Memorial Day 2010

This year we decided to just take it easy. We really wanted to head up to Idaho, but we just weren't feeling up to the travel and luggage and dealing with the kids away from home.

Jon got to come home early on Friday so we went to a mantinee and saw Shrek, the last one. It was a pretty fun to go as a family even though we didn't get to sit together.

Then we had a BBQ and games with our good friends, the Condie's.

On Saturday we just cleaned up, mowed, and cleaned cars. Jon went on a bike ride for a couple hours. And we went on a date. We went to a local theater where they put a play on of "To Kill a Mocking Bird". They did an amazing job; I am so glad we went. Then we grabbed some cookies and ice cream.

Sunday was nice. Neither of us had to prepare lessons so it was a relaxing morning. Then we came home, had an easy dinner and watched a movie.

Monday we decided that we would put the planters in. We were hesitating since we had an offer on the house and we didn't want to have to put money into that if it was going to sell soon. But the people decided to get a different house. I put flowers in the planters in the front about a month ago, but with all the rain and freezing temperatures most of them died. We bought the same ones to put in again. The flowers are really pretty and the leaves are dark dark green.  Too bad the flowers haven't bloomed yet. I love the heart shaped lime colored leaves, and the prickly looking plant. All the textures and colors make these my favorite choices for these planters. We also put deep purple and orange daisies in the other planters.

We also decided to plant the back planter, which has weeds and full sun.  We put weed cloth type stuff down. And chose the less pretty (in my opinion), full sun flower, like marigolds, and petunias.  But all in all I really like how it turned out. Maybe my favorite too. Ironic, since we are planning to move.

(Notices the large plant with purple blossoms? Its chives from last year. Its pretty, but there's always a faint smell. I am going to replace it, any suggestions?)

We finished just in time for a BBQ with my family. We played games in the backyard. I forgot how much I like badminton.  The boys were so tired. 

Max eating homemade chocolate ice cream without the spoon

Zac is mad that he had to eat dinner (a couple hours after dinner was over) in order for him to get some ice cream too

We came home put the kids to bed and I think we watched "The Blindside". GREAT movie! It was so nice to have a 3 day weekend without rain. And a thank you to all those who have sacrificed to give us the freedoms we have today!

 

Swimming Lessons: Zac

The boys have been in swimming lessons for the last 3 weeks. They have done great! They are both comfortable in the water, they like putting their face in and blowing bubbles, and they can both dive in and get to a back float. They also like to dive for sticks.

During Zac's second week of lessons, after his lesson was over he was playing on the stairs with the diving sticks, and got too far from the bottom step and was floundering just out of reach. The teachers were on the other side of the pool, with their current students (toddlers). I kept telling Zac to get on his back, but he was not in the mindset to compute that. I ended up stepping into the pool, fully dressed in jeans to get him. It was pretty much slow motion for me. I really did not want to get in. And to top it off, I couldn't go home. We were showing the house during the next 90 mins. So I ran to Wal-mart to get something dry to wear.

One time I took them to the rec center to practice their stuff, and they were both freaking out. I think because it was a new, unfamiliar place, but mostly because the water was cold. The pool they had lessons in was heated, like a bath. But after we practiced they were much better, when they got back to their lessons. I just wish it would warm up here to go to the pool outside and keep practicing!

There were a few teachers and we would have different ones depending on the day. This was their favorite teacher, Amanda.

This last week they were both having regular swim lessons instead of toddler lessons. Zac is working on form.

Floating on his back. They both still need to work on kick to get to the side of the pool.

Diving for sticks at the end of the lesson

Since I had to go in to save him a couple weeks ago (and 2 times last summer), after Zac's last lesson I wanted him to jump in with no one to catch him and get to his back float.  I wanted him to know that he could do it, with no help, and no one next to him. After 20 minutes of persuasion and a churro bribe, I got him to jump in the pool by himself, turn to float on his back and reach the side.  I was so proud of him, but proud of myself that I didn't just push him in after 15 mins of trying to convince :)

This is Zac breathing the right way all the way across the pool. Generally, after a rotation or 2 he will put his head up and ask how many more til he is to the side of the pool, and proceed to ask you about anything he can to distract from continuing the lap.

Zac diving and getting to his back to float.

Swimming Lessons: Max

I wasn't sure how Max would do with swimming lessons, because other than the bath, he hasn't really liked water. Last year, when we'd go to the pool he was never that keen on it. He was pretty upset the first 4 days. Everyday when we would put swimsuits on and get ready to leave he would want me to hold him. One day I even had to hold his foot (because that is all I could reach) as I drove to the lesson. But after that 4th day he walked over to the pool and put his hands out to the teacher all by himself. No matter how much they fussed or cried before or during the lesson, each time it was over they both said how much fun it was and that they liked it.

Max putting his head in and blowing bubbles as he works on his kicking.

Max floating on his back. I think both boys picked up on this about the same time. Max would just do what his teachers said. Zac would try and talk and distract the teachers or try and understand exactly what was going and what was happening every step of the way.

Max diving for sticks

Got them all!

Max is doing great! It is so comforting and fun to see them be able to manage themselves a little bit in the water.

Max diving, then floating on back

Max swimming