swim lessons, etc.

No pictures to post today, but I thought I would still write an update on what we're into. Lauren Clay started swim lessons this morning and seemed to enjoy them. Her favorite part was jumping in from the side of the pool. The teacher encouraged parents to maintain contact with the child so he/she would not be nervous, but Lauren Clay did her usual count and dive off the side. Other kids cried the whole time. While Lauren Clay was pretty tentative and clingy during most of the lesson, she didn't cry. We learned some good strategies for helping children feel comfortable in the water. I look forward to seeing how much the class progresses over the next two weeks. Lauren Clay and I also met our friend Jill for lunch at Chik-fil-A. All the Miss Kentucky contestants were there as well (sitting in the section next to us.) The Chik mascot came out to greet the girls and stopped by our table to say hi. I was surprised that Lauren Clay didn't get nervous; she even waved back at the cow when he came up to her, and she didn't draw back when he patted her on the head. After we left, she kept saying, "I want big cow, mommy."
Lauren Clay's new thing as of this weekend is to talk to the neighbors out her (new) window. John replaced both windows in her room, so we can easily open them. She stands at the window and yells, "Missa Steve! Miss Beth!" Whether or not she gets their attention, she talks to them. This weekend she told them about Goofy, told them where Henry was and what he was doing, showed them her Cinderella doll, and even read them books. She'd get out a book and say a few words (which were actually related to the book she was holding), then hold the book up for them to see. It's precious from this standpoint, but it might drive the neighbors crazy!