Underwater

We live at our neighborhood pool in the summer. At least 3 or 4 times a week the kids and I go straight from our jammies into our swimsuits and stay til they are exhausted or starving. Lucy started the summer out as a great little swimmer but refused to lift her head up to breathe so she wouldn't go beyond a 12 foot radius. She finally became independent and started lifting her face up to breathe. I love how confident she has gotten and will swim down and touch the bottom and pop up to breathe before swimming on. Scotty has also gone from barely wanting to get in every day to jumping in without floaties and swimming to me. The only downside is now I have to watch him like a hawk.

One day while we were at our neighborhood pool my neighbor showed up with her underwater camera and took some fun pictures for us.

 It was harder than it looked to try and hold 3 girls under water at the same time.

 Hannah's mermaid tail took her a few times to figure out and now it is the coolest thing ever.

 She can out swim all of us and stays under water forever.

I am dreading that it's almost August and these days are going to come to a close next month!

Last Days of School

I was the mom who used to think homeschooling was the best and only option. Two years ago upon moving to Texas I realized I was so very wrong. Individual schools/children/needs/teachers make all the difference. I can't tell you how happy I am that these big 3 are in school. Sippel has been an amazing school and the teachers are topnotch. These kids are learning, growing, and have made wonderful friends. I ate lunch with the kids a ton and loved that all of the teachers have an open door policy. Anytime you want, you can just pop in. So upon visiting one classroom or helping with a class party I could walk in and say hi to the other two anytime I wanted. 

Mallie and her teacher Mrs. String. We loved her! She had every mormon kid from the ward in her kindergarten class by chance. She was the perfect kinder teacher. Kind, super fun and had loads of patient. It was so fun to watch all those kids in there.

 Here is Hannah and Mrs. Cecchini. Right away this awesome woman got Hannah. Right away she allowed her to use her nurturing skills to help a sweet boy in a wheel chair this year. It gave Hannah (who loves to be in charge) someone to help and love.

Here is Ashton after his program and Mrs. Sardella. She is amazing (and British!) and calls everyone "love". She let Ashton bring in Lucy, Scotty and Rachel for show and tell one day. After that the little three always stopped in the classroom and loved it. Mrs. Sardella pushed Ashton to grow this year and consequently he finally got into Gifted and Talented (his goal since starting elementary school).

  Here are our first/last day pictures to compare. Ashton looks the same!

 Hannah grew in some new teeth!

 Mallie's change is crazy! I can't believe just a year made such a difference.

Oh these kiddos make my heart happy. I'm so glad I get them home for the summer.