Addy's Big Week

The first week in August was a VERY big week for Adalyn as she achieved a several notable accomplishments that we MUST document.  This  week was her second full week of swimming lessons.  Addy missed two days of the first week due to having a cold and fever, so she was ready to get back into the pool during the second week.  Addy absolutely loved going to lessons and gained so much more confidence in the water.  Miss Logan was a fabulous instructor and I was amazed at the things she got Addy to do in the water.  I must admit I was very nervous when she had Addy hanging on the side of the pool on her own on the first day of lessons.  Yes, I may have been that mother hovering at the side of the pool wincing every time Addy dunked her head underwater.  I know, I know...talk about a paranoid mom!  Eventually I did manage to move over to the lounge chairs to watch from a more acceptable distance.  Throughout the two weeks of lessons Addy learned how to bob her head under water multiple times in a row, push of the wall with her feet, blow bubbles, float on her front and back with support, and float and move in the water using a noodle.  She was promoted to level 2, which we were all excited about!

Our little water bug

Not digging having water in the face after ten head bobs

Addy loved having Miss Logan as a teacher!

We love noodles!

Learning to push off the wall

Addy's biggest feat in the pool happened on Wednesday when she jumped off the diving board.  Yes, it's true--my little girl JUMPED off the diving board.  I hadn't read the posted schedule to know that it was diving board day, so the fact they were indeed jumping off the diving board was a shock to both Addy and myself.  I'm not going to lie; when I heard that my little girl was going to get the chance to do a dive, I got a little nervous!  Addy was the first in her group of three to dive and she didn't hesitate.  I wish she would have hesitated just a bit, because I was trying hold Carter to keep him from diving in the pool and managed only one picture of her standing on the board and no video.  I was disappointed that I wasn't more prepared, but I'm sure there will be more dives off the diving board in our future and you can bet that I'll be ready!  We are so proud of our little girl for conquering her fears of the water and for giving swimming lessons her best effort.  We are already looking forward to the winter session of lessons!

The BIG DIVE

The next big feat for Addy this week happened on the track.  For several weeks Addy has been obsessed with trophies.  She kept mentioning that she wanted to play another sport so she could win a trophy.  We had no idea where this obsession came from.  We hadn't talked about trophies and were surprised that she even understood what they were and why people have them.  We tried to emphasized to her that you play sports for the experience and fun, not for the trophies.  Needless to say her obsession with them continued. 

Closing in on the finish line

Well, it just so happened that Friday night was the final Run for Fun at Bloomington High School.  We had done several of the runs this summer and Addy received a ribbon at each of them.  At the last Fun Run of the season every runner gets their very own trophy.  So, Carter and Addy both ran (well Carter was mostly carried) in their age division and earned their very own trophy.  I ran with Carter and it was Derek's night to run with Adalyn.  I must say that Derek and Addy beat set a new personal best time for Addy of 3 minutes.  Addy ran the entire lap without asking to stop and even had enough left for a strong kick at the end.  She improved so much from her very first race and we are proud of her for her efforts and helping her Dad achieve his personal best in the 400 meter dash!



Receiving her first trophy



Carter clearly values his sippy more than his trophy!

Raising her trophy in victory

Needless to say, this was a very big week for Addy. She had a great time, accomplished a few goals, conquered a few fears, and has a trophy and many great memories to show for it. A summer week can't get any sweeter than that:)