Spiderman, Ducks and Swimming

 Spiderman!

Our weekend kicked off well. I arrived at nursery on Thursday evening to see Eve waving out the window to me in her old Tweenie room. This is the first time I've seen her there since she started in Bouncies, so this filled me with happiness.

I've taken the past three Friday's off work to sort out things at home. I seem to have become lost in the bliss of the three day weekend, which makes life so much more fun and easier. It means that I can spend quality time on Saturday and Sunday with Eve, as the cooking and cleaning has already been done.

Bright and early on Saturday morning my sister stopped by to drop off Jago. It was off the cuff as she needed to finish an essay. It's great living nearby, so that we can both help each other during these kind of situations. Jago and Eve had a fantastic day together. Jago was good as gold; barely shed a tear, ate well, slept twice and enjoyed being with us. I loved hanging out with him and Eve; I smiled a lot.

Showing her younger cousin how to work the karaoke disco

Reading Eve's favourite story, it made Jago so relaxed that he fell asleep

Sam was working upstairs in the studio, so once Jago woke up from his morning nap we went up to see him. We danced, played with some small musical instruments, as well as letting the kids play Sam's drum kit.

Jago ate his entire sandwich and then most of Eve's too

After lunch Eve wanted to make Play Doh creations with Jago. She showed him how to use different tools, and how to flatten a piece out to make a print in it. Eve really enjoyed looking after Jago; but we told her that when they're older Jago no doubt will be looking after her :-)

Claire collected Jago mid afternoon, so that we could shoot off in the car to see Joe, Jilly and Lamorna which we had previously arranged. The morning had been grey and rainy, so we were all very glad that the sun started to shine. We headed out for a quick walk to the duck pond before Eve and Lamorna's dinner-time.

Eastville Park Duck Pond

Eve was ecstatic seeing the ducks and birds. There was also a rather agro swan that was attacking various ducks; possibly protecting eggs or maybe just having a bad day?! Eve enjoyed watching the different animal scenes unfold around her. She became tired quite quickly though, and I ended up carrying her most of the way around the park - so much for my great idea of travelling light (didn't take the pram). However, this was the first trip we've taken where I only packed three bags and nothing else. It felt pretty amazing not having to pack the car full of stuff.

This weekend I also packed away Eve's high chair. I cleaned it and stashed it in our store cupboard - this felt so liberating. It's cool sharing meals sitting round the table together, all of us on chairs or the bench. And, the best thing is; no more gross high chair cleaning, yippee...

Daddy and Eve during our walk to the pond

Eve really enjoyed bath-time at Lamorna's house and went to bed without any fuss or bother - Mummy and Daddy hi-five moment. Sam and I ate a wonderful Oriental feast with Jilly and Joe, and then the boys headed over to our house for boys night, and Jilly and I went to bed as we were exhausted.

Eve and Lamorna both slept through the night and woke up just before 7am. We got them ready and headed out to Horfield swimming pool. Jilly takes Lamorna every weekend which is impressive to me. Public swimming pools always seem to offer up some kind of issue and we aren't so keen on visiting them. I know I'm a bit of a pool snob as we were members of the Clifton Lido for years - but the reason we became members was because every time we went to a public pool there was always some kind of problem; with the warmth of the pool, the amount of people, the carpark etc etc.

Unfortunately this time was no different. We arrived at the pool, I had explained to Eve what we were doing, but when we opened the door to the changing room she took one look inside and lay down on the floor and howled. Ladies leaving the room gave me sympathetic looks and encouraging words to Eve but she stayed where she was. Jilly came back and picked up Eve and I took Lamorna. Eve was pretty much distraught and I wasn't sure whether to try to change her into her swim suit at all. We found a family changing room which we could thankfully all fit into. I sat with Eve calming her down, whilst tears poured down her face. After watching Lamorna get into her swimming nappy and swim suit Eve wanted to get into hers. But by the time Eve was in her swim suit and we arrived at the children's pool there was a sign saying, 'pool full.' 

I was completely gutted. The lifeguard said that only two of us could enter the pool, so I told Jilly and Lamorna to, as I was sure that Eve would get upset if we went in without them. Eve and I had to sit on the side getting cold for 10-15 minutes. By the time we were allowed into the pool her enthusiasm had gone and she was feeling scared again. I sat on the steps in the water and beckoned her in, as I didn't want to force her. Eve stood on the side of the pool looking nervous, but full of anticipation as she could see Lamorna and all the other children having a good time. She nodded at me and came over to the steps. I carried her around in the water for a few minutes, but she started whimpering and told me that she wanted to get out and go home. 

I know that these rules are there for our safety, but people who don't have children don't understand these situations, and the lifeguard was giving no leeway. After the ordeal of getting her to the pool in her swim suit, with her feeling happy about swimming, and then not being able to was saddening. Looking at her little worried face as she stood on the edge of the pool was heart breaking. I must say that it reminded me of myself. I was scared of the water when I was small and didn't learn to swim until I was about 7.

Our trip to the pool wasn't in vain however. During the time that we sat on the edge of the pool together I pointed out the children who were swimming and splashing about. We also watched a little boy on the edge of the pool who held his mother's hands and then jumped in. This really impressed Eve and she has talked about it for a few days. She was keen to tell her nursery carer about the swimming pool on Monday morning. We're planning to take Eve again when Daddy can come with us next weekend.

I have tried to be as encouraging about swimming as I can, and pulled out a photo album last night to show Eve photos of herself in the pool and sea when she was smaller. She liked looking at these as well as playing with her Little Mermaid swim suit. 

Sunday was of course Mother's Day. Eve and I were home from the pool by 10am so we spent a nice day pottering about together. At one point I was cleaning the bathroom upstairs whilst Daddy was watching tv. I came downstairs to find Eve happily sitting at the table watching her music videos on Youtube, drawing all over her face. It made me laugh and the ink on her face stayed there until bath time - we even went to the park like it.

Eve started swinging her legs to gain momentum on the swings for the first time!