Swim Lessons

We just finished two weeks of swimming lessons at Midvale Middle School.  They had a time where you could have lessons at the same time that Kate and I had mommy and me classes, so it worked out great.  

You seemed to really like the lessons and I think you've made a lot of progress with being comfortable in the water and on your way to develop some actual skills that will come in handy when you're in the pool!  I was actually super surprised to see you walking up to the diving board this week.  Once you got up there I think you changed your mind, but a teacher got up there with you and 'helped' you a little into the pool.  I was hoping you would have liked it... but I don't think you did.  Afterwards you were a little gun shy on even jumping into the pool without holding on to your teachers fingers.  

Anyway... we managed to get a few blurry pictures.  I think I'll take the next two weeks off and then have us back in the pool for another session before the end of the summer.  (I guess the mommy and me classes on top of being pregnant REALLY wears me out -I need a break!)

The other day...

The other day I was sitting in the living room with two kids on my lap.  On either side of my big belly with another kid on the way.

I was pretty happy.  I have cute, healthy kids.  Another one on the way.  I nice home, and good husband, and I was content.  If only for a moment.

I just thought it should be documented!

New bed

With each new sister or brother means a new bed and bedroom arrangement for you.  We had a few options this time around, and although I'm a little afraid (a lot) about what is going to happen when Kate actually moves in to your room, it's happening.  And since your dad is involved, things happen a little sooner than later.  I think he just get's excited about change.

Anyway, I left for two days and came home to this...

Two new toddler IKEA beds with new bedding.  The red one (Kate's) is mostly empty for now, I'm not in any kind of hurry to see how that goes.  You seem to love the new bed and having the two smaller beds leaves a lot of space in the room.

Possibly the best thing would be there is a full mattress set in the unfinished basement.  Which is where I might be sleeping for the remainder of the summer.

Camping and Fishing

I posted all about our camping vacation/reunion on the family blog... but I suppose I should have the pictures and everything here too.

Denise's family reunion was in Midway this year -which was nice and close for us.  Only an hour away, 2 minutes from civilization, and a nice camping ground with shade and grass a mile away from a great fishing pond.  It was great.

Grandpa Lafeen spent part of the days running back and forth from Salt Lake to make baseball games, and take April to a dance recital, but when he was there -you LOVED it!

Sorry about the spots on the pictures... I need a new camera!

The good stuff

I'm currently reading a child-rearing book for bookclub and I've come across an interesting chapter about labels.  I've been through countless classes (high school, college, and professional) and heard all the evils of labeling kids, the self fulfilling prophesy etc.  But, I suppose this might be the first time I've thought about it since becoming a parent myself -and already seeing how easy and how often I do it.

So... in an effort to bring out the positive aspects of your personality so far, but not put a label on it (this might be difficult) I wanted to write down a few things.

-You can have a lot of energy, a lot of the time.  As you get older, there is more of a tendency to have a few minutes here and there of 'down time' -usually it's when you're interested in something on tv or the iPad (so, I'm not sure how good that is), but most of the time you are a busy little boy.  Excuse me, BIG boy.

-You can show a lot of concern and sometimes a bit of empathy towards others, especially your sister.

-You can be very inquisitive.  You often ask questions when people say things you don't understand -either words or phrases.  I guess dad told you to stay off some big rocks at baseball tonight or you'd fall and your brains would fall out???, and you had an entire conversation about where your brains were and why.  And, the other day while with Grandma Hardcastle she kept saying 'Okey, Dokey'.  You asked her what 'okey, dokey' was and when she said it meant 'okay', you asked her to just say 'okay'.

-You can be very thoughtful and loving, even if you don't quite know what you're doing yet.  You often tell me, "Happy Mother's Day" and the other day said I was a good mom because I turned on a tv show you liked.

-You also can be very affectionate.  Something that I'm sure you have picked up from your dad.

-You have started to show a sense of humor.  Many times you laugh when others laugh or you think you should but you've started to play little tricks on us and think you're just hilarious!

-I'm not sure how to word this and have it not be a label or category... but you have shown that you have a great memory.  It seems like you're selective in the things you choose to remember or at least follow through with (I'm quite certain you remember me telling you not to jump, climb, or run in the house although that is not something you often choose to remember).  But, you can remember places we go, places I've told you we'll go, and all sorts of things, especially if it involves treats and or something else for you.

That's all I can think of right now (and I'm hoping to get one of these for your sister before I fall asleep as well).  I'm sure as you get older and mature, we'll see a whole lot more of your personality and potential!