As I mentioned before, we decided to continue with swimming lessons in the summer since the boys hadn’t shown much progress in the spring. My parents were very generous and took the boys for 30 minute lessons every Monday through Thursday for most of the summer.
The last week of lessons, the swim coaches threw parties for the classes. The main purpose was to show off the skills that the kids learned and to have a lot of fun.
Ian’s party was a little chaotic and confusing. There were a TON of kids at the pool and there was a LOT of standing around waiting for his turn to do anything. In an hour, I think he probably spent 10 minutes in total swimming and about 50 minutes standing around waiting. Very entertaining as a spectator. LOL
Here is his class playing tag (sharks and minnows?) for a bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gu-pR6D4dY
Ian in line for his turn down the slide (he’s the 3rd in line on the stairs)
Matthew’s coach let him take a few turns jumping in the water during Ian’s party. He needed a little coaxing but loved it. This is a HUGE improvement over the general terror he would experience in the water during our spring lessons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLpL2xtxJI4
Ian’s class did a 2-person relay across the deep end of the pool and Ian and his partner won their leg! OMG, they were so excited!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYzukIRty1k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdRg27g_XbQ
Ian’s report card said he was the most improved in his class! Awesome job, buddy!!!
Matthew’s party was super hero themed and they invited the kids to dress as a hero. Matthew dressed as “Puss in Boots”. The costume was entirely his idea. LOL
With one of his favorite coaches. 🙂
He sweet talked some other kid into letting him try out their Captain America gear. LOL
Matthew started getting cranky at this point. He’s worse than a baby about sticking to a feeding schedule. Late lunch = cranky pants. LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lCxRC3USuU
Matthew’s report card reflected a HUGE improvement in his skills. He’s been recommended for the next level of classes which is awesome!
Thank you, Grammy and Papaw, for taking the boys all summer!!!!
Ian has been interested in golfing for a long time – probably years. This summer, his interest has turned up a notch with the time we’ve spent mini-golfing. As a result, Mike’s been taking him to the driving range and promised he’d taking Ian golfing. After weeks of Ian nagging Mike, a day finally opened up for them to go. Mike and his friend, Dale, took Ian to a 9-hole, Par 3 course on August 1st and he did awesome!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbkcG9AZdx8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLJiWd0tP0Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggda4z5321g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jDOEsM1gho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1IeyuSuYNs
Ian shot a 48 for his first round of golf. Can’t wait to see how he does the next time!
On Matthew’s 4th birthday, we took him to dinner at one of his favorite places: Quaker Steak and Lube. The timing was perfect. It was Kid’s Night so Ian and Matthew’s dinners were nearly free and they had video games to play! Afterward, we headed back home for cake, ice cream, and presents.
Watching the video games:
This is his “stop taking pictures of me” look. LOL
Time for cake, singing, and presents!
This is a super genuine smile, if you couldn’t tell. I actually think he was screeching “CHEESE” at me. LOL
That’s okay because I love his little guts no matter what. 🙂
Blowing out candles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slpKm-c7h0M
If you couldn’t understand him, his wish is that we would all be friends. Love him. 🙂
PRESENTS!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlovk46gDq8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaORz8-kD3s
This Zoob car designer kit was a HUGE hit. We ended up ordering more shortly after his birthday.
Matthew has always loved cats, butterflies, and spiders. He’s really into pretending to be other things so these wings were a huge hit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozsO9ikLum8
Notice the new rubber spider in his hand? LOL
SURPRISE!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic52xn-Or70
“Flying” off the patio to play water guns with Ian:
Matthew also got a pirate costume set that was a big hit. He loves becoming Jake (from the Neverland Pirates), Jack Sparrow, or sometimes “Pirate Captain Matthew”. 🙂
PEDIATRICIAN APPT:
I took Matthew to the doctor the next week for his annual well-child visit. There was nothing major to discuss so it was a short visit.
HEIGHT: 41.61″ (80th percentile)
WEIGHT: 36lbs 10oz (50th percentile)
It was a good appointment and an awesome birthday!
(I took the picture below with my phone the day after Matthew’s birthday. He was watching Mike leave for work and looked so sweet with his wings on.)
We started Father’s Day off with a trip to Adventure Landing for some mini-golf.
After lunch and naps, we headed to Jackie’s house for a cookout and a small birthday celebration for Matthew (his birthday was the next day).
Swimming in Aunt Jackie’s pool!
Checking out the food:
Time to open the presents!
Thank you to Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Jackie!