CJ Moved From Pike to Eel in Swimming Class

CJ got moved from the Pike to the Eel class in swimming a few weeks ago.  This is CJ's first swimming class ever but he does love the water and he knows how to paddle a little bit, so they moved him up.  The class he was in originally was a little crowded and there were some younger kids who clearly were not comfortable in the water, so I guess it was easier to move CJ up.

CJ is loving his swimming lessons.  I signed him up for two lessons in a row because I figured you can't learn much in a half hour lesson every week.  In the new class, the kids swim around using noodles, they learn to put their face in the water and blow bubbles, they dog paddle on their own a few feet to the edge of the pool, and they jump into the water without the teacher catching them.  CJ loves jumping into the water while wearing his floatie vest but I'm surprised that he doesn't mind jumping in without his vest.  

Oh yeah, kids in the Eel class have to wear goggles.  Maki got CJ a pair of goggles at Sports Authority and CJ just loves them.  He feels like such a big boy in his goggles!

Here's a photo of CJ swimming with a noodle.

Waiting for the class to begin.

Thomas at Rolling River Bridge with Annie and Clarabel

CJ and Maki have been creating ever more elaborate track sets.  This week, they made rolling river bridge in our kitchen.  Check out the video of Thomas pulling Annie and Clarabel, his trusty coaches.

The Problem with a Kid Who Reads

Reading is a big deal in our family. We're a family of readers. I read business books, mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, history. Maki reads a lot of computer books, science fiction and cyberpunk.

So it's no surprise that CJ is an early reader. At first, we thought he had just memorized a lot of books, but his teachers insist he is reading. And since he's trying to sound out words and reading books and signs he's never seen before, I figure it's true, he's reading.

I'm super proud of him, he's super proud of himself, and it's just wonderful to see him read out loud, to me and to himself.

But, it turns out that there is a downside to an early reader. Here are a couple of examples.

CJ and I went to lunch a couple of weeks ago. The waitress gave him the kids' menu and he started reading the list of items: hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken tenders, etc. I said, "CJ, each meal comes with a fruit sald." CJ looked at the menu, then said, "no mama, it says that each meal comes with chips or a fruit sald. I want chips." Hmmmph, I can't fool him anymore.

CJ and I were surfing Amazon together. We were looking for a specific Thomas train called Harvey. Sure enough, we found Harvey and the Amazon search results showed related products. CJ's eyes were popping out at the books, trains and DVDs. He was particularly interested in the DVDs. I tried to fool him by saying, "CJ, you already have that one." But my son was not to be fooled. He would read the titles then let me know which ones he has and which ones he doesn't. In addition to being an early reader, he has a photographic memory when it comes to Thomas the Tank Engine. Hilarious.

I have a friend who told me that once your kids learn to tell time, you can no longer trick them by telling them they have 20 minutes and then calling time after 5. I guess that's coming. :-)