Summer Days and Swim-in Movie Pool Nights

Summer is in full swing! Since joining Mt. Hawley, going to the pool is an easy, stress-free event. Since we walk to and from the pool, I'm not as worried about forgetting something or popping back home for a bit of a break.

Tuesday night we had our first swim meet at Mt. Hawley. Jackson is doing well. His strokes are great, but he still jumps instead of dives off the blocks and normally stops a few feet short of the wall to check out who is cheering him on. We'll work on that.

Last night Mt. Hawley had a "swim-in movie pool night". The kids were allowed to bring floaties and rafts and watch the movie from the pool. They had pizza and ice cream and played before the movie started. With the weather getting warmer and warmer...this was perfect evening activity. Brian stayed with Jackson after Charlie decided he had enough and was ready for bed.

Mornings are great during the summer as well! Jackson is working on a workbook "Wake Up Brain". He's asked to do 5 pages a day to earn a star. Once he reaches 30 stars, he can pick out a new DS or Wii game.

Tonight we are actually double booked with a swim meet and a t-ball game! Since thunderstorms are predicted...we may not be attending either.

Grandma's Vist, Oral Surgery and Mt. Hawley

Grandma came out to visit just in time to see Jackson's last front baby tooth. Jackson had to have oral surgery last week to remove to extra upper teeth. He did fantastic. He slept through the entire thing. When he came to, he was a bit upset about the numbness and his big lip...but all in all he was a trooper!

As a parent, however, I found it very difficult to see my little boy with a fat lip and bloody mouth. I had to walk away for a minute to regain my composure. I truly believe that when kids get hurt, the parents feel more pain than their kids.

While Jackson was recuperating, we got ready for Charlie's first birthday! He had a great day and went to town demolishing the cupcakes we enjoyed on his special day.

As the weekend approached, Brian and I decided to bite the bullet and join Mt. Hawley Country Club. The club is in walking distance (1 min. 6 sec), has 3 brand-new pools, and an outstanding swim team! What more could we ask for! We enjoyed Friday and Sunday lounging by the pool. We are hoping that the weather improves so we can enjoy the new facility more often!



Brian enjoyed himself in the sunken benches near the bridge and the diving pool. He also had his share of turns on the diving board and slide (a.k.a. "rocket").



I spent more of my time down by the baby pool, which is a zero gravity pool. It has fun bubblers and fountains for the kids and is also next to the snack bar, which makes it so the moms and toddlers aren't so isolated.



The lap pool has a little basketball hoop for the boys to play with. Brian and Jackson had a blast -- in fact I'm not sure if Brian didn't enjoy himself more than Jackson!



Grandma got into the fun as well. She blasted Jackson with the water gun numerous times and watched him play on the bouncy toys and train rides.



All in all...the pool area is fantastic and we look forward to spending many fun days poolside at Mt. Hawley.

Last night, we all headed off to Jackson's t-ball game at the Peoria Christian Center. Jackson did very well and Brian helped out with the coaching.



All the kids enjoyed practicing their "sliding" skills -- whether it was to home base or first. They slid into every base!




After the game we enjoyed some KFC on the picnic table (yes...pregnancy craving) and watched Jackson play on the toys. The kids were also allowed to bowl that night at the Christian Center. That was a nice surprise! What was even more surprising, however, was how well Grandma bowled! She kicked every one's butt! She got a strike almost every time! We saw her competitive side last night! Go Grandma!



Grandma won with dad in close second and mommy and Jackson tied for third place. We had fun smack-talking and trying to beat one another.



Today is Grandma's last day and we are sad. We went to Mt. Hawley for swim practice and then are heading off to lunch before dropping her off at the airport. We will miss her...but look forward to our trip to Washington at the end of the month!

Cheers!

June Angels

Brian and I were blessed to have both of our boys born in June. My mom use to tell Jackson that he was her "June Angel", so now that Charlie also shares a June birthday, Jackson informs everyone that he and Charlie are BOTH June Angels.

Jackson loves to chat, and if given the opportunity, he'll talk for hours and hours. Flights are especially good times for Jackson as he normally has a captive audience. No where to run as I like to say. By the end of the flight, the poor soul seated next to us will have all sorts of information about our family -- our dog names, the kids' birthdays, his school, his friends, his grandma...you name it and he'll talk about it!

On one recent flight, Jackson discovered that the little "friend" seated behind us also had a June birthday. He promptly declared that this little girl was also a "June Angel". So sweet.

June is a special time for us all. Brian and I are celebrating seven years of marriage this year! My parents, still setting the bar high, are celebrating 41 years (we share the same anniversary).

We are thrilled that my mom is coming to visit us tomorrow! She will be here for Jackson's oral surgery and Charlie's first birthday. Jackson is beyond thrilled and asked me today if grandma "could stay like for 5 weeks!". His eyes lit up yesterday when we told him that Grandma's going to share his room with him. He said: "Yeah...I'm going to be a snuggle bunny with her. I'm going to sneak down to her bed, wrap my arms around her. Then she's going to say 'can you move over a bit honey?'...I just love that!".

Charlie will no doubt love the visit too. Like Jackson, Charlie is a people person and hasn't met a stranger. He smiles at everyone and is just now starting to wave. He's been "walking" since about 10 1/2 months, but in the past few days he's really taken off. He walks everywhere, which means he's into everything.







With so much going on, we are looking forward to celebrating all the blessings we have in our lives this month.




Cheers!