Those Majeskis know how to party

We took a long weekend to drive to Nashville and celebrate the Majeski family reunion with Chris's mother's side of the family tree. It was so wonderful to see and catch up with so many family members, and the kids had a blast meeting all their extended cousins.

Blowing bubbles. Kinda.

Taylor the dolphin

Sometime early spring I started receiving a few mass-generated emails from our country club about this summer’s CCA Swim Team. Taylor was now five and swimming relatively unassisted, and the only prerequisite to join the team was to be able to swim half the length of the pool. I asked her if she wanted to do it, even naming a few of her friends that would be swimming, and she threw a giant fit, cutting me off before I even finished the word Team, waving her arms in the air, screaming NO! NO! NO! I’m NOT doing that!

So I signed her up.

Well, actually Chris and I had a long talk about it and thought that it might be good for her to try an organized sport in a comfortable environment, especially after such a successful dance season. Plus, if anything else, she would end the summer feeling totally confident in the pool. We don’t do camps. I take my kids to the pool. A lot. I needed her to love the water and want to be in it as much as possible. So I signed her up for swim team.

And I didn’t even tell her until a few days before the season kick-off party. And, OH MY GOODNESS!, the tantrum that followed. And I was all, WHY ARE YOU UPSET? You get to go to the pool and swim with your friends. And people are able to coach you and show you how to become a good swimmer. And you get a special fancy swimsuit and sparkly goggles.

SOLD!

So we went to the kick-off party, got our Dolphin team sweatshirt, ordered our Dolphin team swimsuit, met Coach Cook and then even ate a piece of a cake that was shaped like a Dolphin. Taylor was smiling from ear-to-ear... She was SO excited. And then I browsed through the team info packet and realized that she was scheduled to have swim team practice five days a week. FIVE DAYS A WEEK. What, what?

But then I was assured that it was NOT MANDATORY and she really only needed to come to one or two a week. Which was way more my speed. Especially since the bulk of them were from 6-7 at night.

So the first practice came, and instead of wrangling Luke on the pool deck, Chris stayed home with the little man and I brought Taylor. She was so nervous in the car ride over, and so was I. She kept asking me questions about what they were going to do, and I had really no idea. So I just kept saying, Well, it’s swim team. So I’m sure you’re gonna SWIM. You’ll be awesome! You’re so good at swimming! This is going to be amazing!

But she didn’t just swim, she had to warm up. Like for real warm up. Burpees, y’all. I watched someone teach my five year old daughter how to do a burpee. And she LOVED it! Are you kidding me? The same girl who cries if I put spinach or broccoli on her plate LOVES to do burpees. I don’t even know what to do with that.

So they did some burpees and then bear crawled around the length of the pool. Seriously. I don’t know if I could bear crawl around the pool. That’s hard core.

And after all these tabata-like shenanigans, they tell the kids to jump into the pool and start swimming laps. And I was all, Wait! I was told she only needed to swim HALF the length of the pool. But before anyone heard me, Taylor jumped into the pool and SWAM THE WHOLE LENGTH. And then slapped the edge of the pool and swam back. Without help. All by herself. After doing a crossfit workout.

She did amazing. And even though she didn’t need me to, I walked up and down the length of the pool while she swam, right next to her just so she knew I was there. Smiling at her if she ever got a chance to glance my way and pumping my arm in the air and whooping, Good job, Taylor! I’m so proud of you!

And I was. It was one of my favorite mothering moments yet. That girl is amazing. 

Taylor says buh-bye to preschool

After all of the fun end-of-year events we had been attending in previous weeks, we finally came down to the biggest celebration of all:  Preschool Graduation. That’s right, folks. After two super successful and memorable years at NAP, Miss Taylor Elizabeth Amys is officially done with preschool.

The party was held at a classmate’s house, with all the kids and parents gathering to take pictures, celebrate and commemorate the awesome year. Seriously... I grew so close to each and everyone of these little kids and their parents. And I am thrilled that our paths will be crossing in the coming years, whether it be in the kindergarten halls or at Club events or at special play dates and birthday parties. Those little precious people formed some solid friendships. They all loved each other.

The ceremony was short and sweet. Here is my proud daughter accepting her diploma as Ms Leigh tells everyone what Taylor wants to be when she grows up:

My goodness. I now have a kindergartener on my hands. How in the world did that go so fast?

And the classmate that hosted had a pool, which made the day that much more exciting.

And while we are thrilled to be reaching this point and heading into a wonderful school this fall, it was bittersweet to say Goodbye to NAP. Especially to Taylor’s teach, Ms Leigh. She is an amazing woman who possesses more energy, creativity and patience than anyone else I know. And she took such good care of my baby girl, so I am forever indebted to her.

Oh, Sweet Taylor. I love you to the moon and back time a million. And I hope you always want to be a ballerina.

Papa and Yaya come to town

As I mentioned previously, my parents came to town for a visit during Taylor’s end-of-year preschool festivities. It had been nearly five months since they had seen their grandbabies, and they were eager to spend some quality time with all of us.

It was a wonderful visit, and it made my heart smile to watch my kids interact so lovingly with my parents. And vice versa. That’s a special bond, and even though they don’t see each other as often as they would want, in my mind it’s all about the quality of the moments shared, not the frequency. And this gathering was truly special.

She blinded me with science

Another end-of-year event at NAP is the Pre-K Science Fair. For the past few weeks, Taylor would come home from school squealing, MOM! I have to show you an experiment. I need a bag full of water and a pencil.

Yeah. That’s one of the many reasons why I L-O-V-E preschool. They make the messes away from our house.

So after a weekend of playing with YaYa and Papa, we all gathered back at Taylor’s classroom and were entertained and amazed as each little kid showed us their science experiments.

Taylor partnered with her buddy, Chloe, and they proudly taught us about surface tension, each taking turns shaking pepper and then squeezing dishsoap into a bowl of water.

We had so much fun watching the other kids perform their experiment and sing songs. Who knew science could be that adorable?

In which we set the rule that her brother will always accompany her to prom

One of the more adorable traditions at North Asheville Preschool is the annual Pre-K Prom. They have a DJ come and play music and the director, Ms Madeline, makes her famous punch and parents bring snacks. They even have a grand entrance:

They followed with a little hokey pokey action. That’s Taylor teacher, Ms Leigh, next to her.

Watching Taylor and her little friends run around, dancing and squealing, was awesome enough to begin with, but it was even more special because my parents were visiting and able to take it all in as well.

Luke had a hard time adjusting to the dark and loud music, so my Dad was in charge of keeping him happy. And he did a very good job of filling his full of snacks and finding the kid’s lounge.

But after the sugar found his blood stream, Luke became a lot more fun.

Dance music, snacks and friends. Pure happiness.