The First Of Many
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Anna had her first swimming lesson yesterday.
The plan was that Katie would take her (Katie's our nanny).
Because, you know, I work.
And then I was sitting here working and I looked at the clock and it said 9:50am. Her lesson started at 10am.
I said to myself, "What am I thinking? I want to be there."
So I ran downstairs and grabbed my wallet and looked for my keys in the little blue pot on the windowsill where the keys are supposed to be. Not there. Of course they're not there when I have only five minutes to make it to Anna's first swimming lesson.
So I went to the garage, pushed the button to open the door, and jumped on my bike.
I peddled, peddled, peddled my way on over there (it's not too far) and arrived just as she was getting in the water.
She was mostly smilely and a little scowly at the cold water and the clouds that were blocking the sun. She kept looking over at Katie and I, smiling her big toothy grin. She was shy with the teacher, a big guy, but was happy to take her turn off the steps to do her kicks as he guided her around the shallow end.
I bet today she'll be blowing bubbles just like those other two little boys in her group.
Towards the end she was looking over at us and saying she was cold. Right about then it was time for a field trip over to the hot tub for an end-of-class warm up.
She was mad when I finally pulled her out of the hot tub to wrap her in a towel. Katie and I looked at each other with a knowing look about this awesome, opinionated, almost two-and-a-half-year-old who is coming into her own.
She changed her attitude when we told her about seeing Mama's bike out in the parking lot.
"I want to ride." she said.
So she rode home with me in her new seat on my bike.
"Woo hoo" she yelled and then chattered on as we made our way home. "Mama, I want to tell you about Max and Ruby. Mama, my helmet is too tight. Mama, where is your house? Mama, where is Katie? Mama, I tired. Mama, I love you."
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95 comments
Awesome!!
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Love it! Go Anna!!! Keep smiling and have a fabulous week.
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awwww bless... good choice Mumma. Glad you made it in time. ;)
:'( thoughts and prayers to that family Debbie... just heart breaking.
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Thank you, Allie, for giving her lessons at this age. Sadly, a 3 year old passed away in Media, Pa over Memorial Day Weekend at a Swim Club. It apparently only takes 18 seconds for a 3 year old to drown.
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Ali I had to laugh because I work from home and have had to rely on a sitter or daycare to take my kids to an event and found myself too running out the door because on paper my approach seemed sound but when the moment came I realized, I WANT TO BE THERE, and I know that is more important that the spreadsheet I can work on later. It is tough to be a working mama sometimes but you are a great example of finding that balance.
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Awwww, I love her chatter at the end. It's the absolute sweetest. She's such a trooper, it took Nicholas years (as in, practically happened last month) to enjoy the water. He certainly wouldn't have let some big guy walk him back and forth across a pool - this much I know.
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This post warms my heart. I have a 1 year old who I can't wait to hear her talk to me like that :) <3
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Her words make me melt. My husband and I work from home together (we run a small design studio) and will soon welcome a baby boy into this world and your words make me think that everything will work out. I have no idea how taking care of business and taking care of our wee babe will roll together, but we will work it out. Somehow.
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I completely agree. As another working mom (lawyer), its really tough, but you make it work because you want to, need to, must. My little girl (same age as darling Anna) is my number one priority and some days its tough to remember/keep that in mind!! Stories like this remind me of just how awesome they are, and how fast they grow and how each and every moment is precious!! Even when you "should" be working or are just exhausted!!
Thanks Ali, for the gentle reminder. And, Johanna - you'll be awesome!! x
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I'll keep them close to my heart and will try to remember!
It will work out. It will be hard - there will be moments of time where you feel totally clueless but you will find your way and find what makes the most sense for your own family (that's the biggest thing - find what works best for you and go with it...and know that it will change from time to time).
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that's AWESOME. glad you saw it- and love her chatter.... :D
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i absolutely love this post. i have a 6 y.o. who starts private swim lessons next month and i'm so super excited. not sure who's more excited... her or me. it's an outdoor pool as well. will definitely tote my camera for this memory making experience.
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So stink'n cute! I love watching your little girl grow up just as mine is...it's great to see how so many kids have the same things to say.
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Awww, that is so super sweet Ali. I love those moments when we drop everything and give heed to something like this. For me, it seems to make me all the more observant of my surroundings when I know how I almost missed it. Thanks for sharing with us, as usual, your posts are so inspiring and fun!
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This post gave me a big happy sigh. Sometimes we just HAVE to be there. And it's so good.
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I love this so much! We're about to have our first baby in October and my husband's already talking about family bike rides (starting out with a trailer of course). Is it harder to ride with her on the back?
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I ride with a six year old boy on the back of my bike. I just have to remind him not too wiggle too much or we'll crash (so far, so good though)!
Not harder at all - more just getting used to having her there when you stop (keeping it all balanced). It's really fun - she loved it.
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Awesome story Ali! This is the type of thing you should advantage of when you work from home.
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Oh, what a funny little story - this must have been so much fun for here - Love your little conversation!
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Ok, now you're wearing a down vest?! In your retreat pictures you were wearing a full-on winter jacket (lovely color on you, btw). I'm moving to Portland, Oregon from Southern California any minute now and I'm starting to worry. I know all about the rain, but cold? In the middle of June?
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It's definitely a change from So Cal :). June is usually a mix of clouds and sun with temps in the 60's to 70's. This photo was in the morning so it's usually a little cooler and there was a bit of wind. At the coast it's usually brisk too :). But man it's beautiful.
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She is just too awesome. As are you Mama :)
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Thankyou...this post was so heartwarming..brought tears to my eyes!
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Awww. This brought tears to my eyes. Sooo sweet. My "baby" is 15 now -- I remember those days.
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Ali - This story was just too cute. I love how you thought to hop on your bike and by doing so, it became a treat for Anna. Precious.
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