Summer Break: Week 2

Dearest Boys,

This post is coming to you live from Week FIVE!  Sooo, I don't actually remember what we did during week two of summer break.  But I assure you, it was relaxing because that has been our theme all summer!

As I look back through the camera, the only pictures I took during that time frame were from your last day of swim lessons.  We hired Ms. Halle (a neighbor and one of the coaches on our neighborhood's swim team) to come to our house everyday from 12:00 - 1:00 for the first two weeks of the summer.

Jackson, your swimming goals were to have better control of your breathing as you swam and to use a more efficient technique (although the doggy paddle has been getting you around just fine for the last few summers).

Colt, your swim goals were simply to enjoy the water independently.  You clung to adults and had somewhat of a fear of the water.

I saw progress from the both of you so I think it was money well spent!  Daddy was such a fan of your new skills that he wanted Ms. Halle to come back for another two weeks of classes!  We've been in the pool almost every day this summer and my heart smiles when I see how much enjoyment you boys get from splashing around!

Summer Break: Week One

Dearest Boys,

Our first week of summer break was near perfection.  Instead of packing our schedule with trips across the metroplex, we hit the easy button.  Life was relaxing, unplanned, and left me wondering, "Why haven't I been doing this every summer??"

A picture a day from our delightfully dull week:

Monday:  Y'all helped me move into my new classroom.

Tuesday:  We played at the Lawson's house and dressing up was part of the fun.  ((Logan as Hulk & Jax as Spiderman))

Wednesday:  Grocery shopping at our new favorite store (mainly because of their fun carts!)

Thursday:  Swim lessons Day 3/8 - Colt, you're practicing blowing bubbles.

Friday:  Backyard fun at the Vaughn's house

Today has followed the chill pattern.  This morning, your dad asked me the same question he asks me every Saturday morning - "What do we have going on today?" and he was shocked when I responded with, "Nada!"  So far, "Nada" has included yard work, buying pieces for a project at Lowe's, swimming, eating lunch outside, and a 2-hour nap.  

I could soooo get used to this!

Start your engines!

Dearest Jax,

You were lucky enough to experience another first recently.  Daddy and Andy took you with them to the IndyCar race at Texas Motor Speedway!  Racing is just one of the many sports that you like to watch on tv so we thought you'd enjoy it in person and we were right!  

I am so glad that your dad asked someone to take this picture!

You hung in there until the very end and said you want to go again!

The other women in your lives

Dearest Colton and Jax,

We made it to summer!  

Thursday, June 6th was our last day of school and I think the 3 of us all felt very differently about the end of the year.  

Colt, you were indifferent as you'll see Stephy a few times throughout the summer and get to play with your friends again next year (not to mention, you're two and have no concept of summer vacation).  You were 1 of 7 this year (in age order:  Kate, Ella, you, Drew, Cole, Dex, and Evan) and you had another fabulous year with Stephy.  I dropped you off every morning a little after 7:00 and picked you up every day between 4:00 and 5:00.  You told me about your day on our drives home and it seems like your favorite things at Steph's house were playing upstairs, playing with play-doh, and helping with the baby.  Stephanie remains as one of the biggest blessings in our lives.  I could take so many lessons from her as I am in awe by her nurturing spirit, her gentleness, and her patience.  When I asked you to take a picture with her on your last day, you jumped in her arms for a hug and then "cheesed" with your biggest smile!  

Jax, you were thrilled and had been counting down the days!  It seems like you were ready for summer vacation right after Spring Break.  While you loved going to school to play with your friends everyday, you came to really despise nap time.  Unfortunately, it was required at your school every day and you simply aren't much of a napper anymore.  You learned SO much this year....from the basics, like this is how to go through the lunch line to the life lessons, like this is how to make new friends to the academics, like this is how to add two numbers.  I was constantly impressed by the new things you learned!  You had 2 teachers - Ms. Salazar (pictured below) and Mrs. Green and about 17 classmates (???kids came and went throughout the year???).  Daddy dropped you off every morning around 7:15 and I picked you up every afternoon between 4:00 and 5:00.  Your favorite things about school were playing in the gym, using the iPad, and doing your assigned classroom job (especially meteorologist and camera operator!).  A friend attended your class' EOY party and got these two pictures for me.

I, on the other hand, was quite emotional.  I was teary because I had to say goodbye to the best class I've ever had and their amazing parents.  I was sad because I also had to say goodbye to my colleagues as I'll be teaching at another campus next year.  And I was melancholy as I tried to wrap my brain around the thought that our "baby" will be going off to Kindergarten in just a few months.   

Regardless of how we were feeling last week, we're all basking in the sun this week & soaking up the summer fun!

Future Swim Team!

Dear Jackson & Colton,

While swimming as a family definitely seems like one of your favorite things - you were chomping at the bit to swim with some friends in our new pool.  That's why you literally were counting down the days to last Saturday!  We invited the Facklers, Raineys, and Vaughns to our house for our first mini-party.

Actually, I was counting down too as I love spending time with these ladies!!

I think the dads enjoy the man-time equally as much!

We simply ordered pizza and our sweet friends pitched in to make it a complete meal.  

Jax, you manned this water shooter for much of the afternoon.

Kids were jumping from the diving board left and right -- but I think I was on the wrong camera setting to capture their skills....

I love this group of friends so much!

Colt, you preferred the action out of the pool....

Snorkeling - sans water...

Flirting with your favorite young lady...

And a variation of water aerobics...

It was a great afternoon that I hope to repeat more than a few times!

Memorial Weekend

Dearest Jackson and Colt,

Last weekend we drove north to OKC and stayed with The Lakes for two nights.  While Daddy helped Andy plant trees in the backyard, we joined Katie & Suzanne at The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.  They were hosting an event for kids and I think you both enjoyed it.

We have a similar museum over in Fort Worth.  Now we might have to give it a try!

Outdoor Play

Dearest Boys,

Luckily, I have a coworker with boys just a few years older than you.  When her boys outgrow their things, they pass some of it down to you.  Just recently they gave you a bike without training wheels and a rolly scooter (I totally just made that name up as I have no idea what it's actually called!).

You were both so excited so we took our "new" toys to the backyard.

Jax, you had zero hangups about trying out a bike without training wheels!  Your "get 'r done" nature impresses me constantly!  Of course, Daddy started by holding on at first.

But, about a minute later, all he was doing was providing your initial push to get you going.

 And, in true Jackson fashion, you were peddling all over that yard like a pro!

Getting back up and started after a fall is still a bit tricky but you're getting better and better.

However, I must confess that we haven't let you take to the street yet.....I'm just not ready for the serious spills and owwies yet!

Meanwhile, Colt, you hopped on the rolly scooter (that's what we're calling it, right?) and hand-cranked your way around the pool!  And looked precious doing so, I must say!

Have I mentioned how much I love our backyard??