An Afternoon At the Beach

Yesterday Jill, Hayden, Talan, Jessica, Mom and Dad all came out to our side of the state for a few days. Yesterday we hung out at the house and we cooked out, then celebrated Dad's, mine, and Don's birthdays.

This morning we woke up and it was chilly and cloudy out. Everyone was hoping to go over to Grand Haven and play on the beach for awhile, but it didn't look promising. Luckily, mom contacted a friend who lives out there, and she said it was sunny and beautiful there, so we packed up and headed out. So glad we did, because it ended up being a gorgeous day and so much fun. Hayden was in the water before we even got halfway down the beach and swam around like a fish most of the time. Jill was the only "adult" brave enough to get in (the water was about 71 degrees). The kids had so much fun in the water and sand and we had a great time taking tons of photos as usual:

Hayden, Rainah, and Talan

Talan wasn't too sure about the water...

but he had fun anyway, running around doing "skateboard tricks"

Rainah had to show us how she could put her head under, too... maybe just a little too close to shore!

Talan Cash

These two are nothing but trouble when they get together!

Jill was able to get some of her frustration out on Hayden today, without him really even knowing it

Aunt Jessica and Talan

Talan's "Baywatch" pose

Water Fun

On Wednesday, Rainah started her second session of "Tiny Tot" swimming lessons. I figured since she just screamed through the first 3 lessons, we should re-take it. She was AMAZING! There were only 3 little ones in this class; the other 2 screamed the whole time. I kept telling the moms that Rainah did the exact same thing just 6 weeks ago. Rainah had fun splashing, and even stuck her face right in to blow her bubbles. She let the teacher take her several times to use her as an example of how to do certain skills. I couldn't believe it. So this should be a fun class!
It was a pretty hot and stuffy few weeks, so I set up her little pool in the front yard. I think she had more fun putting toys in, then taking them out over and over... and over...
But she did put her face in and blow bubbles.

Swimming Lesson

We recently signed Rainah up for swimming lessons. I love the water. And I'd like Rainah to be safe and comfortable in it, too. It's hard to find places who give lessons to such a young age, but we found an athletic club not too far from us who start at 5 months.
In a few previous posts, I mentioned that she was NOT enjoying it. The last time she was in a pool was last August when we were on vacation in Sedona, and she was fine with it then.
Our first lesson she cried the whole time. The teacher said it was normal and to just keep acting like it was lots of fun so she knew it was ok. I have never felt her hold on so tight to me. Arms around my neck and legs wrapped around my waist. It was kind of funny.
The second week, when we walked in the front door of the club she started crying and clinging to me. She did a LITTLE bit better, but still cried most of the time. The teacher said that a lot of times it takes little ones about 3 weeks to get over their fears and each week gets better.
So little by little, each week got better. (We did miss one class when we were in Colorado.).
Last week was great. She didn't cry at all. She still seemed a bit leary, but was definately feeling more comfortable.
Today... the last class of this session... I step onto the first step... no tears. As soon as we were all the way in the water, she flipped herself onto her back and wanted to be on her back (I was still supporting her). The teacher looked at me and asked where my daughter had gone. I put her on her stomach and she started kicking and moving her arms all around in the water. The whole class went like this. She had a great time.
I rushed home and signed up for the next session. :)
Of course I couldn't get many pictures since I'm in the water with her the whole time, but I did get a few at the beginning and the end... and the teacher even took a few: