activities

Emma’s Ballet Recital

May 18, 2009

‘Dance Magic’ class began last August, but Emma didn’t join until January 5th, 2009. The class was for 3 & 4 year-old kids. Emma was only 2 at the time, so we waited for her to turn 3 before beginning ballet. In January when I mentioned it to her, she seemed very excited to begin. I wasn’t sure she would go for it once she found herself in a room without me so we did a “trial” class. She did great! I was so proud of her. She went right in and sat down on the balance beam along with the other ballerinas. Before long, you couldn’t tell she was the new ballerina…she really caught up quickly. Now, here we are at the end of the semester and Emma has completed her very first ballet class.

Ms. Megan, her ballet instructor, was such a great teacher. Emma spoke very highly of her and would even pretend to be her. She really looked forward to every single class. The part I have enjoyed the most has been watching her beautiful smile as she dances and twirls all around the studio watching herself in the mirror.

Filed Under: activities, ballet, featured Tagged With: activities, ballet, recital

Emma Swim Class #2 Videos

September 8, 2008

Emma doing the back stroke

Emma holding her breath

Filed Under: activities, doctor, Elena, Emma, Mark, swimming, technology, video

Swim Class #2

September 8, 2008

Last weeks swim lesson was canceled because her instructor was sick. We took Emma to the pool anyway and swam with her to practice the skills she had learned in her first lesson. When we attended her second lesson today, Emma’s skill had improved. It’s quite amazing because we can see visible improvements from one lesson to the next. During her first lesson she was taught how to “blow bubbles” in the water through her mouth. A concept she struggled with. We practiced the day her teacher was sick and concentrated on emphasizing blowing before submerging her mouth into the water (as initially she was attempting to submerge her head, draw water into her mouth and then spit it out). During today’s class we practiced that skill as well as some basic swim strokes as well as holding her breath under water. Miss Lauren provided some flotation devices so the children could focus on propelling themselves with their arms and legs without worring about staying buoyant. Emma did really good today. Her Mom and I are extremely proud of her. 🙂

Emma “bubble blowing” practice

Emma proudly showing Miss Lauren her “bubble-blowing” skill

Emma practicing some swim strokes

Look at that outboard motor kick!

Emma holding her breath under water (for 4-6 seconds)

Emma standing on the top step of the ladder. Looks like trouble is on the way.

Emma jumping into the water

Filed Under: activities, All, Elena, Emma, swimming

Emma’s 1st Swim Lesson

September 3, 2008

I know I have said it several times already but Emma really loves water in all shapes and forms. She loves to drink it, touch it, splash it, soak in it, submerse herself in it, bathe in it, etc. As a result, today we started Emma in swimming lessons. It’s the most introductory of courses designed to create confidence and comfort in the water. Emma is frighteningly fearless which is clearly a concern for me and her Mother. I want her to have fun, but also emphasize her need to listen to our instructions and respect the water. During her first class Emma’s instructor Lauren taught her how to kick, push off the wall, float on her back, and blow bubbles through her mouth. Emma didn’t quite get the mechanics involved with blowing bubbles in the water and would take in water to spit back out in an attempt to blow bubbles. I am really happy and impressed with what Emma was able to accomplish in her first lesson and the wide ear-to-ear smile she had during the whole class was priceless.

Emma with her Mom in the water.

Swim instructor Lauren teaches Emma how to push-off the wall.

Emma pushing off the wall on her back.

Emma practicing kicking with her Mom.

Filed Under: activities, Elena, Emma, swimming

Girl Over Board!

May 12, 2008

I wasn’t kidding when I said that Emma loved the water. In this picture, Elena can be seen giving Emma “the dip”. This is the process whereby Emma sits on Elena’s feet partially submerged in the water and Elena hoists her up so that Emma hovers above the surface. Then after a few second hold, Emma is lowered back into the water below, to which she shrieks and laughs and then says, “More”. Sharing Emma’s awe and wonderment to the world around her is probably the greatest pleasure Elena and I can have. Little by little Emma grows a little older, a little wiser, and we allow her to experience things in new ways.

Filed Under: activities, All, Elena, Emma

Emma Loves H2O

May 9, 2008

We went to the lake last weekend and rented a row boat. Emma was literally jumping off the boat and into the drink. She is fearless when it comes to water. She really can’t get enough. Once we returned to land we let her play in the shallow end. The rough, sandy shore and tadpoles did not bother her one bit.

Filed Under: activities, Emma

Frog Fest 2008

April 15, 2008

This year we attended Frog Fest 2008. Since we are new to the area and I come from parts where the celebration of Frogs is not the norm I did not know what to expect. What was it that the locals find appealing about frogs that would cause them to hold a whole festival in their honor? We packed our things and left to investigate.

Although we arrived early, the parking lot was already at capacity. A sign directed us a mile and a half down the road to where a very organized crowd patiently awaited the shuttle bus that ferried eager frog-lovers to the festival. We parked our car and joined the family-friendly group that boarded the next bus.

At the park frog-themed stations were set up to educate children (young and old) about the natural and environmental challenges frogs face. Although frogs were the creature of honor at this event, it was clear that it was designed to create awareness as to the consequences of human actions on the environment and the animals that live in it.

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Filed Under: activities, All, Elena, Emma, family, Mark

Go! Diego Go!

April 6, 2008

On March 21st we took Emma to see “Go! Diego Go!” at the Convention Center. It was a live performance and Emma really enjoyed the show. This picture was taken outside prior to the performance.

Filed Under: activities, All, Emma

That’s My Girl!

March 17, 2008

I know it’s been a while but as they say, “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”. Elena, Emma and I have been really busy with our business and have had very little time for personal endeavors. As a result, it’s been really difficult for me to get around to posting updates to this site. I hope that by doing so now I can somehow get back into the habit of making regular updates.

Emma is growing up so fast. She talks a lot now. She enjoys watching “Diego”, “Word World” (Which is a great show by the way!), and “Little Einsteins”. She also loves to sing and play in the park. A couple of weeks ago I went to the park with Emma and she really wanted to climb the “big kids” wall. I instructed her on where to place her hands and feet and how she should always have three of her appendages secured before attempting to grab a new foot-hold. She climbed to the top twice and was super excited about being able to accomplish this. I can’t believe how far we have come. It seems like it was just the other day when all she could do was lay on her back and poke at the mobile dangling above her. I believe Elena’s commitment to taking Emma to the “Little Gym” is paying off. Emma is quite the gymnast.