The First Of Many
Tags:
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."
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
95 comments
Ali! I love you! I had been contemplating just letting Delaynee's day care provider take her to her first swim lesson in a few weeks. You convinced me--I just sent in my time off request for that morning. Can't miss these firsts--we don't get them back! Thanks for reminding me of that this morning before I missed it.
Replies
Miss you - I'm so glad I went :).
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My daughter, who just a few days older than Anna, is starting swimming lessons this summer too. Is Anna a big Max & Ruby fan? Keira is as well. She does a lot of relating between real life and what she sees on M&R. I'm hoping Keira likes her lessons too, she loves the water.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali, this reminds me of a quote by goethe that a new friend and very wise woman posted on her blog recently: "Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least." Your work is important, but Chris, Simon, and Anna feed your soul. Keep pedaling! Oh, and nice jacket!
Sarah
Replies
Gotta love Goethe. So happy to have met you -
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Precious! This reminded me of my own very old Schwinn bike and all the miles I logged with my son in the baby seat on the back, starting when he was only 6 months old. He loved it so very much! (He's now 32 years old, 6'2", and a Special Forces Captain in the U.S. Army as well as a triathlete.) Thanks for the push down memory lane.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
this post makes me happy! i just love all of her questions:)
btw...did you find you find your keys? i'm notorious for misplacing mine;)
Replies
ha! i've left mine in the freezer before!
Yep - they were on top of the car from when we came home the evening before. Hanging out there with the mail.
Sign in or sign up to reply.
So awesome... I have been looking into options for getting my little one into lessons this year - our local pool only just opened this week. She is such a water babe that I feel it would be a crime not to have her in lessons.
Chatter at that age is so cool, isn't it? One of the many things I am including in PL are snippets of funny things she says.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Wonderful story about everyday life. I love how you captured her talking to you on the way home; I really need to start doing that with my chatty 2 yr old son. Thank you!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I love the image of not being able to find your car keys and grabbing you r bike instead. It sounds like a scene from a tv or movie.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Oh Ali- where did your baby go?
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali, your post makes me want to have kids!!!
Replies
It's really, really awesome :).
Sign in or sign up to reply.
ALI,
Thanks for sharing this it reminds me of swim lessons for the kiddo's who all are not spawned fins!!! One new 21 month old getting ready to go for lessons...thanks for refreshing some fond memories and good journaling stories....you are the best!
Hugs
sharon
Sharon
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
OH how I miss my kiddo's being little. She is simply adorable...AND I love her little "sass". Does Simon like to swim to?? And I love your blog...Happy Thursday! :)
Replies
He does - he loves it.
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Awwe you rock Mama.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Love love love it all. You are a rockstar Mama.
Now what's the scoop kid bike seat. I have visions of me and the Bean going for rides. ;)
Replies
You need it - it's awesome. I'll have to check the brand - I just got whatever it was they had in stock at our local bike shop.
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hope you found your keys!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
i love this story- every bit of it.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Such a special 'everyday' day....remembering my first swimming lesson with my daughter...26 years ago...:)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Oh Anna! love the story and the pictures. She's so tiny and sweet.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Her little chatter on the way home totally melts my heart. Awesome post. I wish I had been more like you when my daughter was little. I know there is SO much I missed for being the work-a-holic mother that I have been. Thanks for the inspiration. You are making me feel better about taking a vacation next week! Yes, the work-a-holic in me was already feeling guilty about taking a whole week off from work, LOL. :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
How fun! Good job for taking the time to be there. You won't ever be sorry that you missed some work to be there for another First. :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.