Caleb

Up...

Down...

Up...

Down.

I guess he likes it!

Let the Swimming Begin.

The pool is open, and these three are loving it!  Elijah, Charlotte,  and Penelope are old pros at this pool stuff. I think at least two of them will be swimming without a vest in no time this summer!
 

 

Lulu isn't sure what she thinks of the giant (kinda chilly) bathtub...but she did enjoy hanging out in her floating baby seat.  Caleb decided he preferred solid ground beneath his feet.  He loved the pool last year, and hopefully he'll decide to give it a try again this year.

Fletcher likes hanging out inside...but he is wondering when he'll get a chance in the pool.

What a cute little guy!

 

I'm so glad we have a pool....'cause it means these six will visit me a lot this summer!!

 

Caleb's 2nd Birthday!!

 Happy Birthday to You,

Happy Birthday to You,

Happy Birthday Sweet Caleb,

Happy Birthday to You!

 

His first summer in the pool....he's LOVING it!

Smiling at the camera...this is rare, and VERY cute...even with the banged up nose!

I love his hair. Especially now that it's getting longer and curlier!

When he's done...he's done. Just like his daddy and big brother!

No Caleb...I said "look at ME, not the tree"!!

 Caleb...I love you and I hope you have a wonderful day!!

I'll see you at your "pool party" on Saturday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY #2!

Happy Weekend!

It's been hot around here.  So we plan on trying to stay cool...

 

...and relaxing a bit.

 

 

Hope you have a nice, relaxing weekend too!

 



Fun at Gramma's & Grandpa's House

Every other Sunday we get the whole gang together at our house.  We just love to see these little ones playing all together...and eating all together too!

This little guy has got the best smile ever!!!

They like to run around and around and around the kitchen.  After about 5 minutes of that I pile them up on my bed and hit the ON DEMAND button on the TV remote.  Instant trance for about 14 minutes.....Noodle and Doodle on the Sprout Network is the current favorite show.

Some Sundays, I like to give them little presents.  The three "big" kids got swimming ducks for the pool or tub.  Caleb got a small traveling blankie to match the big one I made for him for his birthday.  He loves to touch soft fabric. 

A storm passed through and we thought we were going to miss out on a swim...but things cleared up after dinner.  So the three "big" kids got to take a dip....it's the first time they've been in the pool at dusk.  I love how these photos (using the flash) look.

Speaking of dinner....Bill made three racks of ribs, Jacqi made a bowl of potato salad. the Jo(e)s brought a watermelon and we cut up some veggies and made a salad and baked beans. 

Can I just say YUM! 

The ribs were a hit!

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This old blanket chest belonged to Bill's grandmother...it's closing in on 100 years old.  I usually keep stuffed toys in it.  Sometimes I pile small children inside.

As my daughter Katie said...."Our only hope at a photo of all 4 is containment".   Although we've also discovered that Noodle and Doodle work too!  : )

Okay...I have 10 days to rest up before we get to do this all over again!

I cant wait!

Splish, Splash!

Good times in the pool.

We try to get the grandkids into the pool whenever we can.  My children learned to swim in this pool and we want to make sure these little ones learn too.  Last Friday all three were very relaxed and adventurous in the pool.  The spent a lot of time moving about instead of hanging onto the sides.

In this first photo they're doing a water version of ring-around-the rosie....in water that's about 5 feet deep!  They had the best time!!

The big kid in the pool loves splashing the little kids....they loved it too!  I think it's important for them to not be afraid of a little water on their faces.  The "steps" at the shallow end are still their favorite spot in the pool.  Penelope is sitting on the top one.  

Joe (aka: the big kid) couldn't resist giving them all a big hug. Elijah kind of looks resigned to it. He gets hugs like this all the time from his dad.  Charlotte and Penelope were not happy with Uncle Joe's bear hug....they definitely liked the splashing better.

I love this photo of the four of them.  Caleb's thinking "Let me at that water! I wanna kick it too!"  We've been getting together regularly this summer and having this four little ones around the pool has been so much fun.  I'm so blessed to have them close by.  We're making memories!  
(I edited this one a little bit  - I think it's my Summer of 2012 photo).

Hey!

Where did the summer go........?



Here they are, getting ready to enjoy what may be their last swim this summer. 
I sure do love that our pool is getting regular use by little ones again. But soon it will be time to close it up and the swimming will have to wait until next year.



Water Babies

While the Yard Sale was going on Jacqi took Penelope and Charlotte for a swim. 

As you can see they enjoyed themselves a lot!

After the yard sale ended Elijah went for a swim. 

He's learning to doggie-paddle and kick-kick-kick!

That is effort written all over his face!

Bill works hard to keep the pool maintained.....when he sees his grandchildren
enjoying it so much I know he believes his efforts are totally worth it!

 

The First Swim of 2011

Joe wore himself out jumping in the pool.  He was trying to coax his little guy, Elijah, into joining him for a swim.  Eventually he did, but in the meantime Charlotte and Penelope were certainly enjoying the entertainment provided by Uncle Joe!!