Tyan's Photoblog
Boys in pool
Posted by tyan (Singapore, Singapore) on 28 July 2009 in People & Portrait.
Every morning I wake up, I am beginning to feel thankful that I had the privilege to stay home to be with the boys. I do feel lonely at times, and feel comforted when i can have conversations with the grans, moms at Caleb's school and even the cleaning lady at the mall. I wish my mom would call me to tell me about trivial things, and i wish my dad would lunch with me. I know that sounds pathetic, but I am thankful for the time i have with the kids. And God just encourages me in little ways. Just last week, I was pushing the twin stroller, exhausted from walking non-stop for almost 2 hours. This stranger came up to me, gave me this really motherly smile and asked if the boys were twins. I smiled and said 'no', and she said,'神赐你力量'(meaning May God grant you strength) and walked away. 我顿时力大无穷，haha.
Anyway, I brought the boys swimming today after school. I am beginning to really enjoy the boys more now that they are so interactive, more aware of their environment and independent.I'll probably have a new set of worries when they start formal education so I really treasure their preschool years.
I think Caleb is ready for swimming lessons. We are still considering whether we should send him for formal swimming lessons. He can flip sideways in water like a dolphin, comfortable with using goggles and can hold his breath and blow bubbles in the water. We chase dragonflies that hovers above the kids' pool and play 'Jaws'(Guess who's the Jaws.)
Ian still seems very cautious of the water and refuses to waddle on his own except when he is at the pool steps. And he is really possessive nowadays, refuses to let me carry Caleb, nor any other kid for that matter, and when he sees me carrying his brother in the water, he comes running and demands that I carry him instead. So that got me to realise that I havent had one-to-one time with Caleb for a very long time. At first I felt bad. But then again, i think kids are highly adaptive and they will just adjust accordingly. Then again, it will be nice if I can have more time with him alone.
Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom
There is some ace posing going on here . . these boys are ready for the movies !!
28 Jul 2009 2:58pm
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
Very comfortable on their end of the camera, for sure.
28 Jul 2009 4:07pm
Sue from Sydney, Australia
I love your commentary today. I too am basking in the happiness of having kids by my side now...the hugs & kisses from all 3. Plus the friends I have made here have really gone out of their way to make me feel like I really belong. I'm glad we are both finding peace and happiness in this season of our lives :)
29 Jul 2009 4:47am
cindy brown from United States
Oh this is wonderful!! All your children are gorgeous!!
29 Jul 2009 12:11pm
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
Such a cute shot...love the swimming goggles :)
29 Jul 2009 8:16pm
Jayne Chua from Singapore, Singapore
hey tyan, which pool do you usually go to? And how deep is the water in the baby pool? When we finally move, I'll lose the luxury of having a private pool and will have to go public, but just not sure how to manage Kate and Jamie if the water is too high...
30 Jul 2009 4:06am
@Jayne Chua: hi babe,i go to the one at Serangoon.Its an old complex and not many people.Its wading pool is 0.5m,up to Ian's below-chest.I remember bishan doesnt have wading pool but they have a 1m pool for play.But i think 1m a bit too high for the kids.unless they wear float?:)
Rabbit from Richmond, United States
Tyan - i was thinking of you the 2nd day of my teaching. I teach 4 classes a day different age ranges. starting with 4-6 year olds and ending with 12-14 year olds. Let me just say, the only thing I could imagine wearing me out more is being a mom! I came home and smiled very exhausted & though WOW to all the moms in the world, especially moms with more than 1 little one.
As for swimming lessons - I LOVED the water, I never had any formal lessons until I took a swimming class in college. In that class I learned how to swim properly, for like swim team style, but otherwise without the lessons, I was one of the best swimmers in the class. I will also say that a couple years ago I was caught in a rip current in the ocean. (I didn't know what this was at the time, nor how to get out!) Talk about scary - ALL i knew is that the ocean was carrying me and my sweetheart away and I was getting further and further from land. Finally with all my might I swam to shore (against the current) I crawled out and was able to go get help for my dear sweetheart who got carried all the way out into the ocean. Some surfers were able to rescue him. I am so thankful.
So what do you gather from that. If your little boy loves to swim and is doing good on his own, he won't need lessons. When he goes to school, if they have swimming or a swim team, they will teach him how to do the strokes properly. Either way if he is keeping himself afloat he must be doing something right ;)
30 Jul 2009 4:20am
@Rabbit: Gosh i am so glad you are alright! I got a fright reading about the rip current you went through. I am relieved you and sweetheart are safe and sound. Reminded me of my honeymoon trip to Cairns years back. We did rafting and husband fell under raft and disappeared into water.Gosh i thought i was going to lose him.Thanks for the advice.you are right,i guess i'll just wait till he goes to school.:)
Shiyun from Singapore
Hey, Edgar just started taking swim lessons on sunday aftn at Sengkang pool. If you want, i'll get the contact for you :) Nice pic, sun and 2 shuai ges...
30 Jul 2009 11:10am
@Shiyun: thanks,i'll sms you if i need it.maybe next year.:)
Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States
Relax, Mom ... they're being normal children. Why don't you them them about buoyancy and let them hold Mommy in the water! <grin> ... The swimming strokes will come when they are ready. xx
30 Jul 2009 6:06pm
spots from Singapore, Singapore
Hiyee.... Dan jus had his first swim lesson yesterday and he loved it :) If you need a good swim teacher, I wld recommend ours :)
2 Aug 2009 6:48am
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