Floating on his own!

I have so much guilt sometimes because Jace's life has been tagging along while Ashlynn gets dropped off at speech, OT, and swimming.  Even though it's work, I don't think Jace sees it that way. Ashlynn gets all the attention, then she is told we are proud of her, and he is left out.

I did enroll him in preschool even though it's costing me over 200 dollars a month just for him to go two half days a week, but I know his self-esteem needs it.  He loves acting big, putting on his backpack, telling me goodbye and sitting at the table with all the kids.  His smile is worth more than the money we are paying.

Since he's been really wanting to swim, I've been having Ashlynn's swim teacher Josh see him the last 5 minutes of her sessions, so he doesn't feel so left out. Today Ashlynn was sick, so Jace got to have the entire session to himself and boy did he make the best of it!

He was jumping in the pool without hesitation, jumped right into his head bobs, and when it came to his back float, Josh let go and Jace floated alone for 10 seconds!  He was soooo proud!!  Look at that smile!  He also did a back kick on his own for four seconds smiling all the way.

He gets so cold easily and was shivering, but he was determined.  He was so tired by the end he couldn't even manage a kick.  He truly gave it everything he had!

I really want to find an activity that is just for Jace...maybe Karate, maybe soccer, I don't know.  I want him to feel special and proud in his own right.  He deserves it.

Fascinated by the cowboy, stealing the violin, and other pumpkin harvest adventures.

We went to the pumpkin festival today.  Both of you kids love to dance. We spent a large amount of time with the band, which you loved.  You sat down and banged together your two spoons, staring at the band members.  You have always been that way though.

When you had colic as a baby, we would get out the guitars and you would quiet right down.  You would lay on the floor and listen to us play.  Out of all you crazy and rowdy boy antics, stick live music in front of you and you are calm.

At one point, the woman lay down her violin on the ground.  You were eyeing it the entire time.  I saw you make a break for it and though I jumped up weaving through the crowd as fast as I could, it was too late.  You were holding this violin as though you had found the golden treasure and your eyes were dancing.  I took it away and you cried like you had lost the golden treasure.  lol

Later we watched a cowboy tell stories of life back in the days of the pioneers.  You were the youngest audience member that was completely enchanted by his stories.  You took mental notes of everything, and if I had any doubt, you reminded us later to look for "snakes in our bed" because they might have snuck in during the day."  LOL  How is one three year old so dang smart?  I hope you never lose you sense of wonder (I just hope you learn to reign it in a bit).