summer swimming

I am beyond grateful my mom came to take care of us after I had baby. Among many things she did she helped me survive the first session of swim lessons.  Lainy also took the kids a couple of times which was awesome.  We had a great swim year!  Lyssie is swimming now as is Gracie and Letty is doing great too.  Our swim teacher teaches survival swimming, she doesn't mess around with weeks of blowing bubbles she gets right to the meat of it.  There were lots of tears at first but once Lyssie knew what to do she was off.  Lyssie loves the water and is fearless so I feel so much better knowing she has some swimming skills.  

 Lyssie making the jump

 Gracie and Letty

They MUST wear goggles :) heaven forbid water gets in your eyes

one day older and wiser too

Letty went and turned 9 on us this year.  I'm sad my camera was on a funny setting and most birthday pictures turned out weird.  Letty is fortunate to have her birthday next to a holiday so dad is around to play.   On the 4th  she and her cousins when to the summer movies in the morning followed by lunch at chick-fil-a, and then roller skating (nothing like a classic activity).  Later we had dinner with the Lakes and went to see the fireworks, nothing formal just found a spot we could see them.  The next day on her actual birthday we went to Olive Garden for dinner followed by dessert and fireworks with the Lakes.

Letty at 9 is such a big help especially with her siblings.  She always begs for me to leave her at home alone with her babysitting (haven't quite gotten to that point yet, although she would do fine).  She is enthusiastic and excited about life and learning.  She is a master crafter and activity planner.  She is amazing and I'm so glad she is in our family. Happy Birthday!

 Her dessert of choice, sherbert with sprite.

some sparkle shoes Gracie picked out along with a shirt

 4th of July cake the girls helped make

Baby announcement

Our little man

Our little guy joined us 8 days early on June 4th.  Weighing in at 9lbs 21.4" long.  He is doing great and seems like a happy baby, as long as I feed him all of the time :)  Welcome to the world son!

 almost 2 weeks old

 this little guys gets held a bunch by his loving and willing sisters

 in the hospital

 proud proud papa

So sweet

the end

We finished up another school year! With it came a recital and "graduation" from preschool.  Letty got to wrap up school with a classic water day :)

 Letty with her third grade teacher

 Gracie and her friend

 Gracie with her preschool teacher

 The graduate is ready for Kindergarten

Cute ballerina

Activities in May

Here are some things that have gone on this month.  I am not sure why blogging has been harder for me since we've moved here.  I figure I better get some things documented before I really fall off of the planet after this baby comes.

 I caught Gracie playing "rocket" after she came home from Preschool with this cute space outfit.

 Gracie in her school's "Three Piggy Opera."  Her teacher said this class had the best singers that she can remember.  They did sound good especially for being 4 and 5 year olds.

 A very good friend of T's and his adorable family came to visit us overnight.  They have four lovely girls that match up pretty well in age to our girls.  Lainey and her family came over and we all had a BBQ, it was a great time.

 Gracie got to go to Papa Johns Pizza for a field trip.  They got to make their own pizzas, a fun time for all.

 Letty took some pictures while we had the young men over for a BBQ.  I think there was 30 something boys here and leaders.  They seemed to have a good time.

 Dad got to go and play soccer against Letty during the last practice.

 Last game.  They like to give out trophies here.  I don't  think it is necessary to get a trophy for participating especially after every season, that gets to be a lot of trophies.  The kids love them of course, I'm not a huge fan.

 In our yard practicing for their gymnastics recital

Now these trophies are cool!  

Gracie takes to two wheels

Gracie is now on two wheels.  After only a couple of teaching sessions, and much relief to T's back Gracie is off!  She is a proud little girl.