after a week long break, swim lessons started up again. when we were at the pool yesterday, i checked to see when they would be and who Skye's instructor would be. big mistake. it was a guy named Tucker. Skye looked at me horrified. she didn't say anything, but later in the evening, she said, "i'm too tired to go swimming tomorrow." i had to think fast. how to get her to the swim lesson without having a meltdown?

Skye smiled with relief to see the storm clouds rolling in and to hear the thunder this morning. i called the pool to see if they had closed, but they were sort of standing by to see if it would clear up. half an hour before class, the sky cleared up. Skye refused to go to the pool, so finally i said, "Skye, let's at least give this guy a try - who knows, he may be a great teacher and if he is, you'll miss out. and if you don't like him after today, we can switch to another teacher." that got her out of the house. at the pool, she grabbed my leg and refused to let go. and it didn't help that the other girl in Skye's group was screaming her head off and holding tightly to her mother. poor Tucker! but the coordinator was great. he took us over to another teacher, Hannah, and asked Skye, "will you go in with her?" Skye smiled and jumped right into the pool. honestly, i'm not sure Hannah looked any more friendlier than Tucker, but girls will be girls.

Claire is busy cruising around. not quite stable on her legs, but nevertheless, is happiest when she's standing. the other day at the pool, she grabbed the side of the pool and stood up (in the wading pool)!