Swimming: take two

On Thursday after James got off work we gathered up all our swimming gear and rushed across  town to go swimming.  Gwenevere had been asking to go swimming for a few weeks and we finally had a free day to do it so we were all excited.

When we got to the swimming pool we where informed that open swimming was earlier that day and the pool was now closed for open swim.  :-(  It turns out that the swim schedule I checked and double checked was actually to a different swimming pool.  "Not cool Mom, not cool."

We wiped away the tears and then went to a park to play until the birds few away and the sun had set.

So on Friday we did it again, but this time we made it to the swimming pool 45 minutes early to have a picnic dinner and get dressed for swimming.

I love that my girls love to swim.

After spending an hour and a half at the swimming pool we drove home.   The girls in their PJs already asleep.  It was a wonderful Daddy, Daughter, Daughter Mommy Date night.

Saturday James spent some time figuring out which gym membership we should get so we can have many many more swimming parties.

Grace quickly recovered from her fall and enjoyed the remaining time swimming close to Papa.

Growing Grace

Grace at 13 months

Started to walk September 15th and is getting better everyday

She loves to talk.  Lately when Gwenevere yells "MOM!"  Grace will yell mom too,  usually right after I tell Gwenevere not to yell at me but to ask nicely.  It really is funny.

Grace also loves to practice saying her vales A E I O U.  Whenever we're driving in the car Grace starts to practice.

Grace will wave bye and say "night, night"  when she wants to go to sleep.  She will also say "No and run away when she does not want to go to sleep.

she also loves to say the word apple, yet she hates apple juice, apple sauce, and apples slices.

Grace loves brushing her teeth and taking a bath,

Grace shares a bed with her big sister now.  The first couple of night I found Gwenevere's leg or arm or head sleeping on top of Grace's legs or stomach, but now Grace pushes her big sister off.  And Grace's sleep habits are slowly improving.  Big Relief.

"What mom? I wasn't splashing"

"Ah you caught me" 

Happiest when she's outside

eating play dough

late night play time with Papa,  

"Look Papa I can climb on my toy."

"Now I want a push please."

No fear, but is cautious.

Grace always seems to be holding a stuff animal.

I think she is a very pretty little girl.

The concentration walk

This is the "pick me up face," 

Grace's hair is starting to curl.  I don't think it will be like Gwenevere's hair but than again Gwenevere hair didn't start to girl until she was about 2.  

Walking

walks to the park and playing with neighbors.

We're really enjoying our September.  We've had non stop fun around this house.  And I'm not ready to give it up.  Plus the weather lately has been perfect.

On the way to the park 

(aka Alisha's Park, the school next to our house where Alisha would take Gwenevere to play)

This is how we roll

Other evenings we stay home and play with our friends.  I'm so grateful for good neighbors.  I love that I feel it's safe to let my three year old play with our neighbors.  They take good care of her and  keep her safe while I make dinner.

These two little ladies are the little Moms,  they make sure all the kids are obeying the rules.

They also like to watch Grace for me so she can play in the grass while I cook.

I'm so spoiled.

Meet Gwenevere's future husband.
Yes; Gwenevere has accepted his proposal and is patiently waiting till her Papa gives them permission.  Papa says she has to be at least 20 before they marry.
Until then he's practicing building her a house and she practicing giving him orders.
Oh boy!

But they do work well together.

I love Mondays

Family home evening isn't just for the evenings anymore.
James works Four 10 hour shifts each week and recently was given Monday as his extra day off.

We've made Monday our extra family day and we plan to use it to the max.

For Family Home Evening we went biking on the Puyallup bike trail and had a picnic lunch in a little meadow along the way.

Stay tuned for our next adventure.