swim lessons

This is what we have been doing all summer long. I feel like Dori from "Finding Nemo" "...just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming..." Every day for four weeks the kids have had swim lessons. Mostly they have loved it but we haven't had the best swim weather here in Pittsburgh, not that I am complaining because we have also loved the rain and the cooler weather that comes with it but it is hard jumping into a pool when the rain is coming down hard. Yesterday we finally had some sun during swimming so I thought I would snap a few pictures of how well the kids are doing.

Anne is such a good swimmer. She swims the entire length of the Olympic sized pool without stopping. She says she "LOVES" doing laps. I did a few laps the other day and thought my lungs would explode. She told me I just needed to practice...thanks for the advice Anne. Anne also wants to do swim team all year round but I don't know if we are ready for that kind of commitment.

Andrew is a fearless swimmer too. The only problem he has had is that the rain has kept the pool at a depth level which makes the water come above his nose so he has to stay close to the edge. The rain has also kept the water in the pool at a cooler temperature...not something Andrew likes being a child from Hawaii. But when he is in the water he is FEARLESS!

lake erie revisited

Lake Erie...place of happiness for our family. This time we were lucky enough to have Grandpa Howie and Grandma Sweetheart with us too. The kids and I drove up in the morning and we played on the beach ALL day. Really...all day and into the night. I am convinced that my kids really really love the water. I was surprised that at the end of the day they weren't wrinkled prunes. We had so much fun. We all collected rocks, chased a flock of geese, sort of helped Hava build the above sand fort, Andrew attempted to ruin the above sand fort, collected more rocks, swam some more, buried a smelly fish (thanks mom), enjoyed a yummy cook out, rejoiced when Zac finally got to join us, then to finish it all off we enjoyed the most beautiful sunset, then of course because the kids can't stay out of the water they swam some more.

Just in case you didn't believe that the kids swam all day...those black dots out there are Anne and Andrew's heads. They had just been all washed off and cleaned when they just had to go back and swim for "just two more minutes."

andrew at 5

Today Andrew is 5! I can't really believe he has grown so big. My dad brought some home videos he had taken of Andrew from when he was born until he was about 2. He was so little then...now so grown up. I can't believe how the years have flown. He is learning to help more everyday. One constant throughout the years has been his hugs and kisses. He still is willing to hug and kiss his mom. I love that. He is such a sweet boy. Andrew always has a compliment for either is mom or sister. I love that too. I love his smile and I love the happiness he brings to our home - even if he doesn't like making us laugh he does. I love his intensity and I love his craziness. I love that when I am having a bit of a rest in the afternoon he always comes and cuddles with me. I love the way he plays with Anne and the way he is fearless. I love that he still lets me call him BUDDY. We love you so much Andrew!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July! We had such a good one here in Pittsburgh this year. My favorite part of the day was the bike parade in the park. They had all sort of decorations for the kids to put on their bikes then they all rode around the fountain in a parade. After the kids and Zac tried out Andrew's new soccer ball. I think we have some soccer players in the family after all.

(If you have sound turn it up...this song was so stuck in my head while we were walking through the park yesterday.)

I know this picture is blurry, but look at his moves!