More Swimming and the Broadmoor

We had quite the weekend.  Saturday, Bode had his second swim lesson at Donna's Dolphins.  Here are some action photos.  I can't provide much commentary because I was not at the lesson.  Ashley said Bode did great.  He listened to all the instructions, did everything he was told, and was starting to look comfortable in the water.  She said it was very funny when Bode went down the slide (last picture).  He'd never gone down a slide into the water like this one, so at the bottom, he puts the breaks on and comes to a halt, not knowing he should have kept going into the pool.  Very cute.

The reason I did not go to the swim lesson is I ran a race Saturday morning.  Nothing major--four miles.  My goal time for a great race was 26:00, and I ran a 26:19, so I was very pleased (~6:35 per mile pace).  In Colorado Springs, this is good enough for EIGHTH PLACE in my age group.  Yes, 8th.  Usually, I was in the top three or four in local races in Dayton.  And it's not that I'm slower--the pace for this distance this early in the year was very good (for me).  Oh well...I guess I'll have to train harder :-)

Today was a day to eat.  We went to the Broadmoor for their famous Sunday brunch.  We ate a small dinner Saturday night, and Ashley and I both worked out early Sunday morning.  Come brunch, we were famished.  Even Bode knew not to eat so much for breakfast because we were heading to a major buffet.  We decided to wear our nice clothes, probably because we rarely have an occasion to do so.  Before we left and since the day was lovely, we decided to take some pictures.  First up is Bode and Mommy.

Next, Mommy took a picture of Daddy and "Hollywood."

Of course, Bode wanted to take a picture of Daddy and Mommy.  Evidently he needs to point the camera a little higher.

We drove to the Broadmoor in the Beamer, parked, and walked to the feast.  Hard to believe it is January in Colorado...

We had about ten minutes to spare, so we sat by the fountain.  In this first picture, I look a little stiff.

Mommy suggested we loosen up a bit, and nothing loosens us up like the Tickle Monster.

The food smelled great, and we were getting anxious to eat.  Fortunately, our name was called and we headed inside.

We had a great meal--eggs, sausage, bacon, salmon, gigantic shrimp, duck, roast beef, an assortment of fruits, pancakes, waffles, and a bunch of desserts.  I think we both made three trips--but we didn't really pile on the food like we could when we were younger :-)  Bode ate his fill, and really enjoyed the chocolate fountain.

Before going home, we decided to walk around the property to try to burn off some of those pounds.  A passerby was kind enough to take our picture.  I've no idea what Bode was doing...

We were lazy this afternoon.  Bode and I went up to the pool for about an hour, and now I'm really feeling the effects--I think I've mentioned how tired I am after we go swimming.  It's only 4:45, and I'm ready for bed :-)  Pleasant week to all.

Donna's Dolphin

Wow, first post of the New Year.  Who would have thought it would be 19 days into 2013 before we would do something blog-worthy.  Sadly, we've been lazy and boring people.  Plus, the weather has been horrible--the week school started, highs were in the 20's.  The highs!  Horrible.  Of course, we do live in the mountains, so I guess I should not act startled by these low temperatures.  On one Saturday, I did a running race.  Temp at the start-gun was a balmy 15 degrees.  I did NOT wear shorts, although there were some (fools) who did.  I have another race next Saturday, and I think the temps will be a bit warmer, which should translate to a faster time (yes, I'm saying it was too cold for me to run fast, and I'm standing by that story :-)

Today, Bode had a swim lesson.  We've been to the pool at the health club, and the little guy loves it.  However, he's not really swimming when we are in the pool.  He runs around, does the slide, and will even venture into water that is up to his shoulders, but if his feet can't touch, he's history.  We have some friends whose kids are actually swimming in the pool, diving under water, retrieving toys.  Therefore, we decided to enlist the aid of a professional swim organization in an effort to get Bode his swimmer badge.  The instruction is one-on-one, so there's no chance for him to get lost in the crowd.  Thirty minutes with a teacher and Bode solo in the pool.  I didn't think he would do well, as whenever I have tried to teach him to swim, he quickly loses interest and wants nothing of it.  Fortunately, this was not the case.  Here are some action photos.  First up is Bode being carried around the pool with Miss Mel, getting to know each other, and establishing trust.

Next, they did some fun things, like blowing bubbles in the pool.

Then, Miss Mel helped Bode practice putting the side of his head and then his face in the water.  It kinda looks like she is drowning him, but he was having tons of fun.

Next, they did the "starfish" position, or back-float.  I'm amazed Bode did this, because any time I ever tried to get him to do this, he would scream and freak out.  Evidently I'm not the best of swim instructors.  Hopefully my EE instruction is better.

Here is a short movie of Bode floating.  He looks like a log.

He also practiced floating on his tummy with his arms on two kick-boards, and he was even doing a mini-dive into the water, putting his arms above his head and lunging toward the wall.  At the end was a bit of play time in the big canoe.

Bode has a second lesson next Saturday.  I'm tempted to take him up to the pool and see if we can recreate some of what he did this first lesson, but I'm afraid I'll do more harm that good :-)  Ashley and I did a yoga class today.  It was great--and not only because the hot twenty-something in front of me was wearing black-stretch pants that, after numerous cycles through the washing machine, had become somewhat, ah, err, diaphanous.  Downward dog has never been more fun.  Happy MLK weekend to all.