Summer 2011

Being in Florida, accidental drownings are one of the top reasons for children's deaths 5 and under and learning to swim has been a priority, but the kids have been reticent to learning from us and swim lessons aren't cheap. Over time, we have taken every opportunity to teach basic kicking and paddling skills. Last summer, the girls were swimming enough to make it to the edge of the pool, but Hunter was only content in his floaties. This summer, we started taking them to the pool frequently and at one of their friend's parties, they saw most of their friends swimming on their own -without floaties. I think that was the motivation they needed to really try. Finally, after many screaming fits, mostly by us parents, the kids started to trust us to teach them to swim and they are swimming like fish. I am soooo excited!!! Allie and Gabby can swim from one side of the pool to the other, above water. Hunter on the other hand, likes to swim with his face underwater. He too got on the bandwagon. It has been the best (and hardest) thing we have taught them to date, but when you sit back and see their talent, you can't help but smile with pride. We did it!

Birthday 2011

The kids had their 5th Birthday this year at Birthday World in April (yes their birthday is still April 3). We invited several of their friends from school, but only a few could make it unfortunately - their birthday just happens to coincide with Spring Break. They had a blast with their friends, their brother Dylan, grandmother, cousin, and Auntie. Here are a few pics from the Birthday Party. They didn't notice that so many couldn't come, telling me "Mommy, that was the best birthday ever."