Tag Archives: swim

The Gift of Goldfish!

06 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

IMG_9963IMG_3374IMG_4125IMG_3383IMG_3387

Oh my goodness–how has it already been another four weeks of lessons at Goldfish?!  I am telling you, time is flying!!  Everytime I post an update, I look back at all of the old updates and I am just in awe of how much our little one has changed and grown over these last few months.
First lesson
Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {2}!
Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {3}!
Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {4}!
Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {5}!
That first lesson was absolutely terrifying.  I really thought I was going to die of embarrassment.  And now I see other littles at their first lesson and I salute to that mama in solidarity.  Most kids are just fine at their first lesson–I think it depends on a lot of factors; time of day, temperament of your kiddo, your uncomfortableness at being in a swimsuit in December, etc…
But truly, from screaming and only consoled by the demonstration baby to waving her little ribbon at me and saying “MAMA CHEEEEEEEESE!!!” because she wanted me to take her picture is probably one of my favorite milestones for her.  She was so proud and my heart just shattered into a million pieces.

Over the last two years, my favorite thing to do is get out and explore and do things with my kiddos.  I love seeing them experience new things, meeting people, getting out there and seeing what this world has in store for them.  This year for the holidays, I am hoping to snag up a few deals to get out and do this year.

This year, Goldfish is offering the gift of experience for a serious deal.  For only $205, you get everything listed below:

$193 Family Credit at Goldfish Swim School
2 Family Swim Passes at Goldfish Swim School
Bundlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes
2 Kids Meals from Texas Roadhouse – Polaris
2 Child Admission Passes to ZipZone Outdoor Adventures Kids Park
1 Large One-Topping Pizza from Jets Pizza
1 Jar of Pure Peanut Butter from Crazy Richard’s
1 Preview Class at Gymboree Play & Music
1Half Dozen Donuts from Duck Donuts
1- 5 oz cup from Menchie’s
2- 30 Minute Passes to Sky Zone
1 Child’s Nail Polish from Sweet & Sassy
1 Philly Sandwich from Charleys Philly Steaks
2 Ice Skate Rentals from The Chiller
1 Kids Meal from Matt The Miller’s Tavern
1 $50 Gift Certificate from Aaron Taylor Photography
3- Two Hour Play Passes to Recreations Outlet
2 Adult Admission Tickets to the Arnold SportsWorld Expo for Kids & Teens
1 Class at Barre3 in Powell
1 Attraction Pass to Magic Mountain Fun Center

The basket is sold for $205 and the value is well over $500, and it can be purchased at Goldfish Swim School in Dublin or Westerville.

What are some things you have given your kiddos that are more experience based vs. material gifts?  Any deals you know of in Columbus?  Like I said, we love to get out of the house!

Hope you are all having a great week!! Stay tuned for a SIX MONTH Claire update happening soon!!
Erin

*This post was sponsored by Goldfish, but all opinions, as always, are my own!

Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {5}!

31 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

IMG_2449IMG_2398IMG_2420IMG_2422IMG_2683IMG_2690
Oh my gosh you guys.  If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen that we’ve picked up Monday night swim lessons.  We loved our Saturday slot, but life gets in the way and we just couldn’t make weekends happen anymore.  BUT.  The best part about Goldfish is that they are literally the nicest about canceling.  Trust me, I know.  Between having a newborn and a wily toddler, taking on a new position at school, and the busyness of fall, I have made more than my fair share of “we aren’t going to make it today” phone calls to Goldfish.  The best part is that all you have to do is call, even one minute before your lesson starts and cancel if you cannot make it.  Once the lesson passes, you get a credit for a makeup.  You can then use that makeup for another class or for family swim time!  And they are seriously so nice and answer on like the second ring.

Since the last lesson, E has picked up quite the vocabulary.  She now says 2-3 word sentences and we are loving all she has to say about the “poo”.  But, I’m also very glad that I am behind the glass while she’s chatting to the instructors about how “dad in poo”.  So awkward, that toddler language.  She loves her time in the pool and we now have a hard time getting her out, which is a far cry from her first lesson (she’s so little!).

I just love how far she has come from 13 months to 22 months at Goldfish.  She freely goes to the instructor, splashes said instructor when it is absolutely not appropriate, refuses to go on her back, plops up on the ledge, readily jumps back in, and just giggles the whole time.
I’d say that’s a pretty solid way to spend a Monday night.  Now, we just need to get sissy started!!

Erin

*This post was sponsored by Goldfish, but all opinions, as always, are my own!

Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {3}!

19 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

IMG_6378IMG_6382IMG_6414IMG_6421IMG_6437IMG_6453IMG_6479IMG_6488IMG_6493IMG_5536

Good morning!! Eleanor has officially graduated to mini 2 classes at Goldfish Swim School!  Mini 2 classes are for ages 16 months-35 months and at 35 months she will be ready to swim on her own!  She has developed so many skills already, but the one we are the most excited about is her confidence in the water.  If anyone remembers back to that first lesson, Eleanor screamed her head off which was super embarrassing because I’ve actually never seen a child cry or even throw any kind of fit at Goldfish.  It’s the happiest place on earth.  But that first lesson was rough.  Luckily, we had a great instructor who loaned her his baby doll and we made it through.  With each lesson since she has grown to love swim lessons and her time in the water.  She happily jumps back into the water when she practices crawling out, collects the balls without any help kicking, and goes under water without freaking out and sputtering when she comes back up.

Another key part of E’s lessons that we really appreciate is how she is learning to get out of the pool.  With just a bit of a nudge, she can get herself up out of the pool.  It will obviously take some time before she can truly do this on her own, but she is learning the skills that she could use in an emergency if she needed to.  It is never too soon to start learning water safety!  The week of May 14th will be Water Safety Awareness Week at Goldfish and they will have a special focus on the skills needed to be safe in and around the water all summer long!

Has anyone else started swim lessons?  What skills has your little one mastered?  Which do you appreciate the most??
If you are interested in getting your little one signed up you can check here for a location near you to get started!  Summer will be here before we know it!
Hope you all have a great day!
Erin

*This post was sponsored by Goldfish Swim School, but all opinions, as always, are my own!

Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {2}!

06 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by in Daily Happenings, Life's Loves

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

img_2924img_3442img_3457img_4051img_4071img_4075img_4080img_4101img_4117img_4125img_4141img_4152
Good Morning!  We have now had six swim lessons and E is loving the water.  I apologize that some of the pictures are a little blurry…I sit behind the glass at the lessons and try my very hardest not to be seen.  When she is with Matt and she is well-rested she is ok seeing me at a distance, but when Matt’s mom took her, she was having a blast until she saw me behind the glass.  Holy yikes.  I am also already that mom behind the glass, so I am choosing to spare Eleanor’s (Matt’s) embarrassment at coming in and taking pictures poolside.  Pooltime has become a daddy/daughter thing and it is the sweetest ever.

Some of the skills E has mastered since her first lesson:
Climbing up out of the pool with just a bit of assistance
Jumping back into the pool with confidence
Going underwater without freaking out
Kicking while holding onto the barbell raft thing
Splashing on the raft
Kicking her feet to  move to get the balls or the ducks

Her instructor, Deon, is absolutely phenomenal.  He kept his distance when he knew she was uneasy and now Eleanor is as happy as a clam around him.  He sings with the kids, smiles the entire time, and has just the right amount of energy for this age group.
The way that the class is structured is also a huge part of the reason E stays calm.  The activity that the class is working on changes every minute or so.  She never has too much time to go looking for what’s behind the glass.  Bam: quack quacks are out and now we are climbing out of the pool and now we are jumping back in!  And now get on the raft!  The whole class goes by really fast and every single baby is happy and learning.  That is skill right there!

We honestly look forward to her swim lessons–hands down the best part of the weekend!  With summer approaching we are so glad that E will be excited about the water and have the basics of swimming down!
Thank you so much Goldfish for creating such a positive experience for the whole family!

Hope you all have a great start to the week!
Erin

Also: In case you need some swimwear ideas, I posted several great options here!

*This post was written in partnership with Goldfish Swim School, but all opinions, as always, are my own!

J.Crew New Arrivals!

02 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Fashion, Life's Loves

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

Good morning!! Hope you all had a snazzy weekend!  I could definitely use another day, but alas off to work I go.  This weekend I stumbled upon some of J.Crew’s New Arrivals.  And let me just say.  I am so ready for warmer temps.  Dare I say even bathing suit weather?! This stripe suit is seriously amazing.

What are your favorites?  Shop all the new arrivals here!  And with code LIGHTENUP you can get 25% of tees, shorts, and swim!

Happy Monday, friends!
Erin