Crikey it's the start of May tomorrow, and the weather has finally warmed up (only a few weeks ago we had snow - no kidding), I can now head to the office sans coat and not have to worry that I might freeze to death on the way.
The new job is going well.. working for a private company is much more demanding than the laid back government job I just left - I miss that a little - but the pay off is much higher, in that I mean that I am working on 2 projects that have a deadline within the next couple of months, so there is no time to hang about, which makes for a fast paced productive work ethic. My boss is great and the rest of the team are awesome to work with, and so far the small company dynamic has turned out to work well.
This last weekend was packed full. I had promised Lisa that I'd mulch the garden with her, so last Saturday we all went out with shovels in hand and worked on a couple of the beds that looked worst for wear. Lisa pulled weeds and I dumped mulch (under strict supervision because plants and weeds all look the same to me). Simon helped with the mulch and collecting of pulled weeds from the ground and Bella.... well Bella, bless her heart, picked daises and played with rocks. When the neighbors kid came over to visit, Bella was overjoyed because her name is Lola, the same as her favorite TV show "Charlie and Lola."
I was very proud of Simon on Sunday - this was Simon's first swim lesson at the local pool. Simon is a little afraid of change, so Lisa and I had prepped him all week about him going swimming, and so on Sunday morning he didn't freak out when he saw the swimming pool. We arrived a little earlier, and I was hoping to take him into the water before lesson, but I was told that would not be possible since no life guard was on duty at that time - understandable. So Simon and I watched from the spectators gallery until it was time for the lesson to start.
Having never been to a kids swim lesson as a parent, and it having been so many years since I learned to swim at school, I was not sure what to expect. As it happens I was pleasantly surprised. The instructor was very nice, informative, and sensitive to apprehensive children. None of the kids had to do any of the exercises if they were scared, but were encouraged to have fun. To start with we all sat at the edge of the water and splashed our feet, that was followed by wetting our hair with plastic watering cans, and blowing of bubbles in the water with our faces. Simon wasn't too keen on putting his face in the water, but hey, my first lesson was spent sitting on the side of the pool , at least the lad was in the pool. The last exercise was quite clever, the instructor (Dorothy) gave out weighted colored hoops, which sank to the bottom of the pool, the object was to pick the hoop up with your hands by reaching down into the water. Simon, immediately figured out that he could hook the ring using his foot, but with a little persuasion from Dad was able to reach down and grab the hoop a number of times with his hand. All in all - a great first lesson.
After swimming, Simon and I met Lisa and Bella at an arbor day festival, which was entertaining for a few hours. Lisa could have stayed all day, but I had my fill of trees and horticulture after a couple of hours. Simon, Bella, and I all agreed that the free popcorn and tractor hay ride was much better than looking at trees.
I topped off Sunday afternoon by mowing the grass around the house, which pleased Simon no end, because he knows he always gets to ride the tractor when I am done. I do not think I have ever seen him smile quite as big as when he is driving my mower around the property - a few more years and maybe he'll be able to mow for me 
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