No floaties?!

Andrew just finished two weeks of swim lessons with Miss Ginger, and now he's floatie free! I know what you're thinking, but it's true. Andrew didn't believe her either. Actually, he still doesn't believe it. When asked about swimming without floaties, he varies from excitement to concern that he will "float to the bottom".

Here are a few shots of Andrew swimming with his teacher. One picture on the shows Andrew preparing to jump of the diving board without floaties. He's getting a little encouragement from Miss Ginger. Her full time job is teaching high school students, so she has a completely different style for handling toddlers. It was fantastic. Initially, Andrew would ask over and over, "Did I do a good job? Was that a good one?" Finally, Miss Ginger looked in the eyes and said, "Andrew I really like you, but no. You are not doing a good job. Just put your head down and look at my feet. Do it again...right this time." No sugar-coating in Ginger's pool. He responded, and the evidence is in the pictures and in the pool. 

We still have some practicing at Grandma Mary's before we head off to the Hurricane Harbor, but he's doing amazingly well! Thanks for everything Miss Ginger! (By the way, Andrew is one of 150 little guys and gals that will learn to swim in that pool with Miss Ginger's guidance!)

:)

Anne

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July from the Shackletts. We celebrated Caroline's first 4th with our first time participating in a 4th of July parade. Our very young neighborhood association started an annual parade for the 4th. The sign said there were prizes... We were in! Here is our "float".

At this point, we are clearly the front runners for the best decoration prize.

Caroline, although a very good sitter, didn't last long once the wagon was in motion. I soon moved her back to the stroller.

Including us, there were about 20 people, so I felt pretty good about our odds for first prize. We did one lap around the park, and all the middle-aged soccer men happily cheered and clapped for our tiny parade. After our lap, we enjoyed Popsicles and fake tattoos. A hush soon fell over the crowd, and the two little old ladies (the organizers) grabbed the prize box... She shrugged and said, "We have prizes, y'all, but I just don't have the heart to pick a winner. I think we'll just save the prizes for next year." Horse shit. 

This time next year, it's on. I encouraged the sweet old ladies to hire judges. The Shackletts will win the neighborhood parade. Isn't that what our forefathers would have wanted?

Either way, happy birthday America!

:)

Anne