Play date with Lexie

Aren't they two of the cutest little friends you've ever seen? 

We Survived! It's a Miracle!!!

We have spent the last two weeks in swim lessons. What a nightmare. We switched this year from the Washington Community Center and a mom and tot class to Dixie State College and a independent class. Casey and I had a lot of a discussion as to whether or not this was the right decision for us and for Jenna. Once she gets comfortable she's very outgoing, but at times it can take a while before she is at ease. She's definitely not one to just jump right into something. She sits back and gets the lay of the land and then on her terms she will eventually join in. She's also still very clingy and has some separation issues. For all of those reasons, we decided we should go ahead with the independent class. Heather Kearl's son, Russ, Morgan Dewey's daughter, Lexie, and Kacey Perry's daughter, Lauren, were all going to be in the class also so I thought that would help with Jenna's computability. That being said, I expected it to be difficult, I did not expect it to be so traumatic. In hind sight, I still think we may the right choice, but I know now for future events i.e. preschool to have very low expectations. 

Day one Jenna screamed the entire hour and spend most of it on my lap crying. 

Day One

Lauren Perry, ?, Lexie Dewey, and Russ Kearl

On day two, I wore my swim suit thinking maybe if I sat on the steps with her, we could ease her in. That was a giant fail. She screamed and screamed and would not let go of my neck. So I finally yanked her off my neck and left the pool area. It was awful! She was in the pool, abandoned and sobbing. I was just outside the pooling, peeking through the fence, sobbing. Nobody won. Heather finally gave her a fruit snack and bribed her into not crying. 

So on day three, I brought cinnamon bears and fruit snacks. Dropped her and the treats off and left the pool area again. It's my understanding from those allowed to stay in the pool area by their children, that she cried for a while but then calmed down fairly quickly. She spent the entire day swimming with her cinnamon bear, like a little security blanket. And then there was Jasmine. 

Meet Jasmine, our saving grace: 

 She spent the rest of the two week class doing one on one with Jenna. Though Jenna had to do everything all the other kids in the class were required to do, she just did it on her own. 

During week two, I was finally able to stay in the pool area. Once we bribed her with treats, and she found Jasmine, she was fine. I was so glad I was able to watch her, get some pictures, cheer her on, and not be isolated in the car. Hooray for progress! 

I love her sweet little friendship she has with Lexie. They were only born a month apart and they play so well together. Hallelujah! 

P.S. How cute are her little ringlets?! So fun, now that she finally has some hair. 

Play Group

For play group this week we went to a park in Washington City that has this little stream that runs through it. The kids were in heaven! Knowing they wouldn't want to get it out one they got in we did our play ground playing first. Then headed over to the stream. Heather is our of town on a little vacation with Matt for their anniversary. So Morgan had her three kids as well. Glad it's her not me. Not I don't adore the Kearl kids, or that they aren't great kids, but the sheer number of being responsible for 4 children overwhelms me. I have no idea how my mom did it. 

I was especially grateful for the stream, as Jenna had not 1, not 2, but 3 accidents while we were playing at the park. She had been doing to great with the potty training until a couple weeks ago, when all of a sudden she either couldn't make it to the party or chose not to go in the toilet. It's getting so frustrating. I feel like we can't leave the house because, inevitably she would end up peeing her pants. I really don't understand the back sliding and hope this phase ends soon. 

Play Group

The girls: Morgan Dewey, Heather Kearl, and me {Ryan Talbot not shown - taking the picture} We have been getting together every Wednesday for a play date for the kids. This week it was raining out, so instead of the park we headed to the indoor play area at Fiesta Fun. The kids had a blast, I had a hard time not thinking about the vast number of germs that had to have been on everything. So I focused on taking pictures of the little cuties. 

Jenna and Lexie Dewey

Russ Kearl and Boston Talbot

Boston Talbot

Lexie Dewey

Brinlee Kearl

Blake Talbot

Lexie and Jenna birthdays are just a month apart. 

Easter Pictures

My cute friend, Morgan Dewey and I took our little girls out to the orchard to take their Easter pictures. We set up a fake tea party for them and just let them have at it. I absolutely adore how they turned out.

The dress was mine that I wore for my two year old pictures. I love that I was able to get pictures of her wearing it as well. Here's me at her age...she has considerably more hair, can you imagine?