Another Swim Benchmark

The Friday before Don's birthday we were able to go to the temple. Because of this Rebekah had to miss her regular swim lesson and schedule a make up lesson. 

She was nervous about a new teacher but she warmed right up to her. As the lesson progressed I noticed it was time to practice getting the rings. Rebekah has struggled with this for quite some time but she has progressed so much, all on her own time table, that I haven't done much but encourage her to keep working. 

At one point she wanted to try and her teacher helped give her a little push. She came out of the lesson okay but once she saw me she broke into tears. Since then she hasn't done much. We have worked on the steps. At one point she dove in with her flippers and got enough momentum to get a ring on the 2nd to the last step, but that's where we were.

So, watching her make up lesson, I wondered how she was going to get out of getting the rings (because believe me, she would). However, I saw the teacher nod (I sit up on in my seat) and then I saw Rebekah nod (I'm on the edge of my seat), the teacher picks up Rebekah and gives her a push under water. I Jump up to the glass wall that divides us parents from the pool to see Rebekah swimming to the surface with a ring! I literally scream, clap, and cheer for her, not caring what the other parents thought of me. I can't believe she did it! My eyes were fixed on Rebekah who was shaking the ring and mouthing (it's sound proof) "I did it mama!"

Since then she has upped her game and has to get at least 5 at a time:

(Please excuse the out of shape frumpy woman in the shot and focus on Rebekah)

She has learned so much from her lessons at Goldfish Swim and I am entirely grateful. Her teachers have all been great but even those who are not her teachers have helped so much, not to mention the friendly staff who always greet her by her name and speak to her like she is a mini adult, which where this is concerned, she really is.

Don's Birthday

Don was turning 54. We spent much time in preparation. First thing we did is run to the store and get him a shirt. He also said he needed socks but when I was putting laundry away I found a package of socks, opened but still 3 or 4 unused, so I threw them in the present too.

Next there was the cake making. Good times. Love Rebekah's attitude with the pictures lately.

The next day we put on frosting and sprinkling ensued.

There was much sampling with Dad's cake - had to get just the right kind of sprinkles. Nothing but the best would do.

The final product:

Don got home and saw his cake. "Strawberry frosting?" He was worried. No no, Don. That's just the plethora of sprinkles.

Then I had Rebekah promise not to sample while she helped me decorate the mini cupcakes I made for my ward choir.

There was much to clean up.

We celebrated Saturday. Here's Don opening his present. He loved the socks.

The birthday card Rebekah made for him. "Happy bday dad!" - although she put too many "a"'s in there, I think she did great!

I had talked to mom before hand to see if we could come out to Frank's for a cook out. This way Don could have his much preferred mom's cooking for his birthday. It was wonderful!

Beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, strawberries, hotdogs and hamburgers.

Then there was the much anticipated cake, and of course the singing.

Don's favorite picture pose is something sticking out of his mouth. This time it was a fork.

And whatever dad does, Rebekah does.

Then we flew a kite. It was beautiful.

I let Rebekah rome. (Although I did follow her around with a camera.)

Yeah, I know I'm totally bias but man she is cute!

Then there was snuggling with grammy.

After which Rebekah begged grammy to take her to the park where she played as a little girl. I tagged along.

She ran and played and had so much fun but then stopped short. She looked at me with panic in her eyes. The ground was marshy and her feet got really wet. Really really wet. I tried to coax her out of the marshiness and back to me but she had fear in her eyes. So, of course, I jumped in. I tried not to get too wet but it was useless. When I got over to where she was, she was no where in sight. Apparently while I was watching my step to get over to her she had ran back to grammy. Seriously. I give.

We got back in the car and the shoes and socks came off and pant legs came up.

I left mine on until I got back to Franks. Once I got them off I realized I had a great excuse for a foot picture:

Besides the marsh incident, it was a wonderful day. Happy birthday Don! We love you!

Daddy Love

The girl loves her dad. Don works long hours the last and first week of the month. Rebekah misses him terribly. When he does finally get home here is what happens:

About here I told them I was taking pictures. I asked for one more. This is what I got. Love the attitude, Rebekah.

The other day Don cut his finger. Rebekah had to put a bandage on it. A Doc McStuffins Bandage. It takes a true man to where a Lambie bandage on his finger all day long.

I try to get in on the love too and took this selfie a little while ago. Thought I'd include it here so I could be part of the post too....

They Still Fit

Rebekah has been obsessed with babies lately. She wants one of her own. We have looked through her old baby books and old blog posts and has found her old baby things including her first sweats (size 24 months) and jacket (the one I made when she was 9 months old). When she walked in the room wearing them I about died!

What once looked like this:

Has become....

What once looked like this:

 

Has become....

So big!

Message to Dad

A week or so ago they had strawberry ice-cream as "flavor of the day" at the local Culvers, and the rule is when they have strawberry ice-cream as the flavor of the day we stop. So, we stopped, ate strawberry ice-cream and made dad an impromptu selfie-movie:

Got to love the cheesy saxophone music in the background.... But we do love you Don!

Conference Sweet Rolls

I make sweet rolls 3 times a year. General Conferences and Christmas. It's a fun tradition which my husband actually looks forward too. Yay! The tradition is even more fun now that Rebekah is helping. 

Rolling the dough

Putting the good stuff in

The rising of the rolls

Unable to wait for a picture

Partaking in goodness for the belly and goodness for the spirit.

Then we went upstairs to watch the rest of conference. I post the following picture mainly out of laughter concerning President Eyring's "watching in your Sunday best" comment. I suppose we are a little more relaxed than we should be but for the first time in 4 years we are able to watch conference with Rebekah! I bought her some little crafts to do and that helped for some of it. Sweet Rolls helped too. Dad's hat helped a bunch as well.

Singing in the Rain

We've had a lot of rain lately. We've decided to embrace it:

Rebekah going for a walk in the rain.

Bye mama!

Rebekah back from her walk trying to catch rain on her tongue.

"You do it mama."

The act becomes seriously less cute when you are over a certain age.

A New Ride

Rebekah's been growing. Recently I noticed that her pants were fitting better, meaning I no longer had any rolling of the leg issues, so I decided to check. Sure enough she grew an inch in a month. Wow. 

Don decided a new and bigger bike was in order. One day after work he took us down to Matthew's Bike shop. I highly recommend the experience. The salesman was very kind and respectful to Rebekah and he gave us no pressure at all. Rebekah told him she wanted a fancy red bike with a basket and a bell. Here is what he found for her:

She fell in love and started calling it her bike from then on. 

We have also been talking about getting me a bike. The salesman found us one that was perfect: low enough to the ground that I could touch (I had no idea how hard that was to find) and the position of the pedals and the seat was much better for the back (seeing that I have pretty bad back pain). It was even orange. However, it was way more than I wanted to spend.

So we got Rebekah's. The man threw in a bell and dad threw in a basket. Rebekah was in heaven. 

The next day Rebekah rode her bike around the neighborhood. Gone are the days I can walk or even jog beside her. I was all out running.

It may have been that, or it may have been Don's sweet heart. Maybe both. Either way, a few days later he came home with this:

I may have cried a little.

The following day Rebekah and I went to look for helmets. Here's a few she picked out. (I didn't get a picture of the rainbow unicorn one.) 

Got to love her style, however I decided on a plain black one.

Then it rained. And snowed. And rained some more. Finally this afternoon it got warm enough (mid 30's - so chilly) to take our first ride. Don came out with camera in hand.

Did I mention the last time I rode a bike may have been in the 80's?

I was surprised how much I loved it! It was a beautiful experience. Rebekah needed to be constantly reminded to watch where she is going (she has the habit of singing and looking all around at everything as she goes through life, which isn't bad but once you add greater speeds it can be dangerous. We had one little accident but she was brave enough to push on. Made it around the neighborhood, to the park, and back. Very nice. So excited to ride more!

Easter

We started festivities Saturday morning because Don had early morning meetings on Easter Sunday. 

Love this picture of Rebekah's excitement running to see what was left out for her.

Her stash:

It was only then that she realized eggs were hidden around the house.

We also got a wonderful package from nana including her homemade chocolates!

Rebekah and Don tried to play the games I purchased. I thought they would be age appropriate but they were more frustrating then I had imagined. Very sad.

Then we headed up to the church for the Easter brunch. While waiting in line Rebekah decided she and Don needed to bump bums.

Don decided to help out:

They had a little egg hunt for the kids.

Sunday Rebekah got to wear a new dress bought for her by grammy. She loved the dress and all the complements she got wearing it! Then we headed over to Frank's for dinner and more festivities.

Got to love that grammy!

With a little help, Rebekah found all the treats hidden in Frank's yard.

And even sampled some.

Don, taking one for the team. (This is how I limit the amount sugar Rebe intakes.)

Later that day Don and Rebekah took a ride in the golf cart. They started like this:

But came back like this:

Rebekah colored with grammy.

Don and I posed for a selfie.

Then, per Rebekah's request, we took a family ride.

The video is two parts - first Rebekah and Don driving alone and then I cut to the family trip. (Yes, that's my scared voice in the background.)