Little swimmers (nearly)

My girls passed their grade 1 duckling level at swimming on Saturday.

Compared to when they first started, they have become so confident. They've never been frightened of being in water, but they were a bit unsure of themselves when they began the lessons several weeks ago, especially my eldest. Now when they go they forever have a big smile on their little faces as they listen to their teacher's instructions and follow her lead.

They are not swimming fully yet, but they are able to keep themselves buoyant without armbands and doggy paddle for short distances. I am so proud of their progress and we have another 10 sessions booked.

They'll be confident little swimmers before I know it, then it'll be my little man's turn.

Queue

What a queue.

I had to queue for over three hours last Saturday. 


Not to audition for the X factor, or to get my hands on some tickets to the Olympics, no, no, no the endless queuing was to get my girls into swimming lessons at my local leisure centre. 


It's utterly ridiculous how difficult it is to get your children into any kind of extra curricular activity these days, and that's even when you're paying. A lot.


The Government are always talking about an obesity epidemic and the fact that children do not do enough exercise, but there is little in the way of clubs or activities readily available for children to take part in. Yes there is the park and I take my kids often but even our local playground has been closed for months on end as it gets refurbished.

I want to get my children into trampolining, gymnastics, dance classes, playing an instrument. Obviously not all at once, but an activity once a week that can stimulate them and help them to learn new things. In my utopian world I envision a place where little people are able to take part in every single kind of activity under the sun, with perfect ease. They laugh and play, they get fit and make friends. Everything is all good but the reality couldn't be further from the truth.....

Ooh look, I may have to eat my words, for through the letterbox is a leaflet listing a number of fun activities for the run up to the Olympics. Plus the local park has just re-opened with a big celebration launch due next week.


Looks like things are set to get a little bit exciting around here......


Feast your eyes on these pics. What a park eh? No guessing where my brood and I will be most days this summer......

Such a fun climbing frame. And the sand is fab.

These metal trays are great. There are more like this
especially designed for water play.

The hill in the background has tunnels running underneath.
So much fun for children.

And there's a lido..woo hoo!
Currently locked away until launch day.

What activities do your children do? Were they difficult to find and sign up to?

A shaky start

Image from www.cahiley.com 

February is rapidly coming to an end and so I thought I’d give a little update on my 2012 goals. I think it’s therapeutic to review my accomplishments so far and see where needs more work. If the truth be known it's all been a bit shaky, but all is not yet lost.

1) Eating healthily & more exercise - This has been an epic fail. If anything I'm eating more junk and doing less exercise. Very disheartening. I hate to give excuses but I'm so tired all of the time, I'm just eating whatever is quick and to hand. I must try harder to make healthier food choices. I need to get to grips with this. It is currently a joke!

2) Get son christened - Booking the date in the next few days.

3) Swimming lessons for my children - This is proving to be more difficult than expected. My local leisure centre is booked up for the next six months. I could book lessons for my baby boy and middle daughter, as there is availability for their age groups but I can't leave my eldest out. Plus I need to coordinate diaries with my sister and mother in law because each child needs to be accompanied by an adult. I'm disappointed that the process hasn't been as straightforward as I'd hoped but those lessons will get booked by hook or by crook. Alternatively we may ditch the lessons and just take them for a fun splash about each week instead, at least then they'll get used to the pool, they love water anyway - simples.

4) Organise finances - Now I'm a person who loves to save and although the better half isn't a big spender, we have different approaches when it comes to money. I'm working hard to get us both on the same page so we can start putting a decent lump sum away each month. Hoping to get this properly established sharpish.

5) Establish a way to make money from home -  That is still very much a work in progress. I’m taking each day at a time.

6) Do more fun/silly things with my children - I must admit I'm struggling with this one. I can be goofy with my kids from time to time, but daily is tough. I'm a bit of a control freak I'm ashamed to admit, and I find that once I get my kids hyped up with silly play it's tough to get them back on an even keel. It usually ends with constant threats of having to sit on the naughty step because of their failure to calm down. *sigh*

7) Spend more time with family and friends – This is improving but still a work in progress. I've got some play dates booked and want to visit my grandmother next week. The kids would love to see their beloved Nanna. Me too.

8) A family holiday to Barbados - I need to get my son’s passport sorted. I fear this may be a bit of a pipe dream, but I am determined to try and go on some sort of vacation abroad before my eldest starts school and holidays are forever dictated by term times.

9) Work out how to credit photos properly on blogger -  The lovely Maria at Cheeky Pink Tulip helped me with this. I was using the old blogger interface hence the issues. All sorted now. Thanks Maria!!

10) Build my blog and meet more inspirational people through the world of blogging - Slowly but surely I’m getting there I'm meeting lots of great people and I’m loving it.

So that’s my update, still lots to improve on but lots of time still. How are you getting on with your goals for 2012?

Happy New Year! It's 2012!

Well we are here. 2012. A time for new beginnings.

(I'm loving this photo by *Sally M*. I found it on flickr.)

This year I am setting myself some clear goals. No dilly-dallying. 2012 is the time for doing.

My goals for this year:
1) Get fit. More healthy eating, less junk food and much, much more exercise.

2) Christen our son.

3) Get my children enrolled in swimming lessons.

4) Organise finances. With three children a savings strategy of some description is a must.

5) Establish a way to make money by working from home.

6) Do more fun/silly things with my children on a daily basis.

7) Spend a lot more time with extended family and friends.

8) A family holiday to Barbados. My dad is from this beautiful country and I love it there, (wishful thinking but needs to be done). We haven't been on holiday in forever. Aim high I say.

9) Work out how to credit photos properly on blogger, sounds simple but I'm having issues and it's bugging me (any help will be much obliged).

10) Build my blog and meet more inspirational people through the world of blogging.

That's a nice list to be getting on with I think. Certainly doable. Bring it on.

What do you want to achieve in 2012?