Firsts

Elora took her first steps a few days ago! She has been standing up alone for about a week, and she's getting really fast in her walker, so we knew her first steps would be soon approaching. We were at a beautiful swimming pool with some friends and she walked from Sean to me with three little steps and a huge smile on her face! What a doll! We were so excited and then she got this expression on her face like, "What's going on?" What a big day. She also has 4 little teeth coming in! Her first b-day is in a couple weeks and I can't bring myself to believe it.

Jackson learned how to hold his breath under water! We were playing in the waves and he said, "Look Mommy! I know how to breathe under water!" which scared me at first, I really don't want my kid breathing in water! But he meant "put my head under water" which he has been scared to do for years. So I'm really proud of him for being so brave and learning to hold his breath. Now he doesn't get as anxious if a wave knocks him over. The down side is that he's more confident in the ocean, so I'm extra careful to keep an eye on him now! The ocean is a very unpredictable playground. Usually the kids don't go in above their waists though, so that makes it easier to make sure they're safe and having fun.

Peter learned how to swim! He just figured it out one day and we were all so surprised! He does a really great doggy paddle for about 2 meters and then yells, "OK! HELP ME NOW!!!" It's amazing. I'm proud of him for being brave too - these kids used to be really freaked out of the water. The boys have learned to overcome their fear of the sensation of floating, having their head underwater, and standing their ground when being pulled back and forth by waves.

I have a "first" too: Homeschooling. I will write more about it later, but the kids and I have been absolutely LOVING it.