Swim lessons

The kids completed 6 weeks of swim lessons this summer, 4 days a week. They both loved it and improved so much! Bonnie started out the summer having to get comfortable again putting her head in the water, and re-learning how to swim a small distance. Now she is swimming freestyle, able to breath and continue swimming, jump in the deep end and can swim all the way across the width of Grandma and Grandpa Dave's pool with ease. 

Riser started off this season giving me mini panic attacks because he refused to wear any sort of floatie and would cannonball into the water and just sink, and then I would pull him out and he would want to do it over and over again. And then he wouldn't even want me to touch him because he had full faith in his own abilities to swim (which were none). 

Needless to say, I need this kid to learn how to swim safely. Originally I tried to put him in lessons but was told he is too young. However on Bonnie's first day of swim lessons, they saw him jump in and care none about going under water and decided he was ready for lessons - he was in!

He finished out the Summer still not able to swim much, but at least enough to go a short distance to the side of the pool, he learned out to get himself in and out of the side of the pool without help, and how to monkey crawl on the side of the pool. I have a feeling he will be swimming next summer, at least I hope so.

VBS

Chapel did such an amazing job with the VBS theme this year - Scuba! The kids thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. There was so much to do we were never able to do everything in one night. There were petting zoos, science experiments, inflatable bounce houses and slides, games, crafts, music, lessons, food, and so much more. We look forward to it every year! We are so thankful for all the hard work they put into it and all the amazing volunteers. 

July extras

July consisted of more water time - swim lessons, Water Country, Busch Gardens, boat rides, car washing, and water fun in the backyard. We also went to the library every week for the summer reading program, enjoyed Chapel family picnics, VBS, and more baking than usual. 

One week at the library we happened to catch puppet story time as well. 

The kids loved helping wash my car. 

Riser is starting to show a lot of co-dependency on his older sister.

Riser has enjoyed the boat more this year than last. 

He is also loving swim lessons. 

Bonnie would count down the days to the picnic each week.

I got to celebrate a friend's birthday at Busch Gardens one night.

Riser had his own little car wash on the back deck. 

The kids' version of building a fort and watching a movie one rainy weekend.

We made our own water slide at home.

We went to a friend's backyard birthday party.

Dinner at Water Country.

Bonnie being silly during quiet time. 

Breakfast with Riser.

Some of the swim lesson crew.

Helping make pancakes in the morning. 

Afternoon fishing. 

We got to do Water Country with cousins which is always so much more fun.

This boy loves blankets. 

The kids and I walked to a nearby playground one morning while I was getting my tire plugged. 

Riser requested a turtle pancake.

We went on a hike and the kids loved catching baby frogs. 

We've made lots of cookies and bread.

We went to Busch Gardens with friends one afternoon thinking it was going to be gloomy and cooler out. It turned out to be sunny and very hot, so we found all the water things to do.

Riser was going commando (and loved it) because I didn't anticipate needing a swim diaper. 

It was another hot month, but still enjoying my favorite season of the year!