Let's Play Catch-Up

Prior to yesterday's swim lesson post, I hadn't posted any pictures in far too long! I update my Facebook page with lots (and lots!) of pictures, I just haven't made it over here to the blog to post them yet. I'm basically just going to dump a whole bunch of photos on ya from the last few months.

I've had a blast honing my photography skills as I have started my Harley Jay Photography business. I'm so grateful to have three little subjects at my disposal to test out all sorts of new tricks and techniques. ;)

Here are some photos from February:

Checking out the elephants at the L.A. Zoo

Cracking each other up!

Valentine's Day!

Cousins :)

Ava hanging out with the big girls!

And some March favorites:

  

Celebrating Papa Bato's 60th Birthday

Watching cousin Brandon play in a high school baseball game

Testing out my Easter mini photo shoot set

A couple of days before Easter

Sorry for overloading you with pictures! But now we're all caught up. :) Hoping to keep updating the blog often from now on. 

Jake's First Swim Lesson

Jake is getting to be such a big boy! He'll be 2 1/2 on Sunday. Taking him to swim lessons today reminded me how big he's getting and how fast it's going. Danny and I were tripping all night over the fact that he's in swim lessons, talking so much, growing taller, counting...someone make him stop growing right now.

Back to the purpose of this post: his first swim lesson was today! We signed him up at Water Safe Swim School in Seal Beach, and he'll be going once a week. We arrived a little early, and Jake sat on the bench nervously watching the kids swim in the pool. He looks a little skeptical in this picture:

There is a little sectioned off area where kids can play on the steps while they wait for the instructor to start their lesson, but Jake did not want to join them. When it was time for Jake's lesson to start, Mr. Geoff helped him into the water and that's when the wailing began! He basically cried for the next 15 minutes straight. 

His instructor was great with him, though! Would continue on with the lesson, having him dunk underwater, trying different toys to engage him, teaching Jake to hold onto the railing on the little floating platforms scattered around the pool. Jake was terrified every time Mr. Geoff let him go, he wanted him to hold him the whole time. Towards the end, the instructor just held Jake, told him to "hug" him, and Jake calmed down and rested his head on Mr. Geoff's shoulder. They floated around in the pool like that for several minutes, and soon Jake was giving him high fives and giving half smiles. When it was time for Jake to get on the floating device, he happily got on and kicked his legs as they swam towards me and the girls on the pool deck.

See? No more tears!

Jake LOVES the water, but his reaction today didn't surprise me. It takes my boy a long time to get used to new things, but I know sooner than later he'll be hopping in that pool and eager to learn.