We have recently had a problem getting Ali out of the pool. Last week John got so frustrated that she lost all swimming privileges for the next two weeks. Unfortunately, we have Amy and her kids coming this week to swim with us so that wasn't going to work out very well. We decided we needed to come up with a way for her to earn back swimming. We could have her do extra chores but it didn't seem like that punishment really related to the crime. Then I got this great idea from a friend who has their kids write essays as a form of punishment. Of course, their kids are in grade school and can actually write but we figured we could modify this enough to make it work. So, John and I came up with a list of questions for Ali to answer that would lead her essay in the right direction. I was the scribe as she answered all the questions. Then we put it into essay form and typed it up. Ali had to read it aloud to John and get a 'pass' in order to earn back swimming. She did a good job and now she has something to read before we go swimming each time as a little reminder of how we expect her to behave. :)
Here is Ali's essay:
Why It’s Important to Obey at the Pool
By Alicyn Love (July 22, 2008)
Not obeying at the pool is a bad choice and will have bad consequences. It is important to obey Mom and Dad at the pool so you won’t get stuck in the water and die from drowning. If you don’t obey, you’ll lose swimming. You will feel very sad and Mom and Dad will be upset.
The rules of swimming at the pool are:
1. Don’t get in when Mom and Dad aren’t looking.
2. When it’s time to go, get out of the pool and go.
3. If Mom and Dad tell you to do something in the pool, do it the first time they ask and right away.
4. Don’t go in the deep end without Dad or Mom. That means no monkey walking to the stairs at the deep end by yourself.
5. Don’t run by the pool or you may slip with wet feet and fall in the water or get hurt on the cement.
When you obey the rules at the pool you feel very, very happy and everyone else is happy too. It is a good choice to obey at the pool and you will have good consequences like being able to go swimming every time you want. You can also invite friends to come over and swim too.
The End
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday the 13th
Actually, our Friday the 13th (in June) turned out pretty wonderful. It was Ali's big day. It started off with Preschool Graduation. Here is Ali signing Teacher Vicki's memory book.
Here's Ali getting ready for the big moment with Morgan and Gabi.
Being Silly- what Ali does best.
The Procession. (I have to admit that I got pretty choked up- what happened to my baby???)
Class of 2008
Ali and Teacher Vicki
After a celebratory ice cream cone at Baskin Robbins, we headed home to get ready for our second big event- Mini Olympics. I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the pictures- the lighting was really bad in the gym and the camera kept focusing on the people's heads in front of us instead of Ali.
Here's Ali marching out with her class.
Here's the beginning of the floor routine...
and the end.
All the participants got trophies. Ali was so proud! She just kept talking about her "First Trophy Ever!!".
Here's Ali with her coach Jane. Ali just loves her- she has just the right temperament for Ali.
Finally a few random pics after the show:
Thursday, July 03, 2008
A Blast From The Past
Here is Ali's most famous video.
This is Ali singing her trick or treat song. She's about 2 1/2 here.
Here is Ali "reading" the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. This may just be my favorite of all the videos. She's at the part where Cindy Lou Who comes out and catches the Grinch. I love how Ali does the voice of Cindy.
We hope you had as much fun going down memory lane as we did.
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