Swimming excellence and Santa - all in a weekend

Arch, on the left, waits with one of his classmates for the word from their instructor.

The A team both went to the next level in their swimming classes. That makes one in level 3 and one in level 6 for the next go round. Arch has decided he's taking a break next session, so that'll give Angus a chance to get a little closer to his brother's level.

This is the first time Archie actually jumped, but he's sort of 'gone off' the diving board all year.

Angus had a tough time getting a hang of the hole floatation thing, but now he's psyched a swimming. He's excited to keep on going - and I'm excited to let him!

This is the last class of level 2 - and the very first time Angus went off the diving board all on his own! You've got to watch close, 'cause he was so fast!

Archie wants to try Tae kwon do. I guess he doesn't remember that he did this before. It wasn't too interesting to him when he was 4, but now he thinks he'd like to learn how to break through a board. With his bare hands. Or, feet. I'm happy as long as he picks out one physical activity so I guess that's it.

Angus had a good discussion with Santa.

We went to the annual children's Christmas party on the weekend. The kids were chuffed to sit on Santa's lap, even though they've decided that this fellow is likely not the actual Santa but a helper of sorts, who plays the part so that Santa can attend to his affairs at this time of year.

Archie said Santa asked if he'd waited long, and if the wait was worth it.

We rounded out the weekend by doing some Christmas baking, the first of the season. Angus decorated the cookies including the one pictured below, which he affectionately labeled 'Elvis' and insisted that his father eat it.