More Swimming Lessons Fun

On the last day of swimming lessons, they pulled out the famous canoe to take the kids for a ride!

I remember doing this as a kid!

Jackson started in it for one lap and then they pulled him out to make waves!

By the last day, Jackson was happily jumping off the side (as opposed to the first week where he would run to me screaming when they put him on the side!)

And putting his head under with a normal amount of annoyance

And of course the after-lesson treat was a big hit too!!

Swimming Lessons:

This week the boys have been taking swimming lessons!

It was a last minute decision to put Jackson in too, but with leaving for Lake Powell in 2 weeks I decided the more comfortable in the water he is, the better.
Tyler is a natural and has been doing great! He is learning to kick his legs, make an arrow with his hands, do big swimming circles with his hands (freestyle stroke) and float on his back. He has always been a great swimmer, but last year wouldn't try to float, so even though he started out strong, I can still see improvements!

practicing arrow arms and kicking

swimming to his teacher

Tyler floating!

Jackson, on the other hand, screamed the entire time his first day. Luckily each day he has gotten a little more comfortable, but is yet to go through a lesson with no tears.

Jackson practicing kicks! Tyler is lower left corner. I love that I can watch both boys at the same time!

Super happy after doing "motor boat"

When one child is jumping in, Jackson's teacher puts the other kid on her back so she has her hands free. What a great idea!

Jackson with help 'jumping' in

practicing to float... he is screaming here...

Jackson smiling and waving- one my favorite moments! He was yelling "Hi Mom!"

he does NOT like to practice blowing bubbles and especially being dunked. Who can blame him?

{my favorite moment was after Jackson's lesson he got out and climbed in my lap for a snack. He said, "where Ty'ya?" I pointed him out and Jackson started waving and yelling, "hi Ty'ya! yay Ty'ya!" so sweet!}

Most day after lessons, we have gone to my parents to swim after, and Jackson hides in the house and watches a movie instead of swimming. A couple times, I'd bring him in the water with me and play motor boat (he loves to "step on the gas!"), but he'd clutch onto me the whole time and was super nervous. THEN, on Saturday when the nephews were here- he would sit on the edge and reach for Keenan or Trevon and play with them! He laughed and kicked and was totally comfortable. He got out and did this a few different times, each time doing it by his own choice. I was in shock, but so glad that this is paying off!! There is not much worse than watching your little boy scream in the pool for 20 minutes and there's nothing I can do to help! So this is a huge improvement. Now I am just SUPER excited for our Lake Powell trip in July!

Jeff's family came to visit!!

For Father's Day, Jeff's dad drove down to visit with us! When he was 2 minutes away we found out our nephews Keenan and Trevon were with him- we had such a great time!

On Saturday night, the boys all saw Green Lantern. On Sunday, we had a family party at my parents. I wish I took a picture of my dad and grandpa , but I think I will next time we all get together. I'm so thankful for the men in my life! It was so nice having Jeff, his dad, my dad, and my grandpa all at one party!

On Monday, we swam all day and as they were getting ready to leave we asked if the boys wanted to stay with us for the rest of the week. We decided we could meet half way or arrange a trip the following weekend to take them back. Kaylynn said she would come get them on Friday and she brought Qai and stayed this weekend. Once again we had a blast! Lots of swimming (pictures coming) and even went camping together.

It was much more comfortable than last time with my new HUGE tent! (Thanks for the B-day money Kenny & Judy, and Lanie & Papa!) The boys fell asleep on the air mattress, but when Jeff and I were ready to sleep we rolled them off and I slept without having both children on top of me all night! The weather was much more comfortable and the extra space makes all the difference.

We had fun telling silly ghost stories by the fire, eating yummy hotdogs, tinfoil dinners and tons of s'mores- I think I had 4! Lots of fun and great family time!

SD Safari Park

One weekend in June, Melonie and the kids came down for the weekend and we went to Safari Land! It was fun--

The kids LOVED doing the carousel- they picked their favorite animals!

This picture is special to me because I have a picture of my sister and I on this EXACT Gorilla from when we were growing up!! In the picture, we were picking his nose!

I think we had WAY Too much fun being goofy and taking pictures:

Being frogs on the lily pads!

At this point in the day we were all sweaty and hot and miserable and grouchy-- willing to throw ourselves- or our children to the tiger (which we never saw even after the 10 mile uphill hike to get to him!) He was too tired and hot to let us even look at him!

Can you tell how hot we were? We had a blast though!

Botanical Gardens Butterfly Pavilion

When my grandparents came to visit, we went to the Butterfly Pavilion at a nearby nursery. It was beautiful!

Tyler's big boy bike riding!

So Tyler asked his Daddy to remove his training wheels... a few minutes after, he wanted them back on. But here he is doing it big boy style!!

HAha I also have to laugh about his green shark helmet. He wants to wear it everywhere, not just when he is in danger of a head injury. Better safe than sorry, right?!

More Funnies

Last night my cousin Sarah came over to visit- she's in town from Pocatello. Tyler was so sad that he had to go to bed but I told him, "Sarah will come back tomorrow after preschool" Tyler said, "Hey, I go to preschool too!"

When Tyler was little and he asked for something, I would say, "how do you say it nicely?" And knowing that we must say please and thank you, he literally said, "please and thank you"

Now when I tell Jackson to say it nicely, he says, "thank you, welcome." Sometimes he even says that instead of sorry. We are a little confused, but at least we are trying to be polite. :)

1st Day of Preschool!!

I know it's June and most kids are just getting out of school, but Tyler is ready for some structured learning! My friend told me about a great Tiny Tots school that is very low key and I thought it would be perfect for him to do one day a week to get him ready for Preschool in the Fall. I packed him an earthquake kit (I remember having one in grade school!) with his sea animals book- and good thing I included that, because Friday is show and tell day so he got to show that.

Of course Jackson wanted in on the picture!