beautiful! She has been working very hard and the hard work is paying off - she is getting a lot stronger.
For dance class, Peanut is having a blast. They do creative movement and it really has helped her gain confidence and encourages her imagination. She has so much fun in class and always asks if it is time to return to dance.
Buggy is doing some awesome things too! In swimming, he is working on jumping in by himself and floating. He really does a good job with his scoops and his kicks, and he thinks he is swimming as he does them while moving across the bottom of the pool at the very shallow end of the zero entry (it is really cute!).
In gymnastics, Bug is doing a great job with listening and following directions - he is very independent and wants to do everything 'by myself'. He loves bars and the trampoline and pit.
For school prep, Bug has been working hard on his colors, shapes, counting, and we are now working on the alphabet and letter recognition. He still has zero interest in potty training and needs to work on his speech, so we will see if he ends up going to two years of preschool or just one.
At the end of October, we took a family trip to Disney with my parents and brother and soon to be sister-in-law and had a wonderful time. The kids had so much fun and we left completely exhausted. I will write a full post on that later, hopefully. I just need to remember!
