First days

Here we are on the first day of school.

He was up, dressed, hair done, back pack on all ready

to go before I was out of bed.

The first day is always the best.

The funny part about his clothes...

The night before he went and pulled out every polo he owns

to decide what to wear.

He barely touched them all Summer, and on the first day

of school he had to look good.

I like how he cared so much about looking nice.

Top:Alyssa with her Preschool Teacher Miss Angela. I took this picture, and for some reason on her first real day of school I forgot to take her picture until after school. She will go twice a week 3 hours a day. She is happy to be back in school.

Where have these years gone?

Alyssa, you are such a sweetheart, kind and funny and so sensitive.

When your brothers are scared of a bug or spider you take care of them.

You are aware of people around you.

I love watching you grow (even though it's going too fast)

and seeing all of your talents and personality come out.

You will always be our baby girl.

How is my baby girl already 5? That is a big change for me. She is growing up way too much for my taste. I told her she isn't allowed to grow up and she argued that with me saying she can't wait to be big.

She had a fun Birthday surprise when Isabel and Alex came over without her knowing. It made everything more fun to share with two of her best friends/cousins.

Swimming

We have had quite the fun time this Summer playing at the pool. Brandon is learning to swim above and below water and do somersaults. His favorite is to jump in over and over again.

Alyssa has loved learning to swim (with her jacket on) but it is really helping her and she has learned a lot and she also loves to jump in and hold her breath under water for extended periods of time, which sometimes makes me wonder. She's got a great set of lungs.

Hayden has had a slow time getting comfortable with his jacket and trusting that he won't go under when my hand is not on him every second. He's is doing a lot better now and will paddle back and forth in the big pool by himself. He is just learning to put his head under water and how that works.

I love having a pool just around the corner and the fun times it gives us. What will we do when Summer is over?

Here is a very short video of Alyssa swimming without her life jacket. Yes, she has to hold her nose and close her eyes. She gets that from me. Where are those goggles we bought you?