Reading & Swimming

I uploaded a TON of pictures from the past few months and most of them were of the kids at their swim meets. Here is one that Christopher liked! It shows him swimming hard at one of the many swim meets he swam in.

Even though it's off season, Christopher has been thinking about swimming a lot lately. He has been reading an autobiography of Michael Phelps--No Limits: The Will to Succeed--that he bought at the Book Fair last week. He found a picture of Michael Phelps in the book that looks similar to the picture of him above. He was pretty excited to put this photo as our background on our new computer.

We may have to print it out poster size for his room to keep him interested in swimming...

Our Two Little Fish!

Anneli is very brave this fall and has joined Swim Team with Christopher! YIPPEEE!! That means I don't have to entertain her during the many practices and LONG swim meets, like I did last year with my many bags of tricks and quiet toys! YIPPEE!!! I can watch the practices/meets, read a book, visit with friends, or play with my phone! :)

Today was a practice swim meet where the kids just practice like it's a swim meet. It was fun to watch all the new kids, like Anneli, jumping off the block and swimming their little hearts out.

We are very proud of our 'Two Little Fish'. They are doing a super great job! Way to go Christopher & Anneli!

Christopher getting ready for his heatstopping to pose before getting on the block,
Anneli at the Practice Swim Meet!!!
Sitting quietly waiting for her turn. She's sitting with her good friend Syd. Look how little she is--her little feet don't even touch the ground!!

She's a little nervous as she approaches the block---or the edge of the deep end of the pool!

No fear---there she 'dives' right in!!

She's swimming her little heart out as everyone cheers her on from the bleachers and side of the pool!!

Time for backstroke. She takes a minute to look at the crowd and then says loud enough for everone to hear 'Hi Nick--am I doing it right?" Nick is one of her coaches and also calls the heats. Everyone laughs and thinks she's so cute! The kids know Nick very well since he has taught their swimming lessons since they were 6 months old!! That's probably why she's not afraid to swim with all the big kids!

Way to go guys! Keep up the great work!!

What a little fish!

Today was a BIG day for Anneli! She finally started going underwater!!! Today (July 26th) was the VERY first day she decided she could go underwater and swim! What a little fish!

We knew she could do it, but she just wouldn't. She had to build her confidence and I guess today was the day! YIPPEEE!! Way to go, Anneli!!! :)

Swimmers! Take Your Mark!

This fall, Christopher decided that he didn't want to play fall soccer. I admit, I was not that disappointed. Sorry if I sound like a bad mom, but I'm not a fan of sitting at the park watching soccer practice (or games) as the weather starts to get cold and the nights get dark earlier! Guess I'm not a 'soccer mom'!

Anyway, we wanted him to stay active and take part in some fall sport. We told him about Swim Team and he thought that would be cool! So in September, Christopher started Swim Team with the town Recreation Department. So far, he has taken part in two swim meets with his team. They were long, long days for him and also for us watching him, but he has had fun and done very well! We are very proud of him and just want him to do his best and have fun! Here are a few pictures from his first two swim meets!

Way to go Christopher!!! Keep up the great work!! :)

Family Fun on the NH Seacoast!

On Saturday, August 22nd, we packed into the car and off we went to visit our family in New Hampshire. We first caught up with Grandpa & Nancy at their home, and then it was off to Bobs Clam Hut! Definately a must stop when in Kittery, ME! Then we went with Grandpa & Nancy to Rye, NH to watch the big waves that were being produced by Hurricane Bill. They were HUGE! The kids really enjoyed watching the waves as they beat up against the huge rocks on the coast. I could have spent the day right there relaxing, but it was off to the beach to put our feet in the ocean and play in the sand a bit at Wallis Sands State Beach. It was a great afternoon visiting with Grandpa & Nancy and hanging by the shore!!

It's a little foggy...

Check out those hurricane waves beating against the rocks!

They LOVED watching the waves belt against the shore and feeling the mist on their faces.

Christopher trying to ride the waves...

Playing in the water together.

Playing in the sand---or should I say mud together!

Shaun & Grandpa watching the waves.

Check out those lifeguards behind them... ;)

Then we headed over to visit with Memere & Jim. After visiting briefly, we met Aunt Amanda, Uncle Miles, Alex, Lizzy, Aunt Nicole & Bryce at Newick's Seafood Restaurant in Dover, NH for dinner. All the kids were fascinated with the Lobsters...even the ones on Aunt Amanda and my plate!!! After dinner, we headed to Aunt Amanda & Uncle Miles house to swim in their pool. The kids had fun playing together! Alex and Christopher were big fans of the diving rock. Way to go guys!! Then we headed back to Memere's that night to sleep. In the morning we headed off to the beach to hand out with Memere, Aunt Amanda, Uncle Miles, Alex & Lizzy. We didn't stay long, it was a crazy day at the beach with Hurricane Bill and losing Anneli for a few minutes! UGH! The kids played for a few minutes. Miles rode some waves. Then it was off to Aunt Amanda & Uncle Miles house to stay cool by the pool with the cousins. It was a great day and a super fun weekend! It was great to see you all and we hope to see you all again real soon!! :)

The kids all checking out the lobsters!
Alex jumping off the diving rock!
Christopher getting ready to jump off the diving rock!
Alex & Christopher having fun in the water.
Lizzy and Uncle Miles swimming together!
Bryce hanging out by the pool.

Bryce playing with Alex & Christopher.
Shaun & Alex playing in the pool!
Lizzy in her pretty pink bikini!
The boys!
Bryce & Lizzy watching the big kids swim.

Lizzy watching the big waves at the beach!

Check out those waves!

They were huge!

Only strong swimmers were swimming, but we wanted to check out the waves!

Good thing Hurricane Bill was far off the coast!

Alex & Christopher playing in the sand.

Amanda & Lizzy at the beach!

Alex digging at the beach.

Anneli playing in the sand at the beach.

Uncle Miles riding one of the huge waves!

Shaun & Anneli playing in the sand too!

It was a great weekend, even if Hurricane Bill was hovering off the shore!

Swimming Lessons

The water is your friend.....you don't have to fight with water, just share
the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move".
Alexandr Popov