Water balloons

I just couldn't fill the balloons up fast enough. Then I found that he was using them to fill up this tub. His personal swimming pool!

Port A. Swim meet

Ella had her second ever swim meet today. The meet was out in Port Aransas.

They had Ella swim a 25 breast stroke (I didn't know she knew how to do the breast stroke!). She was bummed because she was last, but she was swimming against 8 year olds!

Good job my little fish.

Man-O-War

   On Monday we decided to spend the day at the beach.  We had originally planned on camping at the beach, but (thankfully-and you will see why in a moment) chose to stay into the evening, but head home to sleep.

We drove out to Padre Island and kept going until we could go no farther without 4WD.  This landed us in the National Wildlife preserve. 

Ella loved using the boogie board and riding the waves.  Eli overcame his fear of the waves and had fun riding waves in his tube.  Rhys was in heaven.

 

 We didn't camp, but we did have a fire and roasted some hot dogs. 

 While we played on the beach I found this:  (can you tell what it is?)

Here is a closer look:  (do you know yet?)

 

YES!  It is a Portuguese Man of War.  !!!

After taking pictures of this very evil Jelly Fish, Chris shoveled it into one of our buckets and moved it away from our "camp".  We promptly forgot about it with the intention of getting rid of it when we left.  

Want to know what happens when you forget that you have a Man of War in your child's sand pail?

This:

Sigh.  It was so sad.  Rhys found the bucket and decided to touch the @#$% Jelly.  My back was turned.  I heard him scream.  I ran to him.  Chris had me soak his hands in the salt water, but mostly I held him as he clung to me and cried. 

And you know what I learned?  The nematocysts can transfer from person to person!  That's right folks, my son stung me on the left shoulder when he hugged me.  And OH BABY it hurt!  A sting from a Man-o-war is not like a bee sting.  It's more like an intense, penetrating, deep muscular ache like you've been attacked by a 2x4 on the spot where you just had a tetanus shot. 

That is when we decided to go home.  =)

 But let's not close this blog on a sad note...

we had a ton of fun at the beach.

We are Aquacats

 Ella is an Aquacat.  Translation:  Ella is on the Portland swim team.

She has been practicing with the team for two weeks now and LOVES it.   We bike to the pool every morning (Tues-Fri) and recently Ella has started running around the half mile track once or twice with her friends before practice begins.  I see a triathlon in her future...

Today was her first meet.  Ever.

She was really excited-until we arrived at the pool, then she was scared stiff.  No, really, scared stiff.  She stood still and I had to push her forward toward the pool where her team was warming up.  We talked about the whole no pressure thing.  We talked about going home.  We talked about just cheering on her team and not competing.  But she was determined to swim; she just wouldn't get into the water.

Then her friend Addie came over and we talked Ella into getting into the water and racing Addie just like in practice.  Thankfully she was willing to get into the water, because as soon as she did she felt better. 

 Here is Ella holding the cards for her events:

When it was Ella's turn to go to the waiting bench she asked me how many races she had to do.  Trying to be a good mom I told her she didn't HAVE to do any of them.  She said that she didn't want to do any.  So then I changed my mind and told her she had to do at least one.  She was willing to do the one and walked willingly over to the waiting bench.  (phew)

Ella's first event was the 25 meter back stroke.  I think this was a perfect way to start her racing career because she didn't have to dive in (for the backstroke you start in the water).  I was afraid that if she had to dive in she would have frozen on the block and missed the race.

Ella is in the lane farthest away:

 When her first event was over she was a changed little girl.  All of a sudden swim meets were her most favorite thing and she was excited for her next race.  I am very grateful to her friend Addie who encouraged her and praised her.  (Addie is a year younger than Ella, but has been on a swim team all winter and is a veteran racer.  Her calm nonchalance about the race helped Ella a lot.)

Here is Ella and her friend, Addie:

Ella's next race was the 25 meter freestyle.  She loves the freestyle stroke.  She decided to "dive" off the side of the pool rather than the block and did a wonderful job swimming.  In every race she swam she was against Addie and another girl from the opposing team, the Santa Fe Manta Rays.

Ella has been practicing breathing on the side and I could see she has improved a lot.

We thought Ella was done racing after her second event, but she was called over again to swim in a 100 freestyle relay.  She was so excited to get to swim again!  She was the second swimmer and did a great job.

 There she goes...

It is always fun to watch your children grow and overcome fears and enjoy wholesome activities.  I had a lot of fun cheering Ella on today and am so proud she was willing to get in that pool. 

Columbus

Today we went to the Science and History museum. It is fun to take Ella here because she is actually interested in learning.

We went on the tour of the Columbus ship replicas that were sailed here from Spain back in 1992. I find the history of sailing fascinating.

Here are the kids plearning (playing and learning) by the Pinta and Santa Maria.

Swim time

Eli has been super excited to start his swim lessons. Especially since Ella started swim team last week.

So last night he decided to wear his new goggles to bed. (I love the cute things I find on this boy when he is sleeping. One time it was his Spiderman mask and a sword- ready to fight the bad guys in his dreams)

Here are pictures of the boys right before lessons started. (And the picture of Eli's night time goggle wearing.)

Water bed

After seeing this on pinterest I decided to give it a try. My kids loved it...for the five minutes it lasted before it started leaking. As I type this Eli is trying to fill it back up one cupful at a time. I guess I'll go try to repair it now. :)

Where's the treasure Matey?

Our activity today was to go on a pirate treasure hunt. Ella and Eli made treasure maps and we took our pirate hats and swords.

We drove in Jeeves and pretended he was our ship. Then landed at Wild Island (Hans Suter Wildlife Refuge). We fought trees and grass and other visitors-and even saw some butterflies. We enjoyed a picnic, but we were unable to find the treasure we came for (letter boxes).

So instead we got ice cream. Yum.

Commencement

Ella has graduated from kindergarten. She did not want school to end, but is now busy with swim team and is happy. Here she is with her teacher, Mrs. McVay, and the principal.