The First Of Many

06 | 22 | 2011

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.

First Bike Ride

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 thoughts

  1. Allison M. says…
    06/23/2011

    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.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. sabrina says…
    06/23/2011

    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!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. aliza says…
    06/23/2011

    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.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Christy says…
    06/23/2011

    Oh Ali- where did your baby go?

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Annie says…
    06/23/2011

    Ali, your post makes me want to have kids!!!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      06/23/2011

      It's really, really awesome :).

  6. Sharon Dryjanski says…
    06/23/2011

    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

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Lisa W. says…
    06/23/2011

    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! :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      06/23/2011

      He does - he loves it.

  8. madeline St onge says…
    06/23/2011

    Awwe you rock Mama.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Doris says…
    06/23/2011

    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. ;)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      06/23/2011

      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.

  10. Sandy says…
    06/23/2011

    Hope you found your keys!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jenni Hufford says…
    06/23/2011

    i love this story- every bit of it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Kathi says…
    06/23/2011

    Such a special 'everyday' day....remembering my first swimming lesson with my daughter...26 years ago...:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Amanda says…
    06/23/2011

    Oh Anna! love the story and the pictures. She's so tiny and sweet.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Maria says…
    06/23/2011

    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. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Jen says…
    06/23/2011

    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. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Tracey Caudle says…
    06/23/2011

    Glad you made it on time to see her get in to the water. What a great story to share with her when she is older, :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Allison says…
    06/23/2011

    sweet story.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Angela says…
    06/23/2011

    OMG!! Such a cute story....
    Mackenzie always {and still does} called me "Mama" and I just love it!! I am sure it fills your heart as it does mine!!
    XOXO
    A

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Jennie says…
    06/23/2011

    adorable! so glad you went.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Melissa says…
    06/23/2011

    Just. So. Sweet. Ali, my heart is filled with happiness knowing how much JOY is in your life today and every day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Holly Preslar says…
    06/23/2011

    What a truly happy story of those everyday moments that make up our life...so sweet. Now, question for you...your bike looks similar to one I'm considering...is it an Electra? And what is your local bike shop's name? I'm heading to Eugene on Saturday and looking for a new bike is on my list of to-do's...not sure what I'll do with no Ruthie-B's (darn!)...any suggestions for cool shops or scrapbook/stamp stores would also be much appreciated! Take care, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. dawn says…
    06/23/2011

    This is such a happy post made me tear up a little. She is the sweetest thing and her little chatter makes her even sweeter. So glad you decided to go at the last minute and lucky you had a bike, I'm sure you would have tried to run there if you had to, lol. Great photos proud mama

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Wendi says…
    06/23/2011

    God is sooooooo good! Lost keys can be such a blessing when things like this happen. Frustrating at the moment, but better things come because of it. So glad that you went with your heart to go watch her lesson. Neither if you will forget this day. Blessings to you and your family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. AbbyS says…
    06/23/2011

    Aww, what a great post!! Those moments are the best...So glad you got to the pool on time. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Erin K. says…
    06/23/2011

    Ali,
    Thanks so much for posting this. It is so awesome to be reminded that no matter what else is going on it is ok if we (mommy's) want to be crazy and just enjoy a moment of "mundane" in our lives.

    Reply 0 Replies

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