Saturday - A Birthday Swimming Party!
A pair of twin girls from Orlando's preschool class had a birthday swimming party on Saturday at the YMCA. We had never been to the YMCA before, but I suspect this was only the first of many visits in our future.
Actually, Lando's favorite part was probably the game room where we waited while they finished preparing the party room. The game room contained a pool table, Foosball table, air hockey table, etc. Lando really enjoyed that and wanted to go back in there after the party! It was only because the building was closing that we had to drag him away, with the promise that we'd be back someday.
After some preliminary games and snacks in the party room, it was on to the main event -- the swimming pool!
Lando had only been in a swimming pool one other time. Back in July, during our trip to the Bristol Renaissance Festival, Dawn and Lando took a dip in the hotel swimming pool while I (along with Eric) spent some more time at the festival. As a result, I didn't get to see his first time in the pool.
At the YMCA, they have a wading pool that varies from 2 feet deep at the shallow end to 3 feet deep at the "deep" end. Initially, Lando had no interest in actually getting into the pool. Instead, he walked around the edge of the pool, where there is just an inch or two of water. Eventually, with some coaxing from Dawn, he allowed himself to be lowered into the water. After that, he was fine.
I, of course, took photos and video of the whole thing. I had the video all edited for posting yesterday, but the software I was using decided to crash while it was actually writing out the file. I re-did everything -- and the software crashed again!
I'll try some different software tomorrow and will hopefully manage to get it posted!
Sunday - Adventures in Babysitting
On Sunday, Dawn and Val went on a shopping trip together, leaving me with Lando and Val's two kids, Jake and Alissa. Jake is about Lando's age, while Alissa is two. When Dawn and Val returned four hours later, I was very happy to see them!
Actually, for the most part, it wasn't terrible, although it did mean that I couldn't do anything during that time except watch the kids. The first half-hour was the worst and went basically like this:
JAKE: I want to play outside!
ME: Okay, you'll need to get your coat on. Lando, do you want to play outside, too?
LANDO: Yay!
ME: Wait! Alissa, no no no no! Sweetie, you can't play with that. Jake, wait for Lando.
JAKE: I'm going outside!
ME: Lando, get your shoes and socks. Alissa! No! Take that out of your mouth! Jake? Wait for Lando!
JAKE: No, I want to play outside!
ME: Well stay in the back yard where I can see you.
JAKE: Okay!
ME: Lando, get your shoes and socks, please. Alissa! Where did you get that? Give it to me, please. No! Lando, get your shoes and socks!
etc.
After the first 30 minutes or so, things calmed down a bit. I basically alternated between playing peacemaker between Lando and Jake ("Orlando isn't sharing!", etc) and generally thwarting the desires of Alissa at every turn.
Of course, when Dawn and Val returned, Alissa was sitting on my lap asleep. I think that means I won.
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