Guess who fell in the pool, AGAIN!

This boy keeps me on my toes.  He was racing around the pool on his trike when he cut a turn a little too sharp.  Splash!  Before I could run to him, he was swimming to the side.  

I was relieved to see him start swimming, but I could feel his heart pounding when I helped him out of the water.  He was screaming, but after a warm towel and lots of hugs, he calmed down.

Pool time

We are all really enjoying the pool this summer.  Both of the boys are swimming independently, and Ridley is a water baby.  We splashed and played all day.

It's hard to be me!

After hanging out in the hot tub, Ridley was completely worn out.  She loves to float around and watch her brothers swim and jump in the pool.  I didn't even have her dried off, and she was fast asleep.

Lake Claiborne

It is summer, and time for the lake!  We spent the weekend playing on the water with the Owens crew.  Ryland and Reed loved riding on the boat right in the front.

 

One of the favorite things for the boys, was to swim between the pontoons.  This was a highlight for Reed.  Look how happy he was!  They also had fun jumping off the boat and riding on the tubes. 

 

Obviously, the fun wore these two completely out.  

 

Swim Lessons

After Ryland took an unexpected swim, we knew he needed to freshen up his swimming skills.  We were lucky enough to get into Mrs. Sue's swim lessons after a close friend called in a favor.  The first day was a little nuts but something clicked for Ryland.  He is in love with Mrs. Sue, and he can't wait to go back again.

 

 

After swimming like fishes, the boys were rewarded with a treat of their choice.  Today their selection was a Tootsie Pop.  Yummy!

 

 

We came home and had a light lunch, and we went right outside to practice. I followed Mrs. Sue's example, and I was shocked when the boys did exactly what I told them to do. Within minutes, I had convinced Ryland to jump in and swim with his face in the water all the way to the steps.  I even got him coming up for a breath.  I was amazed! 

We were having so much fun playing in the pool, we didn't even hear Daddy pull up in the driveway.  He walked out the backdoor to surprise us, and we surprised him.  The look of shock on his face was priceless.  He wanted to know what happened at swim.  He was so proud of Ryland's progress! 

By the pool

We all enjoyed a refreshing swim this evening.  We swam and played until it was time for bed.  We all were getting out of the pool and drying off when Ryland spread out his towel and laid down.  Reed saw this and had to join in the relaxing. Silly boys!

Simming lessons

It is once again Monday and time for Ryland's swim lessons.  I had a short conversation with his teacher before the class started about him swimming at home and asked her to be a bit more aggressive with him.  She agreed and immediately put a pair of goggles on him.  I swear the goggles turned him into a under water maniac.  She still supported him on his stomach, but he swam back and forth from platform to platform with his face in the water.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  She didn't even ask him to put his face in the water, and he did.  Even as he sat on the platform waiting for his turn, he would stick his face in the water. 

Swimming like a shark

While I was at my painting class, I received a voicemail that Ryland had started swimming.  He was jumping in and swimming across the pool.  He was so excited and proud of himself, and it sounded like he was having a blast.  Before I left the art studio, I selected a Shark painting that I could give to my little shark at home.

When I got home, Ryland told me all about his swimming skills.  I told him how proud I was of him and gave him the Shark painting.  He told me he loved it and he can swim like a shark.

Swim lessons

Ryland started swimming lessons at the gym today.  He did wonderful!  He was a little hesitant at first, but he quickly warmed up to his teacher, Miss Britney.  He had a great time and was talking about next week's class as we were leaving.

Chilly hot tub

Ryland loves being in the water. I mean LOVES being in the water.
He is like a little penguin. The water is still pretty cold, but it doesn't seem to phase him.

I ask him if it is cold, and he puts his arms up to his side and shakes.

"Ooooo cold" he says, but don't even think about getting him out.

We can't wait until the water gets a little warmer, so we can start enjoying the pool. It is going to be so nice this summer when it is 100F.

Graduated swim school

Ryland had his last swim class tonight, and I am kind of glad it is over. I feel that he has learned to play more in the water, but the past couple of weeks have been a scream fest. He now knows when he has to go under water, and he doesn't want to participate. When we start singing the little song where they come to us off the wall, he goes nuts.
He has had fun playing with the other kids, and I feel more confident about what to do to help him relax and have more fun in the pool. Congrats, Ryland, you graduated Waterbabies.

Stroll around the pool

Uncle Brad and Aunt Chan came over to hang out today at the pool. It was so nice to just sit back and relax with good friends. Ryland had a fun time soaking up some sun and splashing in the water. He loves to be outside, and he thinks he is so cool with his shades on.

I do agree.

Swim school

Ryland started swim school at Emler today. It was pretty funny to watch him interact with the other kiddos in the class. It really isn't focused on swimming. It is more about being comfortable in the water. He was nervous and cried a little, but I know he will be a little submarine by the end of the summer.

After class we stopped at Starbucks for a Vanilla milk. This is the first time he held the box on his own and drank the milk. Such a big boy!

Ready for the beach

OK, we are finally ready for the beach. Swimsuits, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, towels, drinks, snacks, buckets, shovels. I think we finally have everything together. We headed out for a day of sun and fun.

Are those clouds coming in?

Before we could even get out to the beach and put our stuff down, the clouds rolled in, and the wind started blowing.

We decided to just hang out and see if the clouds would blow by quickly. It was a great opportunity to take a couple of quick photos.

Ryland did not seem to care about not making it to the beach before the storm. He was very happy playing with the hose and faucet.

He has got it figured out. He knows you turn the top handle to make the water come out, but he isn't quite strong enough yet.

He is one happy boy!

Sunday fun in the water

Ryland meets Jackson's sprinkler. He can't quite figure out what to do and how to get away.
Even though the water is still pretty chilly, the kiddos couldn't help themselves. They had to get in.
Ryland is still loving this little frog splash pool.

We had a great time relaxing and visiting with the Owens. It was so nice out. The perfect way to wrap up a weekend.

Night swimming

We are still unable to use sunscreen on Ryland, so we are doing all of our swimming at night. He modeled his new swim trunks and looked adorable. He loves for us to pull him through the water.
My boys love to swim. Even Cooper jumped him for some late night laps.

We played bounce in the water, and he made happy giggles.

All done swimming. He looks like a green highlighter in his hooded towel. A cute highlighter!