Swim Lesson Wrap Up

Swimming lessons ended last Thursday and we've had a very busy weekend so I am just now getting around to updating the blog. We have VBS all week this week so I know if I don't do it now it may never happen! Connor and Cameron did really well with 2 weeks of swimming. Connor did not complete all tasks necessary to move on to level 2 lessons, but he wasn't really expected to master the skills yet. He is still pretty young and quite rambunctious in the water. He learned how to kick & paddle to get from one place to another but he isn't coordinated enough to keep his head above water yet. He can blow bubbles in the water but doesn't prefer that activity. He loves to sit on the edge of the pool and kick his feet. His two favorite activities were jumping off the step and "swimming" to an adult and, of course, the water slide. He is technically too young to go on the slide but he was allowed to sit in our laps and go on it. BUT on the last 2 days the lifeguards allowed him to go alone. There is always a lifeguard at the bottom catch little kids. He did it THREE times! He loved it. He amazes me sometimes.

Cameron on the other hand could care less. He hated being cold and was always happier to be out of the water. He wasn't necessarily unhappy in the water but just squirmy and clingy. He wanted to be held very close to your body and up out of the water as much as possible. He didn't like to be pulled around by his hands or laid to float on his back. He didn't care for being dunked under water. I really hope he grows out of this distaste because I could live in the pool. I want to be in a body of water everyday! I don't even understand how someone could not enjoy it. It's a good thing he is so darn cute!

Being goofy while drying off after class Wednesday.

Getting ready for water fun!

We traded off being with each boy. Matt was just cuddling our little bug here!

Cutie crawler!

Yep, this looks about right.

This is how Cameron enjoys the water, ankle deep and very cautiously.

About to go down the slide!

Can you see that tiny boy climbing that big ladder?!

Connor shooting off the the end of the slide & the attentive lifeguard catching him.

Self portrait - can't you tell?

Father & sons!

Connor got a certificate for completing his 2 week class.

Here he is showing you his certificate.

Here are 2 videos of Connor on the slide. The sun was in my eyes and I couldn't see what exactly I was getting on video but they are super short. Just enough for evidence of his accomplishment.

Happy Father's Day!

This was, of course, filled with POP corn, POP rocks & Milk DADs plus a coupon for a movie of his choice! Happy Father's Day!

Connor's Prayer

In the most timid voice with hands folded in his lap:

Dih God

tank-ooh food.

Caweb feew better.

Tummy not sick.

Wuv you.

Geezis (Jesus) name, Amen.

My prayer,

Thank you Lord for this precious moment in my darling child's life. I am so grateful to have a compassionate, loving son. Thank you for prompting his heart to pray for his friend. Thank you for calling him even now. Please direct me as I do my best to mother him well. Show me when I fail and how to do better. Give me grace for the mistakes I make. All praise and glory to the God of the universe and of little children!

Summer Evening in Austin

This past Last Saturday Matt's mom called during nap time and asked if we wanted to meet in Austin for dinner. It was a fun impromptu outing! We met at the Arboretum and ate at the Cheesecake Factory and then played around outside for a while before heading back home. It was a beautiful, HOT summer evening!

Cameron loves to hold your fingers while he walks.

Connor: "Teeekol teekol!"

Telling Grandma thanks for some fun new Handy Manny toys!

These really are steps of faith for Cam. He is so timid about walking on his own!

This is the absolute best shot I got of the boys together. They are so active it's almost impossible!

We also had a tough time getting a decent family shot.

Will Walk for Food

This is not a great demonstration of how well Cam is walking but it's the best we've got on video so far. He's going, at his best, about 8-10 steps. He still crawls everywhere except on occasion when he's already standing and it occurs to him that he can walk somewhere. He loves to hold your fingers and walk, which Connor never did. He is doing really well. I'm glad that he's taking his time with it. Connor was walking before his first birthday and did it so fast we didn't get to enjoy this learning process like we are with Cam.

Swimming Lessons #2

Swimming Lesson Videos

Swimming Lessons

We signed the boys up for swimming lessons and they started today. Connor loves the water. He is just a fish with skin on. He would play in the water all day long if allowed. Cameron on the other hand has not ever been too fond of the water. He always climbs up me and wants out as fast as he can get there. I think it's rooted in his deep hatred of being cold. We went to the city pool at 5:30 and had to wait for all the first time instructions. Once they FINALLY let us in, Cam was pretty fussy and Connor bolted for the mushroom waterfall - "water falt." After 10 minutes or so Cameron relaxed and began to enjoy himself. He was never giddy about it but he bent down several times and put his mouth in to blow bubbles after the instructor showed him how. Connor learned to sit on the edge and kick his feet and practiced jumping in. At the end Connor was allowed to go down the big water slide in an adult's lap if he wanted. Of course he wanted! We asked him who he wanted to go with, Mommy, Daddy or Miss Megan (his teacher). He chose Megan! Ha! It was so fun to watch my sweet boy follow the older kids around and listen to his teacher. He was fairly independent and clearly unafraid of the water. He made us so proud! We are going Monday-Thursday for 2 weeks. I hope it stays this smooth!

Sitting & waiting...and waiting...and waiting... in 100° heat!

Connor got restless and went to check things out.

Connor & Miss Megan heading down the slide!

Book Wreath

I did it! I finally finished my book wreath. I was motivated to start it a couple of months ago but once I got about 75% done my motivation went kaput! Matt went to a movie with a friend tonight and since I finished one of my scrapbooks last week (I still need to complete Cam's 1st year book) I turned my focus to the wreath. I am really pleased with it. I checked out this blog as well as this one as well as a few others before attempting my own. I am only sorry I don't have the awesome camera or photography skills that other bloggers do to show off my handiwork.

My New Favorite Salad

On a recent visit, my mom made this delicious salad. I have since gotten the ingredients and made it several times myself. It's so yummy I wanted to pass it along! Not only is it tasty but it's super easy & adaptable too.

I use 50/50 Spring Mix/Baby Spinach

pear slices

crumbled goat cheese (you can use Feta too)

chopped pecans (candied if you like)

Craisins

Dressing

2/3 olive oil

1/3 red wine vinegar

dash of: ground mustard, salt & pepper, garlic powder, sugar

Just add ingredients to an air tight container & shake well. Dab a little on your finger and taste it. If it's bitter, add a little more sugar. If it's bland, add a few red pepper flakes. Whatever you like!

I make enough dressing to last through my bag of salad. It's so easy to throw this together for lunch and feel good about what I ate instead of fish sticks & apple sauce with the boys! Let me know if you like it!