Our Baby Fish

It has become more apparent this summer that KK & AJ are little fishies. They have a real love for the water (well pool water anyway, we haven't ventured toward lakes or oceans just yet) and they have no apparent fear. As I almost drowned twice as a toddler in my rush to get into the water (Opa saved me both times, whew), and I could be found as a child near anything that held water, I know that this is definitely something I share with my water babies. I have no one else to blame but myself!

KK has been swimming since she was 6 months old, but it was last summer where she started to show us just how much she loved to go under and jump into the pool. This summer has only increased that. KK dives headfirst into the 11 foot diving area (daddy is there to catch her and point her back to "shore"), she jumps from the side of the pool into 4-5 foot deep water and thinks its amazing that she can touch the bottom and swim to the top, she jumps through a waterfall into deep water (at our waterfall pool we can sit behind the waterfall on a ledge and jump out from there) and she is really starting to actually swim by herself in the deep end without jumps or help from us.

She loves the pool and begs us daily to go. While most kids her age are in the shallow end or by the bucket pool, KK is in the deep end jumping over and over again without taking a break unless she is forced to. Here are some pictures of her jumping into the 5 foot water. I hope to bring some video later of her dives and waterfall jumps...

AJ was 3-6 months old last summer, so his water experience was limited to short jaunts with Mommy before shivering and wanting a nap. Regardless, he has joined ranks with Sissy and is just as fearless and active. Our summer started with AJ finding new freedom in being able to walk around the shallow end and around the bucket pool with just his little shovel in his hand (in a kung-fu grip that no one is able to crack I might add). Slowly this changed to him thinking it was a fun game when he would fall into the water and go under for a moment before we pulled him up.

That has fully changed now. AJ heads for the shallow end, and continues walking quickly until the water is up to his ears. If I pull him back to shallower water, he proceeds to fall to his knees so he can go under or crawl-swim around fully immersed. Thanks to some encouragement from Dada and Sissy, AJ now also loves jumping off the ledge into the deep end and going under fully before coming back up.

He is actually holding his breath the whole time now, pretty impressive for a 16 month old. He also started diving in the 11 foot pool with KK last week. People around us were very amazed to watch him walk to the ledge of the diving pool and just jump straight in without hesitating. I might have been holding in a breathe (or sceam) as I watched my baby but I knew Daddy was there. We haven't had any waterfall dives (nor will we this year) but to my surprise AJ was all about sitting on the ledge behind the falls and watching the water come down around us. Here are some pictures of our little AJ at the pool.

Like I said, no fear. But Daddy & I are teaching both of them to respect the water, and so far I think they have the message.

As a last note, it never fails to crack me up, while KK refuses to leave the pool, AJ's favorite part appears to be the showers. He will stand under the warm water for ten minutes or more, just enjoying the spray and thinking he is so big to be standing there washing like the big boys. Its adorable!

More later - I better get some rest as tomorrow is Saturday and that means we will be at the pool once again! G'night!

Oma & Opa Visit

Today Oma & Opa arrived with Aunt Ines & Ida in tow! KK was waiting by the window all morning in anticipation, she was so excited. Before everyone could even get in the door the kids were exchanging presents they had gotten each other and were running around playing.

KK is always the big sister, but when her cousin is here she just follows her around with big puppy eyes. She adores her and looks up to her and pretty much won't leave her side (something that is hard for an only child to take, but Ida puts up with it very well.

Aunt Ines & the girls cuddled on the couch and read some books together, while Alex and Oma snuggled together in the other room. After some R&R we were off to A&G's house to celebrate my upcoming birthday and just to see each other again (it had been a long long time).

More pictures later....

Carousel

With such a crazy week at work, we were ready to have some fun together today.

Sadly, the rain clouds took away our chance to go to the pool. So we decided to go to McDonalds for breakfast and to play in the play area. AJ is a tornado in there, climbing and jumping on things and passing the big kids (even his big sister) as he races up the slide. It was fun to watch.

After a nap and lunch, we decided to head to the mall to browse the windows and ride the carousel, something KK has been asking for lately. It was a lot of fun, our kids are great shoppers. We hit up the Disney store and KK got a new nightgown with Ariel, her latest favorite princess. AJ wanted some toy story jams but they were too big for him, so he got a bowl and plate instead.

The carousel pictures tell the fun part of our day. AJ was such a stinker, he was making these "terrified" faces and the ride wasn't even moving. We even sat on horses that didn't go up and down... he had us all laughing the whole ride.

Bring on the sunshine tomorrow.. we are thinking pool & picnic! Sweet dreams...

Happy 4th of July

What a whirlwind weekend we just had! Despite working a lot before and long after our holiday weekend, we made the most out of our 3 day vacation. KK has wanted a "purple" room for awhile now, and despite our best intentions we have put it off. With her cousin soon to visit, it was crunch time, and we thought a nice 3 day weekend would be perfect to do the job. Little did we expect Oma & Opa to call and ask to visit while in town to see a doctor. So my amazing hubby stepped up his game and painted his bootie off. He started Friday night at 9pm and was finished priming, painting and detailing by Sunday at noon when they arrived. Wow! Did we mention the room was hot pink with chair rail? It was quite a task but he did it and it looks amazing! Final pictures on that later... for now here is KK painting her own room!




We spent the 2nd half of the weekend relaxing. KK went to her 1st official fireworks show! G and I took her to the Lake and we watched the 30 minute show over the water - it was fun. We were trying to tell her about the finale and how it was the best part... but in our enthusiasm for the finale, we kept calling it and then the show would just keep going... after 10 finales, KK decided she was over it and focused on her snacks and cuddling. But it was still so much fun. AJ will definitely join us next year.

Otherwise, time was spent with Oma and Opa playing in the house and taking naps. The kids had a lot of fun!






We did go to the pool twice, despite the showers from "Hurricane Alex". Having attempted to clean up with our little man for months now, I will agree its like being with a wild storm so it is fitting that a hurricane be named after him.

Happy 4th of July! God Bless America (and per KK, God Bless Texas)!