The beginning of our summer was also full of "lessons." Zac, Ally and Brook all wanted to take swimming lessons. They loved being in the water, channeling their inner fish and I loved that they all had class at the same time, so it was one trip to the pool. Joseph was at home so I did not have to chase Sam around and worry about keeping him out of the water. I actually got to watch the kids swim.
All three kids had great teachers, especially Brook. Somehow, there only ended up being two little girls in the class. A perfect first experience with swim lessons. Sam was amazing with them. She had them putting their faces in and blowing bubbles. She even convinced Brook to jump off the side of the pool, where she caught Brook and took her all the way under the water. Here Brook is showing off her scissor kicks. She still does her "swimming lesson bubbles" in the bath tub. Thanks, Sam.
Ally loved her teachers as well. She improved her front and back float and left her face in the water for a little longer than she did last year. Slow and steady improvement. We'll take it.
Zac was super excited that part of his lessons were in the deep end. He learned to tread water and pencil dive into the pool.
During the end of May and all through June we logged many hours at the ballpark. Ally played her first year of Tball. She was on the Cubs, just like Sariah and Zac their first year. So now we have three Cubs hats to keep track of.
I managed to snap one or two action shots in between cheering and keeping tabs on the other kids. I was proud of the way she hustled and participated. She has informed me that she wants to play softball with the big girls. I have a feeling that we will spend many more summers cheering her on.
Zac played for the Orioles this season. He had an amazing coach (Joseph) who had an amazing assistant (me) who made many phone calls to keep the team informed and on schedule. They played on the bigger fields this year so it was a little harder to take pictures.
He did well and had a few great hits. Baseball is in his blood. Like father, like son.
Sam loved running around at the games. Sometimes it was a challenge to keep him off the field, out of the dirt, and protected from the sun, while still witnessing all the amazing plays Zac and Ally needed me to see. I also had to make sure Sam did not eat the rocks. He is ALL boy.
Brook was a good sport about being hauled around to all the games. She'll be old enough to join the fun next year if she wants to.
Sariah was a good spectator as well. She especially loved when Grandma and Grandpa Anson came to watch the games with us. And so did I. It was a big help to have extra hands and eyes, especially for the games when Joseph was out of town.
This summer Sariah opted for art class. She loved going each morning with her friends, Shawnie and Nicole. She created many masterpieces. On the last day of class, our family got to go to the art show. Each student presented his favorite piece. Sariah showed us a picture of a camel she worked hard on. Then we got to walk down the hall and look at the gallery. It was a great experience for her. I love watching the kids develop talents and learn new things. I can see their confidence growing and that makes my heart happy.
The beginning of our summer was also full of "lessons." Zac, Ally and Brook all wanted to take swimming lessons. They loved being in the water, channeling their inner fish and I loved that they all had class at the same time, so it was one trip to the pool. Joseph was at home so I did not have to chase Sam around and worry about keeping him out of the water. I actually got to watch the kids swim. 
All three kids had great teachers, especially Brook. Somehow, there only ended up being two little girls in the class. A perfect first experience with swim lessons. Sam was amazing with them. She had them putting their faces in and blowing bubbles. She even convinced Brook to jump off the side of the pool, where she caught Brook and took her all the way under the water. Here Brook is showing off her scissor kicks. She still does her "swimming lesson bubbles" in the bath tub. Thanks, Sam.
Ally loved her teachers as well. She improved her front and back float and left her face in the water for a little longer than she did last year. Slow and steady improvement. We'll take it.
Zac was super excited that part of his lessons were in the deep end. He learned to tread water and pencil dive into the pool. 
During the end of May and all through June we logged many hours at the ballpark. Ally played her first year of Tball. She was on the Cubs, just like Sariah and Zac their first year. So now we have three Cubs hats to keep track of. 
I managed to snap one or two action shots in between cheering and keeping tabs on the other kids. I was proud of the way she hustled and participated. She has informed me that she wants to play softball with the big girls. I have a feeling that we will spend many more summers cheering her on.
Zac played for the Orioles this season. He had an amazing coach (Joseph) who had an amazing assistant (me) who made many phone calls to keep the team informed and on schedule. They played on the bigger fields this year so it was a little harder to take pictures.
He did well and had a few great hits. Baseball is in his blood. Like father, like son.
Sam loved running around at the games. Sometimes it was a challenge to keep him off the field, out of the dirt, and protected from the sun, while still witnessing all the amazing plays Zac and Ally needed me to see. I also had to make sure Sam did not eat the rocks. He is ALL boy.
Brook was a good sport about being hauled around to all the games. She'll be old enough to join the fun next year if she wants to.
Sariah was a good spectator as well. She especially loved when Grandma and Grandpa Anson came to watch the games with us. And so did I. It was a big help to have extra hands and eyes, especially for the games when Joseph was out of town.
This summer Sariah opted for art class. She loved going each morning with her friends, Shawnie and Nicole. She created many masterpieces. On the last day of class, our family got to go to the art show. Each student presented his favorite piece. Sariah showed us a picture of a camel she worked hard on. Then we got to walk down the hall and look at the gallery. It was a great experience for her. I love watching the kids develop talents and learn new things. I can see their confidence growing and that makes my heart happy.
