Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee.....

What a day! Today I had to take Joel and go to Toledo to get the air conditioning fixed in the van (a whole separate story.....). Anyway, when I finally got there they told me that it would be 5 or 6 hours before it was done. Mercifully they gave me a loaner vehicle for that time, which they don't normally do. (I'm sure the sight of my cranky, sleepy 1-year-old helped that decision along! I'm sure they did not want him in their waiting area that long!) I took him to the mall since I figured that would be where we could waste the most time (too hot for the zoo!). ANYWAY...he was really well-behaved and patient while we were there. We did a lot of walking, and he really wanted out of the stroller. Plus, the air conditioning was not working well at the mall (it must be the theme for the day) and it was really warm in there. At one point I stopped at the "play area" to let him move around a while (I tried desperately not to think about the germs.....uggg.). He was doing well and laughing while he played with some spinning tiles on a wall. Pretty soon a little boy came over and was playing with him, which was fine. HOWEVER...for no apparent reason this little boy hauled off and kicked Joel right in the chest! (He was on his knees.) Before Mommy could intervene, my sweet little angel swung his arm back and smacked the kid right in the face! Then he turned around, looked at me, and burst into tears! Now I don't normally condone violence on the playground, but I have to say I was pretty proud! :0) (Plus, I thought it was better that Joel hit him than Mommy doing it!) I picked up Joel and cuddled him. After that, every time the little boy came around, Joel "yelled" and stuck his arm out. He didn't come too close! :0) My boy doesn't take any guff! At any rate, we got back to Defiance just in time for Joel's last swimming class at the YMCA. :0( He did so well with them. Tonight Rob held on to his legs and pushed him in front of him around the pool. Joel loved it! He drank a lot of pool water, but he was smiling and laughing. I'm not sure if there is another session coming up or not. He got his first certificate for completing the session! We're so proud! (We know we are dorks but we don't care!) We are definitely going to have to find a pool to hang out in this summer! The whole day wore him out.... he fell asleep right after his bath and hasn't moved since we put him in his crib. More later.....