Swimming through the stages

Eli started swimming lessons this week!

Yesterday didn't go very well.  In fact, once I finally got him in the water - yes, I had to plop him in and walk away - all he did was hold onto the edge of the pool and bounce up and down.  At least he was in the water I suppose.  Last night we took him to open swim and he and Jess played in the water for nearly an hour.  They laughed and had a blast!

Today, we went back for day two.  Oh my goodness!  What a difference a day and a daddy make!  He was so excited to jump in the water and he did everything his teacher asked him to do.  He would have done more if he could have.  He was still apprehensive with a few things, but he did not let that get in his way.  He did great!!!

Practicing kicking with his hands out in front of him.

Still kicking!

Climbing out of the pool all by himself.

Getting back in by yourself is a little more challenging.

A couple weeks ago we met Glenn and Cheryle at the Museum of Flight.  This is one of Eli's favorite places.  He routinely asks to go to the "Flight of the Museum" to see the airplanes.  Everytime we go we see something new and different.  There's a lot to see, especially when you have a four-year-old in tow.  

Eli and Daddy checking out one of the planes outside.

Yep, they're pretty stinkin' cute.

Inspecting the different wings on these butterflies.  

Woah!  I was there too!  :)

A WWII Rols Royce airplane engine.  I think Eli was telling us about it.  

Ready for take off.

Finally Enough

...to post a picture!

Here we (me and player-to-be-named later) are at 16 weeks 2 days.  As I was going down the stairs this evening Jess said "wow, the last week you've totally popped.  In a good way of course...."  LOL  That prompted a quick picture to mark the occasion!  At any rate, he is our first picture with Little Winkey #2.

I have a bunch of other pictures that need to be posted too from different things we've been up to, but with only 10 days of school left this year, I have a zillion things to do before I can even think about starting report cards.  YIKES!  I have got to get on that pronto!

T-Ball in the SUN!

Today started absolutely gorgeous.  The sun was shining.  The birds were chirping.  Two teams of three and four year olds were ready to bring it on with a great game of t-ball!  Eli had a great group of supporters today, of course Jess and I were there, so were Grandma and Papa and Sandy, Reid, and Drew!

Ready for the ball

Rearranging the base.

(Not really sure what was going on, but I think he was getting the dirt off)

Running bases

(Doesn't he look so big!  He's getting really tall nowadays)

Rounding third.  Look at him go!

Smiling

(I was on the other side of the fence, hence the fuzzies)

The Lizard-Turtle-Bears giving their end of game cheer.

I love his expression!

Oh, and now is when I add that it is currently raining.  Bye-bye sun.

Mother's Day 2011

Today we had planned on taking Eli to the Museum of Flight, however mid drive, we decided to go to the Mariners game instead.  We ventured to the Light Rail (really, THIS was the highlight for Eli.  He loves the light rail) and on into downtown.

The game was really uneventful, but we had a great time!

Eli was excited to see the Mariner Moose.

The whole family.
Jess, (the Moose), Eli, me, and Titus.

Eli was dying to have cotton candy.  Yes.  He ate the whole thing. 

Well, most of it.  He shared a few gracious bites with me too.

The Game Wasn't Cancelled!

I don't know about anyone else, but I am tired of the cold and rain.  This is ridiculous.  It is May and we've had two days so far that I would consider to be anything close to spring weather.  We'll either not have a summer this year or it will be cold and gross, then BAM!  It will be hot and sunny with no middle ground.

Don't ask me twice.  I'll take that hot and sunny any time.  Yes sir.  Sign me up.  I'm ready.

Eli had an early t-ball game scheduled for this morning at 9:45.  We really thought it would be rained out, as it had been raining all morning.  Well, things cleared up and they let the kids play.  Of course, part way through the rain started again, but what the heck, they only play 3 innings.

Eli was actually the last batter of the game.  He is getting really good at setting his feet, eying the ball and nailing it on the first or second try.  This was his first swing and he klobbered it hard!

After making it to first base early in the game.  You can tell because it isn't raining at the point.  

An Amazing Class

On Saturday, Dusti and went to the most amazing photography class.  It was put on by Val Westover, a photographer who offers classes titled "Capturing True Emotion."  First, Val is an amazing photographer and his prints have been published around the world in various magazines.  We met at the Museum of Flight, which I thought was an interesting venue, but it worked out quite well.  We didn't focus on the planes at all, but more on how to make amazing pictures.  Really, it came down to how do you make your camera work for you, not you working for your camera.  We learned about how to really set yourself up for good pictures by focusing on
1. ISO
2. Aperture
3. Shutter Speed
4. Metering
5. Compose and Shoot

Up until now I have always used one of the preset settings on my camera, although not the basic "green box." I've used portrait, AV(you are only in control of aperture), and TV (you are only in control of shutter speed). Now, I think I could go in primarily MANUAL MODE!!  WOO HOO!!!!!!

Below are a couple pictures from at the class and then today.  They might not be the best composed picture, but the coloring is by far better than what I have seen in a while!

A random railing.  I just thought it turned out neat.

We were working on focusing.  

Dusti and I "shooting" each other.

Such a fun day with a fun neighbor!

We had just gotten ready and an '87 was taking off!

The statue outside the museum.

Little Miss D.

Eli was playing with his Play-doh today.  It was clearly, very interesting!

Focus.  Detail.  Attention.