To The Pool Again

Yesterday, Matt took the afternoon off from work, and we headed to the pool for another hour long stay (not long, but good enough for the kids). This time, Natalie just stayed in the kiddie pool and always stayed within a few steps from either Matt or me. She sat and played in the water, and used her new jumping skills as well. She really got a kick out of the splash it made when she jumped! Nolan stuck to the slide again. I watched him skip line every time, and surprisingly, none of the kids seemed to mind. I tried explaining to him how he should wait in line until it is his turn, but I don't think this has sunk in yet. He also showed his "boy" behavior at the pool as well. I saw him a couple of times waiting for someone to walk in his path so he could kick some water on them. But, getting splashed is part of the fun in the kids section. There are little steering wheels around the apparatus that allow a child to turn the "waterspouts" on and off. Most kids take a turn or two waiting for a "victim," young or old, to walk by so they can soak them with the shooting water. Nathan sat in the shallow water with Matt or me and seemed so content. Towards the end of the hour though, he was nearly falling asleep in my arms with his feet dangling in the water.

Today, we have decided to stay home. Matt cleaned out our little pool and refilled the water. We've already had the kids out in it today...or at least Nolan. Natalie still prefers to swing outside rather than anything else.

I've also began putting Natalie in the corner just like I do with Nolan. Of course, she only stays for a little bit, but hopefully long enough to get the point. Usually when I put Nolan in the corner, she will walk over to him and cry with him. Yesterday evening, I got on to her about throwing books and told her to stop. She got upset and walked herself to the corner. It was quite comical to see her punish herself (it makes my job easier...hahaha). I think Nolan is appreciating the idea of Natalie being punished too. I guess he is beginning to realize now that she gets in trouble too, and not everything is his fault. He is also taking up for her a little now. This morning I took her blanket away from her to give her lunch. She of course began crying for her "prized" blanket, and then Nolan told me I should give her back her blanket as well. Sometimes I feel I can't win for losing!