swim season! Go Lightning!

Summer, summer, summer is here.  We put Logan on the same swim team Dylan did last summer, and both boys are LOVING it.  We weren't really sure Logan could even make it across the pool but he's done amazing so far and gets better every day, thanks to his awesome coaches.  His confidence has grown so much!!

Practice started two weeks before the end of school, and now that school is out its switched to every morning at 9 am for an hour.  This year, even more friends from our school and neighborhood have joined the team and its pretty much a big social hour at every practice and meet. All that aside though, our team has incredible coaches and they're so patient and enthusiastic with the kids.  The kids really strengthen their skills in the pool, and get to do it while having so much fun.  There are two meets a week (Wed nights and Saturday mornings).  All the parents volunteer to make the meets run smoothly and we all cheer for each others kids. 

This has been the one sport so far that really clicks for Dylan.  Its a team environment, but he can earn ribbons for beating his own times. That really resonates with him, and he's just always loved the water.   Now it appears Logan loves it just as much, and he can't wait to get in that pool every morning. And me... well, I've become a crazy swim team mom who lets her kids paint the car windows before meets and gets hoarse from cheering them down the pool.

Last night was our first meet of the season, and it will run through the end of July.  As a brand new swimmer, Logan was scheduled to compete in freestyle, but not scheduled to be in relay event at the end (four swimmers take turns to beat other teams of four).  They had an open spot and we were still at the meet since Dylan was in a scheduled relay with the 9/10's, so Logan was jumping to do it.  I was so  proud of his spirit and desire to get in the pool, in the dark, and swim that lap.  He is one of the youngest kids on the swim team and its great to see him enjoying it, learning so much, and making new friends. 

I can't imagine not doing a swim team every summer now, we always will as long as our boys love it.  Its a family you belong to during the summer, and fills your days with such fun!

Here are some photos and video clip from swim season so far, with many more to come in the weeks ahead!  So far, Dylan's back stroke seems to be his fastest and favorite stroke.  Logan is learning backstroke, and has to catch up, but he's holding his own at age 5!  Dylan is now 9, so he has to swim 50 meters (up and back across the pool), while Logan only has to swim a 25 meter.

Here is Logan's first ever attempt to cross the pool without help.  This was during a practice swim meet, when Coach Ruth was allowed to be in the pool with him and encourage him (but not touch or help unless he panicked).  He did great!  A pool length is a long way for such a tiny person!  I didn't breath the entire time he was swimming... And he made it!

Dylan and his good friend J.

I think he looks like Adam Sandler in Big Daddy (Scuba Steve)...what do you think?

A rare moment of brotherly love.  I love that we can all share this together, its such great family togetherness!

Here is Dylan's freestyle last night...

All the kids just hang together between events to eat candy, duel each other on their DS's and basically run like hooligans!

team cheer before the meet!

Lined up right before the relay he didn't even know he'd be swimming!

last day to ride the kindergarten bus

Is this guy ready for first grade or what?

first day/last day

Well, today Dylan got on the bus for the last time as a third grader. In a little bit, Logan will step onto the bus for his last journey to kindergarten.  How did the year fly by so fast?  And yet it seems like SO much happened in this last school year.  I get sentimental as these milestones come upon us.

The things they've learned this year, wow!  All the friends they've made, books they've read, field trips, life lessons, and all the fun.  I try to make sure I remind the boys often how lucky they are to live here and be a part of such a friendly, loving and supportive school.

Today I'll have a few more hours of peace and quiet, and then summer vacation will officially arrive with all its splishy splashy sticky promises.  Popsicles, swim team, movies, playdates, Slip-n-Slides, ice cream, visits with Grandma and Grampa, picnics at the pool, trips to the beach, putt putt golf, books to read, games to play, camps, parties, and sometimes in August, we'll print off the list of school supplies and get them ready for school again.

Here is Dylan on the first day of third grade last fall:

And here he is yesterday at his end of  year party (same shirt, ha!!) with his lovely teacher Ms. W:

 

Logan on the first day:

And yesterday at his end of year party with his wonderful teacher Mrs. H.:

Both boys are already excited for fall, going into 4th and 1st grade.  It will a big transition for Logan, going from half day kindergarten to full day first grade.  I so enjoyed the teachers they both had this year, and being at school to help when I could.  I'm thankful for all the new friends we all made this year, and I'm so proud of all my kids accomplished.

And now I'm ready to make the most of the summer together, so when fall approaches we'll know we did all we wanted to do, and then some!

view from the water

I've said this many times, and its true...I love where we live. I love our neighborhood, our friends, our school, our community.   And I love that within 30 minutes, we can be the heart of downtown DC exploring the city and showing our  kids some pretty darn cool stuff.

A while back, I bought a Groupon that came to inbox and saved it for a nice sunny day when we had nothing else to do.  It was good for the four of us to take a one hour sightseeing boat tour of DC, leaving from Georgetown and cruising up the Potomac River a ways taking in all the sights.   Sunday was a perfect weather day, and even scored some pretty easy parking (for Georgetown) and enjoyed a nice family day together.

I've lived in the DC area since I was in third grade, but I still see something new everytime I'm in the city.

Thompson Boat Center, Georgetown

Lincoln Memorial

Kennedy Center

Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and train

Georgetown Waterfront

Georgetown University

Natural Bridge camping weekend

Memorial Day weekend, we headed with five other families to enjoy the great outdoors down in Natural Bridge, VA about 3 1/2 hours south of here.  Its a little further than we like to drive for camping trips, just due to all the work it takes to get packed up and set up once you arrive.  Anything more than a 2 hour drive it just turns into almost an all day affair with 3 hours to pack the car, 3 or 4 hours of driving, and then another 3 hours to set up.  Exhausting, especially with kids.  No sooner do you set up camp then its time to make dinner and that's after you've been sweating your bung off all day and just want to sit down and drink a cold one.

Anyway, we headed down to enjoy some waterfront camping and time with friends, and my brother and Jess.  We strapped our canoe to the top of the family truckster, hoping to enjoy some time on the James River fishing, boating and swimming.

The weekend had moments of fun, but not exactly as we had hoped.   There had been a lot of rain, and the river was running too fast to put our canoe in.  Kind of disappointing, especially after trekking it down there all that way for it to just sit dry at our campground.   The weather was pretty hot, and most of the campground peeps seemed to all be in the small pool, instead of the river where they would have normally been if the water hadn't been too rapid to indulge.   Plus, one of our air mattresses (new) had a big leak we couldn't find, and deflated both nights.  We also suffered a couple of tick bites, and it was quite a trek up to get to the bath house.  The campsite had lots of great activities for the kids, but none of them were visible from our campsite and I wasn't comfortable letting the kids roam.

All of this made for a pretty challenging weekend.  We were tired, and hot, and that's not a good combination, especially for Logan who just was very hard to manage and keep happy.   We called it a day early and headed home Sunday morning, happy to unload, shower and spend a more relaxing day at our way less crowded neighborhood pool.  Oh well, live and learn. 

On the up side, we got to spend time with great friends, zoom down one of the fastest waterslides ever, enjoy campfire time and some good meals, and the kids got to meet Yogi bear (who didn't even try to steal our pic-a-nic basket!)

On the way home, the entire trip redeemed itself as we made a stop at the Virginia Safari Park, what a total riot!  My friend Dianna recommended it, and said it was not to be missed.  We laughed hysterically as the animals literally stuck their big heads into the car to get to the feed buckets, spilling pellets all over the place and letting us pet their noses.  I didn't like the ostriches, they totally creeped me out.  But the Watusi were so beautiful and gentle with their giant horns. 

I think we will definitely stick with campsites that are closer within driving range from now on.  There are so many good ones we haven't checked out yet.  At some point we may rent a pop up camper or something similar, so there is less set up time. I do enjoy the 'unplugged' time with the kids and some of the more simple pleasures you can tap into while camping.  But in my old age, this girl requires less work and more comfort!  And now we're keeping an eye on these tick bites.   We know four families in our area who have already had lyme disease this spring, its rampant!

Zoofari

We're winding down the school year, and just getting back from a camping trip.  Posting has fallen to the bottom on the list, but I'd be remiss to not post these few photos I took at the Zoofari event I attended a couple weeks back with some dear friends from high school.   

I used to get invited to this event years ago when I worked at an ad agency, and Coca-Cola would sport us free tickets.  Its held every May at the National Zoo in DC, and its at least $200 a head to get into this shindig, but I tell you, its worth every darn cent.

Close to 200 restaurants set up tents throughout the zoo and dazzle attendees with 'free' samples of the finest cuisine to be had in this town.  Add to that assorted live musicians, free beer and wine, and the ambiance of dining among exotic creatures, it truly is a spectacular time.  I am awaiting photos of the four of us who attended together, those weren't on my camera.  But I did get a few shots of the evening.  I think my favorite taste of the evening was a tiny crab meat taco in a blue corn tiny taco shell, almost ceviche-like.   Lots of the the food sampled had lamb in it, and I'm not a fan.  Lots of cold soups including grape soup which sounds wacky but was delicious.  

Yes, it was well worth the two hours it took me to get into DC during prime evening rush hour, to spend quality time with my girlies tasting some most delectable vittles in these parts.   Special thanks to Ronda for taking me as her guest, it was a very special night!

9 years and still going strong...

I met these incredible ladies nine years ago at our local hospital when we all became new moms within weeks of each other.  Through the years, we have shared just about everything you can share with friends, and we've taken this parenthood journey together.  I feel so very blessed to have these women in my life.  Every single one of them brings joy to my life, and laughter to my heart.

This past weekend we spent a delicious three nights away at a beach house in Delaware.   Laughing, eating, telling stories, crying, sharing and enjoying each other.  Celebrating nine years of some of the best friendships I've ever had.

I love these ladies!  xoxoxo

my little plant is growing

The cutest ever kindergarten show last night!  Logan has been keeping the songs a secret and all the kids have been working really hard to memorize songs about gardening, planting and growing.   A fitting theme for the final month of their kindergarten journey.

Its just so amazing to watch your childs' journey as they develop and grow.   I'm so proud of you, buddy!

Thanks for coming to my special show last night, Grandma and Grandpa!  It was even better with you guys there!

a glimpse of the future

Today was exciting for both boys, as they got to enjoy big long-anticipated events at school. 

It was Third Grade field day for Dylan.   Instead of spelling and math and social studies, the kids got to spend all day of field day outside, playing games and sports, and watching a movie during lunch.  Andrew took some time this afternoon and hung out with Dylan at school, having lunch together (trying the very popular Buffalo chicken bites) and helping out with some games.

Logan got to actually spend the entire day at school.  Kindergarten here is still half day and he only has school each day from 11:30 - 2:30.  This morning, I got to drive both boys to school at 7:30 and drop them at the kiss-and-go line.   Logan spent most of the day in first grade, seeing a glimpse of what lies ahead  next year.  Most excitedly, he got to buy lunch at school, and then the kindergartners did two preview shows of the super excellent and totally cute kindergarten program they'll perform for us parents tomorrow night.  He has been looking forward to this day for weeks, knowing he got to go to school today as a 'big boy' and you can see it by the smile on his face.  

They both had great days, and I had a special treat waiting for them when they got home.   I have to admit, I got a little choked up dropping him off in carline this morning thinking next year my boys will both be at school for 7 hours a day.   All these years of being home with me, at least one of them at least half the day for the past nine years, and now that will be ending.  Another chapter closed.   Don't get me wrong, it will be fantastic to get some 'me' time back, and focus on my new business (more info on that another time), but nonetheless, a little sad this part of the journey is going to change drastically next fall.  I am eternally grateful for the priviledge of staying home with them all these years.

Tomorrow night is the annual Kindergarten program and I know I'm going to need to bring some tissues.  These are the parts of parenting that are truly so utterly special and sacred.  I love watching my boys grow and learn and enjoy.

a fake-cation

This past weekend, we didn't have much going on for once, and it was rainy, rainy, rainy.   A few months ago, we bid on some items at a silent auction at the boys' school and we had the winning bid on a basket filled with goodies, including a hotel stay at an Embassy Suites down the road.

We thought it would be a fun family sleepover, since the boys LOVE staying at hotels.  And with it being just down the street it was a getaway that involved very little planning, pretty much just throwing some undies in a bag and going.

It turned out to be a really fun evening... some indoor pool action, ordering pizza, watching hours of Discovery Channel about the Secret Service while munching on Sour Patch Kids, sleeping 'family style' in two queen beds, and enjoying a delish breakfast buffet in the morning before heading home.

The only problem was Dylan's snoring.  Well, it wasn't exactly snoring.  I think he has some seasonal allergies going on, and as Andrew put it, it sounded like he was eating a badger all night.   But besides that, we had a fantastic fake-cation!