Summer fun!

One of the very best things about this summer is swim team! Last year was good, but this year is GREAT. This year Zoe has really stepped up her game and decided to be a REAL SWIMMER. Last summer she really wanted to be on swim team, but when it came right down to it and it was time to practice, she was usually too scared (or something) and didn't want to get in the water. This year she had to be very brave, but on the first day she hopped right in the water and started swimming. I think this picture was taken was the third day of swim. She was swimming in the far left lane by the wall, and right after I took this picture her coach asked her to MOVE UP TO THE MIDDLE LANE because she was easily swimming the whole distance without holding onto the wall. When he told her to move up, I think she grew a whole inch, she was so dang proud of herself. Here she is with her friends Olivia and Julia.



Here she is swimming freestyle. She has not mastered breathing to the side yet, but she's working on it (still). She needs to get her arms out of the water, it's tough.


SO HAPPY AND PROUD. We talk about it all the time. (By the way, yes, this is her competitive Hello Kitty swimsuit.)


Pierce is at the top of the 9-10 year old age group. He's been smoking past most of the other boys in the meets (we've had 2 so far). There are a couple of boys that are real competition and he's been having fun making sure he's in their heat so he can try to beat them.


Every day after swim, the kids' friends Julia and Dallin come home with us for a few minutes while their little brother has his swim lesson. The girls always take Kepler for a walk, then eat a popsicle. Zoe drew this picture on the pantry door/chalkboard, we love it. Kepler is getting so stiff and old, it's getting tough for her to get around, but it's worth it and she does still seem to enjoy going on a walk around the block. (Sometimes twice, both girls like to hold the leash once.)


We've also been doing some cooking. Here's Pierce peeling potatoes. He used to hate potatoes, it was a good joke of ours to tell him we'd go out to eat at Potato Palace. But now he loves them and he's making mashed potatoes all by himself here.




"Can I have a turn?" Of course Zoe wants to do it too.


Thanks Pierce and Zoe! Great cooking.