SUMMER SWIMMING 2013

This summer we went to the pool almost every single day! I LOVED it. There's something magical about little kids splashing and playing in the water. I purchased a Family swim pass which allowed us to visit all the public pools in the city of Mesa. (There are 9 total).

BRIMHALL POOL:

CARSON POOL:

FREMONT:

Callie's official "first swim!" happened here. (July 23rd)

KINO:  

RHODES:

The "FLOW RIDER" at the Rhodes pool: (Mason LOVED this) 

SHEPHERD:

 

Noah went down the water-slide for the FIRST time ever!! (July 15th)

SKYLINE:

Noah jumped off the diving board for the first time!!! (July 13th)

STAPLEY:

 Callie LOVED having her picture taken at this pool (not sure why this specific pool) she would come up and to me and say "Take my picture!" then dive under the water like this, over and over again. Too cute!

TAYLOR:

Mason is quite the little adventurist. The rules say you have to be at least eight years old to jump off the high dive. Mason knows this but still tests his boundaries until the lifeguards wise up and ask him how old he is. Which sometimes NEVER happens (depending on the pool and on the particular lifeguard). I'm very proud of him for telling the truth ALMOST every time and reluctantly admitting to be 6 and NOT 8. One of my favorite pool memories this summer is the number of friends Mason got to go off the high dive with him. He had quite a few friends (even older kids) who had NEVER jumped from the high dive and because of Mason's encouragement and "peer pressure" they made their first jump. Maybe I'm a bad mom for enjoying this and letting my kid bend the rules but I really love Mason's zest for life.

Callie is swimming!

 Fabulous Day! Callie swam today. Such an amazing experience. All summer she has loved every minute of being in the water. The past few weeks she has been requesting "Mommy! Let go. I swim by myself." Too cute. Well, today I finally let go and she swam! She is far from being water safe but she sure made me proud!!! She kept swimming back and forth from me and the steps. Best afternoon ever!

Miracle Sunday

Not sure how this happened, but today ALL 3 of my children fell asleep in Sacrament meeting! Miracles do happen.

SUCCESS!!!

All summer long I have tried to convince Noah to go off the diving board. On July 4th he went off the diving board at our friends house, but still has never used the driving boards at the public pools. Today we went to the Skyline pool and once again I tried every attempt to convince him! I bribed him with money $1...even $5! Every attempt failed, he would respond "No thanks!"or "Nah. I don't want to."or "Not today." Too funny! Finally, I tried bribing him with a red box rental! I could tell that this sparked his interest. I went with it "Noah. You can pick the movie out and we will watch it tonight!" He was slightly hesitant but agreed. We stood in line together. He told me he wanted me to go off the diving board after he did. I anxiously waited and watched as he confidently walked to the edge of the board, jumped a few times and bounded into the water! After that he went again and again and again, (had to stop when the pool closed)! Words can't describe how proud I am of this boy. I knew he could do it! It was just a matter of confidence. Noah's little personality is fun to figure out. I always joke with people that I don't have to worry about peer pressure issues with him. He is definitely not going to do anything he doesn't want to do or anything he thinks is dumb. Noah does things when he is good and ready, and with confidence!

Independence Day!

July 3rd: We started off 4th of July celebration with our traditional BBQ at the Talley's! For the past 11 years Ron and I have spent 4th of July with Jeff Talley (I think we only missed 1 or 2 years in there somewhere along the way).

 Jeff and Lindsey!

 While trying to take this group picture Lindsey reviewed the picture and says "Oh. Someone need to stand in front of me for the next picture" Mason looks at Lindsey and responds "Is it because you think your legs look fat? My mom says that too." Funny kid!

Of course we spent Independence Day morning at our annual breakfast at the the church and our neighborhood parade! Super fun. After being so miserable last year I decided to ride the quad this year. I know I know, I'm lazy!

 I didn't even see Mason the entire parade,because he was riding at the front and I was riding in the rear.

 Snow cones and yummy watermelon after!

Later in the day we joined the Smithsons for a delicious BBQ and swimming! Noah CAN swim but he isn't a confident swimmer. He won't ever go off the diving board and doesn't really like to swim across the pool with out help. I was determined to get him on that diving board. After many declined offers he finally agreed to for $1. Soooo worth the money!! He wouldn't stop going off the diving board the rest of the evening. Loved it!

 All in all we had an exhausting but memorable 4th!