Sunday

Sunday morning Lauren came to spend some time with Ally and Becky and I did our own thing for a while.

Ally decided she wanted to ride her bike - and as it turns out went for a 2 hour bike ride!!!!

Lauren said it was unbelievable - Ally just kept riding and riding and it was pretty hot - but Ally was so into it.

When she got home she was so proud of herself - she kept saying she biked almost all the way to camp, and she did. We promised that sometime this summer she could try and bike to or from camp to see how it goes.

We were so happy for her - she was just glowing, and not just from sweat but from the satisfaction of doing it. She has been pretty timid on her bike and is scared of falling - and maybe it was with Lauren that she was able to not worry so much and just do it - maybe it was that she is taller and more confident on her bike - maybe she is just gaining some self confidence - maybe its everything. Who knows. It was just pretty awesome.

You may also notice a cage / tank behind Ally on the table - its for a hamster. We're taking care of Willow's hamster Rosie, for 3 weeks while Willow is on vacation. Ally has been very excited for Rosie to come to our house.

Of course the cats are not so sure about Rosie and last night Becky erected some protection for Rosie's cage so that the cat's could not get to her. I thought it was so funny when I go up this morning that I had to take a picture.

Ally had her last swimming lesson of this session on Sunday as well. She is doing so well that the teacher has recommended she move up to the next level. Becky reports that the teacher basically insisted. We are a bit hesitant since Ally has been taking swim lessons with some friends and we think the social aspect is important. But Ally knows that she has been recommended for level 3 - the teacher talked to Becky in front of Ally. In talking with Ally about it later in the day yesterday I asked what she wanted to do and she clearly stated "if I go to level 3 I can maybe learn new things" ..."I think new things would be good" Its obvious that she is a bit torn about not having swimming with her friends, but she is very proud of the fact that she is good enough to move up a level.

It was very sweet to talk with her, because she knows she isn't supposed to be boastful in front of her friends, or proud about being better than someone else, so she is not sure how she is supposed to feel about being moved up ahead of her friends. I found myself telling her it was OK to be proud of herself and her hard work with mama and mommy- she works really hard at swimming - but that she just needed to be careful with her friends so they don't feel bad.

Its a tough thing.

But since this is The Life of Ally and I can shamelessly brag I will!!!