Monday, August 28, 2023

Swim Lessons 2023


We spent most of the summer in swimsuits. 
I was starting to fear that years of swim lessons would never pay off, but at least it got them plenty of pool time. 
This year I was ready to up it, and just see. So we put everyone in three sessions instead of two. So 6 weeks of lessons pretty much back to back. 
And it FINALLY paid off. 


Connor and Bella graduated. 
It took one session of Shark-Level 4 and they passed!
But we kept them in the next sessions because I viewed it as they could only get better. 
They got glowing reviews. 
Connor was told he was funny and kind and was constantly improving. 
Bella was told she was the sweetest ever, and a great swimmer and should think about swim team. 
It was hard to believe they had come so far. 
They loved having so much pool time all summer. 
Connor did say it was a little much for him so he isn't sure he would want to commit to a swim team in the future. But he loves being a confident swimmer. 
Bella enjoyed it so much she wants to try a swim team so we will see. I am so proud of them both. 



Sydney and Piper started at Goldfish-Level 1. 
They had been at this level for awhile and they were the main reason I was pushing to three sessions. I wanted to see them build some skill and confidence. Really I was testing this whole thing... were they ever going to advance? were they getting anything out of this? It took two sessions but they both finally advanced to Level 2! It was a huge relief to them and me. Sydney even pulled out all the stops and advanced to Level 3 after the third session. 
I think they both went in with a fear of water in their faces and kind of using eachother as a crutch not to advance. But this year they weren't in any lessons together, even though they were on the same level. I think this definitely had an impact. 
And I couldn't be more impressed by them and all their hard work.



Dean started swim for the first time!
He started off so not wanting to get in the water, let alone sticking his face in. 
By the end of the summer he was jumping in and putting his face in and (with a life vest on kicking himself around). We are shocked that he has turned his fears around and although he didn't make it to the next level we are so happy for our Guppy-Level Beginner Prek, and can't wait to see what next year has in store. 
(Especially since Lu will be in it with him!) 


So while swim lessons lasted most of the summer we spent a lot of time before, after, in between and during lessons ...
... going on walks by the pool, swinging on swings, playing on the playground, having picnics in the park (we discovered the popular free lunch in the park program and took full advantage), going to the library (huge success!), reading, getting jamba juices (our thursday tradition), and visiting the skate park. 


It was a very successful swimsuit summer!


Sunday, July 30, 2023

Just Another Sunday


Sydney and Piper sang "A Child's Prayer" in sacrament today. They have been practicing all month, we had help from the past primary chorister and the current primary pianist. I think they are going to miss practicing with them. I was so proud of them and so grateful for all the help. It was beautiful and they both did perfect. I got so caught up I didn't even record it. I couldn't believe how brave these girls are. 

A Child's Prayer 
(Piper)
Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer every child's prayer?
Some say that Heaven is far away
But I feel it close around me as I pray

(Sydney and Piper)
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago
"Suffer the children to come to me"
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee

(Sydney)
Pray, he is there
Speak, he is listening
You are his child
His love now surrounds you
He hears your prayer
He loves the children
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of Heaven

(Piper) & (Sydney)
Heavenly Father, are you really there? (Pray, he is there)
And do you hear and answer every child's prayer? (Speak, he is listening)
Some say that Heaven is far away (You are his child)
But I feel it close around me as I pray (His love now surrounds you)
Heavenly Father, I remember now (He hears your prayer)
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago (He loves the children)
"Suffer the children to come to me" (Of such is the kingdom)
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee (The kingdom of Heaven)


Lu was pulling all her usual sacrament meeting antics so she'd wind up in the foyer. Shea and I are fully in the trading Sunday's routine with our miss terrible two year old. 




Dean is loving sunbeams he loves going to class and he loves showing off his work afterwards. He is such a sweetheart and is getting better and better in Sacrament. He still has his weeks where he can't contol his antsy-ness. But we have to take him out less and less. 


We are in the stage where Sundays are exhausting but I always leave church grateful for these people of ours. We always are getting compliments from teachers about our little people. They may be crazy at home but I guess there is hope. 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Time to Let the World Know


We are pregnant with Baby #6!

We are thrilled! Shea has been itching to shout the news at the top of his lungs to all the world. This is most likely our last addition to our beautiful family and it is a very bittersweet time. With our beautiful blessings has come heartache. Miscarriage makes me value the fragility of life like never before. It makes it hard for me to share such special news, but I am overwhelmingly grateful for this rainbow baby. 

My due date is March 15, 2021!

12 weeks, September 2020

Anatomy Scan at 20 weeks, perfectly healthy baby
(We are waiting to find out the gender!)


20 weeks, November 2020


Wednesday, October 21, 2020

14/15 Months

 

UPDATE: 

Dean can regularly go up and DOWN stairs without falling! It is such a relief! We can now breathe a little easier and not have our heart skip a beat every time he is on the steps. 

Cutting 3 more teeth, apparently they come in packs. Poor boy. So he is a little iritable lately which hasn't been fun. 

Struggles with Daddy back at work, Daddy calls it separation anxiety. Also struggling with not quite as much attention since kids are in virtual school and Mom's trying to maintain order. It’s exhausting.

He just started snuggling again! Maybe he’s just desperate and he knows Mom is low energy, although it would have been nice if this started a couple months ago, when Mom was really struggling. (Pregnancy 6, 4/5 Months) Maybe he is trying to soak up being the baby for as long as he can. 

Loves playing kisses games with Mommy, and Hide & Peek with Daddy. 

His above all favorite game in the world is PEEK A BOO! He dies in laughter over it and will play with anyone and everyone. His favorite way to play is in the curtains or walking around with his pjs on his head; of course we get the best giggles at bedtime when he’s slap happy ... which is scary because his balance is off and it gets a little dangerous, but no injuries yet. Thank Goodness!

He absolutley hates being chased or playing chase.  He thinks people are mad at him.  He especially hates it when daddy chases him.  Instead he goes up to daddy with his little fat lip and hugs his legs so the game stops.

Mornings. I love seeing this boy wake up and get giddy to start the day.