Swim Lessons

Peyton has been in swim lessons since he was 8 months old in baby-parent group lessons, but he started private lessons earlier this year. We've been at the Peninsula Swim School in Redwood City for about two years, and are so thankful for the service we've received there. He's had the same teacher, Carrie, since he started and he absolutely loves her! He always gets a big smile on his face when we're at the pool, and is happy to jump in to her arms.

He feels very comfortable with Carrie and being in the water in general. Carrie knows that Peyton is autistic and is so careful with him and has been very happily surprised with how much he's now speaking. She nurtures conversations with him; she's amazing!

He loves going down the slide (yes, he's a daredevil in the water too).

This week, Carrie got him to try diving again. Success!

Peyton always finds a toy that he will play with throughout the lesson. This week, he was overjoyed to find a Dory (Finding Nemo) toy. Carrie used that to her advantage and got him to dive under the water to pick it up. She's a genius!

While he was fishing for Dory, one of the other classes in the pool started swimming the length of the pool which caused lots of splashes and delighted Peyton! Carrie's been having trouble getting him to kick on the kickboard, but after seeing that amazing spectacle, Peyton decided to try again!

And, by the end of the lesson, he was diving under to pick up or touch whatever he could.

I can't say enough how thankful we are to the Peninsula Swim School and especially to Carrie for how wonderful she is with Peyton in the pool.

UPDATED: Peyton Rides the Frog Hopper ALONE

Updated on June 3rd to embed the Facebook video into the post as I heard that the link to my Facebook page wasn't working (as I have a private page).

As I mentioned in my last post, Peyton really doesn't like to stand in line. So, on our second trip to the Frog Hopper on Monday, when we joined James in line, we would have had to wait for two more rides because only one adult is allowed on the ride at a time. We were third in line and the woman at the front of the line said she would be the adult, so we asked Peyton if he wanted to go on the ride without Daddy and he said yes!

Our little guy is growing up right before our eyes and it's so fun to watch!

And, here's a video of James and Peyton riding the roller coaster the day of his birthday party.

Happy Hollow

We took Peyton back down to Happy Hollow on Monday for some fun. Thank goodness we became members in February!

Peyton has become interested in wearing sunglasses for short periods of time, so I was able to get a picture.

We started our visit with a required ride on the carousel. We usually have to ride it at least 2-3 times when we get there and another 3-4 times before we leave. He wanted to ride the tiger, but it was already taken, so we were lucky that the triceratops was available.

Next, it was off to the zoo to dig up dinosaurs. We walked past the jaguar and were excited to see that she was out in full view (this was our fifth trip to Happy Hollow and was the first time we got a close up view)! Isn't she gorgeous?

When lots of people are at the window, she can get super excited and starts pacing. We were told not to bang on the glass or make any sudden movements.

Next, it was off to dig up the dinosaurs. Happy Hollow "buried" two Allosaurus skeletons (fake, of course) and they provide brushes for the kids to unearth them. Peyton loves to dig them up, but changes the dinosaurs every time we go. This week, they were T-Rexes, of course.

We looked that the "BIG SEA TURTLE" (a tortoise) as he rested in his house to get out of the hot sun.

We had a Happy Hollow play date with Peyton's friend Dominic last month, and Peyton has been looking at those pictures. We have one of Dominic comparing his arm length to that of several birds:

So, Peyton agreed to take a picture for Dominic. :-)

Then we made our way to the petting farm. The sheep were recently sheared. They looked much happier!

James showed Peyton how to place the food in your hand to feed the animals.

Peyton figured out that if you place the food on the bottom ledge of the fence, you don't have to touch the animal and it will still eat.

Then it was off to the rides. Peyton is a total daredevil. He loves fast rides and to get butterflies in his stomach. This is the Frog Hopper ride which lifts you up about 30 feet off the ground and the gradually hops up and down until eventually bringing you back down.

You can hear Peyton's giggles. He's so funny! And then he stumbles when he gets off the ride. :-)

We went over to the roller coaster next. There was quite a line, which can be a problem with Peyton (he's not the most patient child, but what 3-year old is?). But, Peyton entertained himself by playing with James' sunglasses. He's so stylish!

And then, it was time for the roller coaster! James and Peyton are in the fourth car from the front.