Tale as old as time

Twas a good weekend. Grandma Dianne, Grandpa Jerry, and Kristen came to visit in celebration of Lucy's birthday (which is actually tomorrow, April 28!). They got a priceline hotel deal and we got to take the swimming a couple different times. The kids loved it. Julian was so brave and excited. First thing he put on his swimming ring, adjusted his goggles, walked calmly to the edge of the pool, and SPLASH! jumped right in! He repeated this scenario about 200 times with no fear. At one point he asked if he could try swimming without his swimming ring. I told him, okay, I'll be right here in case it doesn't work out. So, he adjusted his goggles and just jumped off the steps and tried to start swimming. He sunk like a stone of course, but he was doing everything right, kicking his legs and swimming with his arms. I grabbed him in a split second of course so he didn't suck down too much water. He was a little scared, but not enough to deter his jumping in again, but not without his swimming ring for now. He's excited to learn to swim without the ring and I think he'll have it down with a few more times of going swimming this summer.

We also had the chance to go with Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Wayne to see the Hunter Central Stake production of Beauty and the Beast. Julian was absolutely on the edge of his seat for the entire 2 hours and 45 minutes. Lucy made it about 2 hours until I had to take her home due to her banshee wail, and Vincent made it about 10 minutes before Nicole had to take him home to put him down for a nap. The play was very good and I was actually quite impressed at the quality of a local production with just amateur actors. Julian is now looking forward to being in a play himself. His preschool program will be good practice. I will unfortunately be out of town for work and miss it. My heart is absolutely broken over this, as are Nicole and Julian. He's been preparing for this all year and he's so excited. I've explained to Julian that I really want to be there but won't be able to, so we'll video his program and then when I get home from my business trip we'll have a party with popcorn and watch it together. I'm trying to keep him positive and excited and happy about the whole thing and not get too down about the fact that I won't be there. He's a good kid and is rolling with it fine. I hope he does so the day of the program as well.

Lucy's birthday is tomorrow and we're still debating what her gift will be. Talk about crunch time!