Connor and Jacob enjoyed the firework show tonight.

Jacob loved it so much he stood in between my legs as I laid on the grass and was dancing and slapping my leg to the sound of the music and fireworks exploding. We had a front row seat…literally 10 feet from the edge of the water and the barge was another 200 yds away in the water.

Connor covered his ears the whole time, but he was not at all scared. He enjoyed it!

Best of all, traffic was next to nothing! We got there at 8:45pm and were home by 10:15pm. Not bad for a front row seat! (I know where we will be watching fireworks for the next 18+ years.)

Here is a video clip of some of it and a quick view of Jacob enjoying it…

Ok…it didn’t go like I figured. He was nervous, cried, and refused to get in the pool.

I did not want to make this an ordeal that he would remember forever and that would make him frightened of the water, so I followed the lead of the instructor. She had me hand him to her twice.  Both times he cried and got out of the pool. So out he came and he stood by me. We watched the other two little kids (twin brother and sister) in his class from a short distance and I talked to him. I told him he knew how to do everything they were doing.  He kept saying “No.”  (which was not true.)

After 40 mins of watching…this is how the last 10 minutes of class went down…

It was time for them to jump into the pool while holding Ms. Britney’s (the instructor) hands. I watched him as he paid more attention…it was my time…I had to strike…it was now or never…

Daddy — “Look at that…they are jumping in just like you do with Daddy.”
Connor — nodding his head in agreement.
Daddy — “I know you can do that. That is easy…”
Connor — nodding his head and now not plastered to my legs. He actually took a half step towards the pool.
Daddy — “Go ahead…tell Ms. Britney you can jump if you hold her hands.”
Connor walked over on his own and I got Ms. Britney’s attention…
Daddy — “Ms. Britney, Connor can jump into the pool if he can hold your hands. He does this with Daddy all the time.”
Ms. Britney — “Sure, come on Connor it will be fine.”
Before she could even get a could grip of his hands he was in the pool and in her arms. She was surprised. I was clapping and cheering him on!

He was then off with the other two kids playing with toys and sitting on the pool step.  At the end of class, he walked over to Ms. Britney and gave her a BIG HUG.  That’s my boy!

I was proud of my little boy and I was proud of how I handled the situation.  I didn’t force him, I did make him watch what they were doing, and I didn’t leave with him when he asked.  When I saw an opportunity, I jumped on it and we were successful together!

I love you little buddy!

Daddy

Click on the image below to see more…

Connor riding to the parade. (Not the best video, but you get the idea.)

Connor and Jacob riding the the parade. Jacob rode with Connor for about 1/2 mile and loved it!

Pictures to follow later!