Austin

Austin has made some great changes the last few months. The biggest report we have is a new development. He has learned to swim! We were giving him a few chances here at home to swim without his vest on in the two feet section of the pool, and he was doing really well with it. This past weekend, while we were in Peachtree City, the vest came off, and Austin never looked back. He was jumping off the diving board and swimming to Jared several feet away. I was so impressed! My goal was to have him swimming by himself by the end of the summer, so for him to be swimming already is amazing, especially because he has never taken a swim lesson. He puts his head down in the water and motors his little legs. I'm so proud of him!

During Aidan's school year, I got the opportunity to take Austin with me several times while I helped out in the classroom. The most recent was an ice cream party. Austin had a great time, and he feels so proud that all the "big kids" know his name.

Austin is ready for preschool to start. I've explained that he gets to pick out his own backpack, so he's really jazzed about that. Now that's he's coming out of his shell so much, I'm not as worried about the transition. Now I'm more worried about how much trouble he'll get into. One of his and Aidan's favorite things to quote is from Alvin and the Chipmunks, and they go around singing, "Dave likes to wear... dirty underwear." It's awesome. :-) Their big cut downs are calling each other "pee pee" and "poo poo." I'm counting my blessings that this is as bad as it gets right now. :-)

Austin is a speed demon on his bike, and I have to sprint to keep up with him. It's far too much exercise for me, so I might need to start thinking about taking the training wheels off soon. As quickly as he learned to swim, maybe I should give it a shot. :-)

We've been working on cutting and gluing and Austin writing his letters by himself. He is like a sponge, so it makes me feel terrible that I haven't been better about working with him. I think we'll "play" lots of school this summer to make sure he's mastered all of his pre-school skills by the time August comes. :-)