Our Hockey Boy

I finally downloaded pictures of Jeremy's first day of ice skating/hockey. He finished his fourth class on Saturday, so he's halfway done with his first session. And I'm very proud to say that he didn't use the "tooter" (walker) at all during his latest class. He's really getting the hang of it. He still falls a bit, but he's shown such progress in just a month. Enjoy!

Watching the Zamboni clean the ice.

His first steps on the ice.

He doesn't want to let go.

Using his tooter.

Listening to the coaches.

He's getting tired.

Look at that sweaty head!

Swimming Lessons

As with every summer for the last couple of years, I enrolled the kids in swimming lessons. Actually, I had enrolled Riley in for the last several years, and this was Jeremy's first year. Riley is such a fish--he takes to water much like her daddy. (Phil was a lifeguard for 15+ years and didn't like that we're having to pay for lessons, but he works and we don't have a pool. But he does get in the water with her every chance he gets!)

Riley was already in the third level, where she can swim on her own, float on her back, and most exciting of all is that she can dive off the diving board by herself and swim to the side. See for yourself!

Riley's hand as she shows me her swimming.

Riley along the side of the pool.

Now Jeremy reminds me a lot of me. Remember seeing him at the water park? How he loved the lazy river and didn't really care to get wet? Yeah, that would be him. He spent the first few lessons attached to the lifeguard and not wanting to participate. I had a long talk with him and told him it was important to learn how to swim. Luckily the weather was nice and hot, so he did what he was asked and even seemed to enjoy himself.

Jeremy waiting along the side of the pool. Notice that the kids
learned at a water park and not a traditional pool--
we don't have those around here!

Practicing his kicking.

Listening to the lifeguard.

Both kids were able to jump off the diving board if they wanted to. Originally Jeremy wanted nothing to do with it, which was fine with the lifeguards. He then changed his mind and was the last kid. I still think he wasn't too sure when they "assisted" him into the water! Riley, on the other hand, wanted to go in as many times as she could!

Hockey: Week #2

In today's installment, Jeremy received a hockey jersey, courtesy of the hockey rink. The name of the rink is the Leafs Ice Center, so his jersey had a Maple Leaf on the front, just like the NHL Toronto team. Jeremy took one look at it and said:

I don't like the Leafs. I want a Blackhawk jersey.

We had a good laugh, and then tried to explain to him that it wasn't a real Leafs jersey--that it was part of the hockey rink. I think he understood, but now he keeps telling people that it's not a real Leafs shirt.

He did a great job today--turning around unassisted on the ice. He used the walkers for a bit, but toward the end he went one width of the ice without it! We were so proud of him!! We're hoping that by next week he won't need a walker at all. Way to go J-Man!

Blackhawks Celebration

Phil was one of the lucky 2 million+ that ventured downtown for the Blackhawks parade. It was funny because his boss had told everyone on Thursday that they could work from home on Friday since the city was expecting quite the turnout for the festivities. But Phil said there was no way he was missing it.

He did say that the train was packed when he got on it--and his stop is the third one! Normally the train makes a few stops into the city, but it made one more and then it was too full for any more passengers. Not only was the parade/rally happening, but it was the opening of Bluesfest and the Cubs/Sox crosstown classic.

It was also 90+ degrees outside, and since Phil was in his work attire, he was a tad sweaty. He said he lost about 10 pounds! But it was all worth it. The kids and I watched the parade and rally at home--nothing like spending an entire day in front of the TV. But it was worth it. Even if we didn't see Daddy on TV. Enjoy the pics!

First Day of Skating

Pictures to come later, but the first day of ice skating for Jeremy was a rousing success! He was beyond excited to go, and we got there early enough since we weren't sure where we were going once we were inside the arena. We came prepared with snow pants, a sweatshirt, mittens and his helmet. And skates that a girlfriend let me borrow.

Jeremy got out on the ice and was a little apprehensive, but the instructor came over and took his hands to help him balance himself. They had a bunch of walkers on the ice for the kids to steady themselves, and they had the kids skate from one side of the rink to the other. They also taught the kids how to stand up from sitting on the ice. Jeremy did take quite a few tumbles, and his walker fell on its side a few times, but he was a trooper. There was a boy who was about 7 that helped Jeremy right his walker a couple times.

Once the first lesson was over, he got off the ice and proudly proclaimed: "Mom, I had SO much fun out there! When can I start using my stick?"

In due time, buddy. Let's get you to figure out how to skate first.

Nana at the Zoo

We were blessed three years ago with season passes to the somewhat-nearby zoo. In years past, I had only taken the kids once or twice, since we usually met up with other family members (mostly Uncle D). But lately the kids have been wanting to take both Nana and Grandma to the zoo, and Nana was up to bat first.

Nana, Uncle D and I used to go to the zoo back in the day, since Nana's aunt lived in Brookfield. I remember going to the aunt's house to meet up with cousins and then head off to the zoo. I believe Nana said she hadn't been back to the zoo since those trips, so about 20 years later, she returned with us.

The kids had a great time showing off their favorite parts of the zoo. We attended a dolphin show, which is back at the zoo after taking a year off for fixing the facilities. We scoped out the Great Bear Wilderness, which had just opening in May. That place is VERY cool, with the bears playing in the water and the ability for us to see them up close and personal.

Nana and Riley

The lone elephant

Scoping out the bear exhibit.

We checked out the Children's zoo, where the kids pet goats and saw all kinds of animals. I even got a picture of the kids next to one of the signs rooting on the Chicago Blackhawks.

The kids enjoyed the sign: Poop on the Flyers.

These baby bunnies were right near the sheep.

We capped off our day with a ride on the carousel. And you'll be happy to know that Nana did, in fact, actually ride on one of the animals. It was quite a sight. We had a wonderful time with Nana at the zoo!!

Riley and Nana.

J's attempt at a smile.

Patience was wearing thin by this point. For all parties!

Look Out Blackhawks...

We picked up Jeremy's hockey helmet today! I joked with Phil that knowing Jeremy, he'll want to wear the helmet while we play driveway hockey. This is so cool that it's really happening! I am beyond excited--probably as much as Jeremy is. There were other kids there picking up their gear for actual hockey, and I told Phil that I cannot wait for that phase....if Jeremy enjoys skating. We had him try on some skates to see what size he is and explained how to walk in them. (Of course he was more excited looking at all the video games in the hallway.) He starts his learn to skate sessions next week. I cannot believe I'm beginning the hockey mom phase! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Water Park!

As an treat, we surprised the kids and took them to a water park just a few days after Memorial Day. Phil took the day off, and we loaded up the minivan for the 30-minute trek to Rockford.

Riley takes to water like a fish, much like her dad. Jeremy is like me, and he was content going around the lazy river. I think at one point, he went around with me 10 straight times. Riley found a life jacket and was swimming around in the deep end, shooting baskets. She really wanted to go down the bigger inner tubes, but she wasn't tall enough.

Laughing on the bed.

Riley read Jeremy his new book, which was made by my old company.

We had a wonderful time--the place wasn't crowded at all since it was during the middle of the week. And the kids were worn out by the time we left, so it worked out for everyone's benefit!

Jeremy being adventurous.

The big contraption that dumps water from a big bucket.

Jeremy running around.

Riley with her life jacket.

Riley coming through the tunnel slide.

Riley's turn.

On the lazy river. Nice sunburn!

Me and the kids.

Floating along.

Making sure the water doesn't hit him.

Exhausted.