Teaching your kids to swim (1) - Day 293

Day 1

I stumbled upon this great website teaching parents how to teach your kids to swim successfully. The videos are amazing and makes me feel like I am way behind on teaching my kids, so I thought I would share our process with you all. 

So today we are talking about the prep work before getting into the pool. They suggest you maybe get your kids a little something to get them excited about swimming. I want to get Ben some goggles and some dive toys. Some other ideas are a swim vest, floating mat, or noodle if they are really nervous, and maybe a swim cap. No other toys besides diving toys to promote swimming not playing in the water. 

So here is the first video. Watch it. It will change your life. Since my boys are already ok with water over their heads,  I practiced holding our breath out of the water. We now have this cute little game where we plug our nose and hold our breath and who ever can hold it the longest wins. Ben is always saying he wins, but I guess that isn't the point.

 

If the video doesn't work, use this link

Do's and Don'ts:

• You can practice holding your breath anywhere at anytime. The car would be a great place!

• Remember toys and playing in the water are your friend. Ben will do anything if he can play so be sure to include a little of that before or after your swim lessons.
• Don't rush your child and definitely don't throw them in the deep end. Good experiences help the process!

Rachel McAdams - Day 292

So last night Daniel and I watched the movie "The Vow" and I realized that a lot of my favorite movies involve her! My favorites:

The Vow
Sherlock Holmes 1&2
The Family Stone
Mean girls
The Notebook
The Hot chick

So I love to hear your favorites that do and don't involve Rachel. I just love movies and I think someones favorites tell a lot about themselves!

Imaginext - Day 291

When the boys and I came home from vacation Daniel had gotten them a toy. They are the cutest little things I have ever seen. It is the Imaginext series and what I love about it is they do a whole bunch of different groups. Daniel picked out a toy story theme this time, but they also have Cars, super heros, dinosaurs, and many more. They are perfect for little hands and I plan on storing mine in a little Tupperware all grouped together. This will be great for Ben, because now he can earn money by doing chores and such and buy another piece to the set.

This is the one Ben got yesterday and the woody can ride the Bullseye. Tayrien got Lotso, Sparks, and Chunk. They are reasonably priced for kids to save money to buy. Go check them out!

San Diego and Arizona- Day 290

 So I thought I would share some photos from our trip. Some of AZ is in here too. 

San Diego harbor

Papa Ed and the boys

Throwing rocks into the ocean

ON the flight to AZ. Ben wouldn't turn around. 

They loved the window!

Man the water is cold!

 Tucker, My dad, Chase

I don't remember a lot of things from growing up in AZ, but I do remember this place!

This is my sweet Granny pushing Benn in the swing 

In church Benny picked through the fruit loops and pulled out all the crazy eights because they look like a letter "B" and lined them up all nice to eat.

I visited with my cousins and here are all the kids!

The best fish in San Diego right on the beach

Tayrien wandered into a beach volleyball practice and these girls fell in love with him. 

Ok, one of me, before I got burned.

He ate the lemon.

Ben loved the fish, So did Tayrien.

Bucket head

 Ben wouldn't touch the water until Grandma Kathy enticed him to.

Tucker dug this hole and when he was through he told me to get in it. No pictures of me in it though.

He did not like the water and would scream every time he would touch it.

Tayrien cried on the animals, so we sat on a bench.

Ben wanted to ride forever.

Birthday parties - Day 289

I love planning parties and so I am always looking for the next one coming up. Here are my favorite two websites:

hwtm

(hostess with the mostest)

Kara's party ideas

Photoshop- Day 288

Since my favorite website closed down I have resorted back to Photoshop. It was just easier to use Picnik instead, but I found a great loop hole. This website has a bunch of actions you can use in Photoshop. The person who posted it already did all the hard work and just gives you the actions. You download them and they automatically show up in your actions file. You just have to click on the actions and photoshop does them all for you! Piece of cake!!!

Photoshop helps

Working with Wood - Day 287

Building things with wood is a new passion of mine. I was inspired by this women called Anna. She builds everything herself and then shares the plans. There are a lot of knock offs and all are awesome!

Anna White

School time - Day 286

I am starting some school time again for the boys and I have found this awesome lady who used to be a teacher and makes these packets for toddlers! Love them!!!

Mommy school

This one is really cute!

Home school creations

This one lets you print out your own child's name so they can practice writing it!

Handwriting

Church Handouts - Day 285

My calling is in Young Women's and I teach every once and a while, but I plan all the wednesday activities and this place helps me out every time! I love it and I hope it lasts for a long time!!!

Holy Handouts

Here is a website of Book of Mormon tittle pages

The redhead hostess 

Here is one that has handouts coordinating with any candy

Sweet treats

Hair - Day 284

 I recently found this great place where anything hair is listed. They have ideas, tips, anything helpful when it comes to hair. Really a great place.

Hair

Exercise - Day 284

Exercise is a big part of my life now and it all started with this one website. I know she isn't dressed modestly, but I really like her workouts. I like the fact that if you aren't at her level, she gives you an easier option. She has great workouts and she is really motivating.

Bodyrock.tv

Date night - Day 283

I hate thinking up dates, so I always go to The Dating Divas and find my ideas. They are awesome for holidays and special occasions too. Please visit and find some special ideas for you and your hubby!

Crochet patterns - Day 282

Crochet Geek is one of my favorite places to find patterns for my crochet. She makes really weird color combos, but all I want are the basic patterns. I love her videos and her Magic circle!!!! I also use Ravelry is another great space. You have to sign up, but it is free and kind of like pinterest in that you can keep track of your favorite patterns. Anyone can learn to crochet and with these two great resources it should be a cinch!!!!

Diamond Candles - Day 281

 So not to make you all jealous, but I am on vacation on a warm place next to the ocean and for while I am away the posts will be about some cool things I have found, or my favorite things! So here is to a great vacation week!

 Diamond Candles

I saw this the other day on Pinterest and thought it was a gimmick. It is totally cool! They make these great soy candles with fabulous scents and then when you melt it down you get a foil little package and inside is a ring! The prices range from $10-$5,000!!! Some are ugly and gaudy, but some are cute and some are worth a lot of money! I thought it's like a grown up cracker jacks! Even if you get a fake ring or one you think is ugly, hey at least you get a great smelling candle!

National Nursing Home Week - Day 280

 I had no idea that this week even existed until today when my Mother-in-law invited us to her work. She works in a Nursing home and today was kids and pets day. She picked us up and brought us to her work. They had a bouncy house, kool-aid, cookies, and a bunch of cool pets. There was a Tortoise, pot belly pig, English bulldog, duck, turkey, Silkie chicken, bunny rabbit, snake, alligator and some other dogs. The boys had a blast in the bouncy house and by the end we had to drag them away from the animals! Their favorite was the alligator. Grandma Dee would pick it up so they could both pet it. At one time Tayrien touched it and made this hand gesture and sound to say that feels yucky! The duck was put into a little pool and would get the water on it's back and splash the kids. It was hilarious! My favorite was the English Bulldog. I have always wanted one! Thanks Grandma Dee for the fun morning!!!

Little life jackets - Day 279

 Back when Ben was only one, we went to the lake with my brother and his family. They had this life jacket thing around their son and it looked like it helped him swim so we borrowed it for a little while to try out on Ben and it was fabulous! We went out and bout one right then. He has used it every summer and it has been a blessing. I don't have to watch him like a hawk and he can be a little more independent. We have two so Tayrien got one this year. Last night we tried them out at papa mark and Grandma Dee's pool. The water was way to cold to enjoy anything, but we threw the boys in for at least one dunk so they can get used to the water. Tayrien needs to learn to use his legs, but Ben did great again! We got our at Walmart for around $13.

Cute matching boys

Pointing at a bug

We love to splash

Reaching for the ball, he almost fell in

Daddy throwing Ben in

 It is kind of small, but Tayrien is falling between the edge of the pool and the raft

Love those lips and baby blues