Just some typical summer lovin' going on around here. The girls are in swim lessons which takes up most mornings during the week. Charlotte was terrified at first of Ms. Luann who kindly dunked her right away, just to set the tone. But now I think she looks forward to it, and while she still gets nervous, she does just fine and ends with a big smile on her face. Hazel has progressed a TON. She started out the summer afraid of getting water in her face and now she goes under constantly, preparing herself with three or four huge intakes of breath. She swims under the water for quite some time if she has a snorkle mask that covers her nose. So fun to see her learn to do these things for the first time.
(And no, we still haven't taken out the braids. Yes, it has almost been an entire month! It's so easy not to have to do her hair!)
And I have really been enjoying the one-on-one time with Ms. Eloise. While the girls are in lessons, I either leave Edison at home for a nap with David or I bring him in the stroller where he kicks and wiggles for a while, allowing me to swim with just Ellie. She LOVES the water, as long as I'm holding her. And she lets me give her all the kisses and squeezes that I want. I can't stop.
This time with just Ellie and I reminds me a lot of when I used to drop off Hazel at preschool (for that two month stint) and take Charlotte with me to the gym. After my water aerobics class, I'd take her to the park, just us, and we'd practice counting to three before she went down a slide. I was pregnant with Ellie at the time, so it only lasted for two or three months, but I cherish that time. Ellie and I have practiced counting to three as well, before she jumps into the water with me.
David came with us to swim lessons on Saturday, the 28th, and we put the wee boy in the water. Once he adjusted to the water, he was content and happy and Charlotte made sure he was taken care of. Boy, she loves him so much.
Nothing cuter than a naked baby.
The girls and I after a nice dinner with Kevin and Vicki.
Our AC has been out, so it has been HOT in our house, especially in the evenings.
I love it when they all hold hands. So rewarding to see them love each other sometimes.
I have no idea how we ended up with a picture of Charlotte in church!
I think it's funny, so I kept it.
I have a tradition of buying each baby of mine their own special towel before they're born.
Because we had so much to buy with Edison, being the first boy, I never did buy him his own boy towel. Luckily, I have an awesome best friend, Janelle, who made me one.
Best gift ever.
Especially lately, Mondays can be overwhelming. It's the idea of an entire week of the routine, chores, meals, laundry, being here and there on time, getting everyone dressed and diapers changed and hair done, etc. Sometimes it's boring and scary and overwhelming. So on this particular Monday (the 30th), I decided to change my attitude a bit.
I took these funny pictures of the girls and I which made me laugh. And I slowly started to feel better.
Plus we were outside which always helps.
Look out Monday, here we come!
Still not sure how I got all of them to look at me at the same time.
The beginning of a long potty training process in action.
(Stick around for a post about our FHE activity that same Monday night.
It deserves a post of its own).
