Pioneer Day & Swimming Lessons

Michael:

is enjoying doing implants at the VA, and we had his residency's welcome barbecue this week. It was at his director's house, and the kids had fun in the pool and the bounce house. His director is in a band and it's always fun to be around live music. I met some new people that night and it's always nice to put names to faces of who Michael works with. We accidentally forgot the boys' puddle jumpers so swimming in the pool was extra work, but it was fun.

Maddie:

washed my hair this week more than I typically do in a month. #summer

We've been swimming so much, plus our walks and work outs are extra intense in this heat. Then after our morning swims we are back at Westin's swimming lessons in the afternoon, so I just feel like our bathroom is a constant dry room of swim suits, so many outfit changes, so many bags packed and unpacked, so many quick meals thrown together. Summer will never be my favorite (or second favorite, or third favorite) season, but we've got this one figured out pretty well! We've been having fun.

Westin:

finished his fast-start swim lessons this week and he did great. He is SO much more comfortable in the water now and whenever I give him his two choices for what we do for our morning activity, he always chooses swimming if it's on the table. We're grateful for fun friends and ward swim days who keep our summer cooler in the water! He has gone back to napping every single day. Heat and water wear you out. I'm so grateful for that, but I'm also hoping I did the right thing by signing up him for afternoon preschool two times a week starting late August. I didn't want him to be gone in the mornings when we do fun things, and he had been doing some quiet time without sleeping in his room during nap time prior to summer. He's at the age that a few naps a week should be enough, so hopefully he does ok. Sleep has always been his most prioritized basic need, from day one. He was such an easy baby unless sleep was thrown off, while Bennett has never been nearly as affected by tiredness.

Bennett:

speaking of Bennett and tired... we swam until almost 9:30pm at the residency barbecue and Bennett loved every second. He is fearless in the water and it's a lot of work. With or without a puddle jumper, he just wants to climb whatever can be climbed and jump in, over and over. Preferably with a parent there to catch him, but he's not picky. So, swimming is real relaxing around here :) I have felt like the last two weeks were just SO much work, but work to have fun, if that makes sense. We're exhausted and my house has seen the effects of all our play time, but it's the best way to spend summer. We kept Bennett up late both nights this weekend between cleaning the church Friday night and the barbecue Saturday, and he woke up at 5:30 the next days... that's the worst part of going to bed late! But it was a really fun weekend.

Third time at our stake Pioneer Day breakfast. Don't mind the lack of posing here, all efforts were put into wardrobe changes. Westin was really into all the glasses.

Bennett has not entirely figured out the proper way to use a bounce house, but he's happy in there anyway.
Usually he just lays down, or comes to the side and makes faces at me. :)

All my boys love cotton candy... I'll never understand it.

Chalk and bubbles, the party spot.

Bennett shoved half a pancake in his mouth so that both hands would be free to play with the bubbles.
Then he realized he had half a pancake in his mouth, then handed it to me. #motherhood

Rosie and Libby! There is no cuter way to earn money and make your kids happy.

We cleaned the church Friday night with the Dockstaders and Westin loves them.
He still calls them "somebody's grandpa" and "somebody's grandma."

Little helper to take out the trash.

Entertaining Bennett during Westin's daily swim lessons. He's so chill, he's been happy to watch all the pool fun.

Bennett understands that he should be above this three-month-old golden doodle in the family pecking order.
Lots of pointing and "teaching" happening there, but the puppy isn't aware she's supposed to be obedient. :)

Two boys in a puppy play area. And a puppy in the boys' play area.

Libby first came during nap time. When the boys woke up she was so afraid of them! In a cute, not sad, way.
She just ran to this corner and watched them for quite a while before she decided to come play.

She's a little naughty. But when you've only been around for 3 months you get a pass.

Kitty. The only one not thrilled about our puppy situation.

New goggles! Looking a little wonky here, but they did the job.

Ward swim day snack break.

Kitty likes to look out this window, so Bennett will frequently bring his teddy bear over to enjoy the view.