Water Fun

This week was Cortlyn's first swim lessons! The child loves the water, so we thought we better stay ahead of the game and get her in some lessons!

We are in a Mommy and me class and there are two other mommy and daughters. Cortlyn has done great this week. We have worked on floating, kicking and jumping in the water. Cortlyn was ahead of the game as far as jumping in and going under water. The other little girls don't like to get their face wet- but not Cortlyn! If you have ever been with us when we are near water, then you know how much fun Cortlyn has going under the water! She jumps in without hesitation... but more on that in a minute.

Cortlyn's weakness in the lessons this week had been floating on her back. She did NOT like that at all. Which I understand. I remember when I was little and trying to learn to float on my back. Its hard to believe that keeping your head back will make you float better- I mean you can't SEE anything that way! Cortlyn did finally get the hang of it, and I barely had to hold her booty or head... yay! Kicking has been pretty decent, sometimes she's really into it and sometimes she's not so much.

On Thursday, we were waiting for the instructor to tell us to get in the water so we could start the lessons. Cortlyn was standing RIGHT next to me and kept asking to get in the water. Then, all of a sudden, I heard a splash- yup. Cortlyn had jumped into the water by herself. I was so scared, but calmly jumped in and grabbed her. She came to the surface smiling and I had to get on to her. I had a hard time with that. It was really the first time that I was happy she was okay, yet knew I had to discipline her for her action. We got out of the water and I told her how sad (an emotion I know that she understands) and scared (one that I don't think we've quite gotten down yet) Mommy was when Cortlyn jumped into the water by herself. I told her that she is NEVER allowed to jump into the water unless Mommy is there to catch her. I also made her sit in time out, against the wall near the pool while the instructor started the lesson. I only did this for a minute- I AM paying for these lessons after all! Anyway, she told me and the instructor that she was sorry and she was very good for the rest of the lesson. Hopefully this will teach her to be more cautious around the water now!

Adventures in Discipline

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. We've been a little busy and my camera isn't working well (probably thanks to a toddler that wants to try and take pictures herself), so we don't have any pictures to post. But, I know you will enjoy this story from this morning.

Cortlyn had been playing in the cabinets in the kitchen while Corey and I were busy cleaning up the house. She had picked up a stack of lids and thrown them on the floor and then wanted to play with the football. I asked Cortlyn to pick up the lids and put them up before she played with the ball. She said "No way!" which is her new favorite phrase. I asked her again to pick up the lids and the said no way again. So, we took the football away from her and set it on the counter top- out of reach, but where she could see it. she begged for the football, while stepping on the lids that she refused to pick up. We tried everything, and Corey brought out his stadium cushion out that is our naughty spot (Thank you Nanny Jo!) and sat Cortlyn on the cushion. Well... she said "No way! I don't wanna sit there!" and moved 3 inches away from the cushion, right next to it with her arms crossed. So, Corey and I took turns for the next few minutes sitting her back on the cushion with her crying and moving everytime. Finally, I bent down and said "Cortlyn, I want you to pick up the lids on the floor" and her face lit up and she enthusiastically said "Okay!" and rushed to put the lids away. Then, we offered her the football and she shook her head and marched over and happily sat down. On the naughty spot cushion.

Really???????