at the pool

This year we decided to step it up and join the "other" community pool, the one with all the bells and whistles. Menlo proved to have something for everyone...

In order to use the diving boards, water slides and rock wall you had to pass a pretty intense swim test...two lengths of the pool without stopping and then tred water for two minutes. Harrison breezed through it on his first attempt.

The rock wall was definitely his favorite activity at the pool - second only to spying on his female classmates from school (can't believe that is starting already!) (as a funny side note one friend confided in me that her daughter had made a MASH game and included Harrison as a possible boyfriend option - hilarious!!!)

Harrison was a pro at making it to the top and banging on the glass before jumping back down to do it again.

Sawyer didn't pass the test on his first attempt and it took him weeks to build up the confidence to try again. Once he passed, he enjoyed the rock wall too...

but his favorite was being shot out of the drop slide over and over again.

He also impressed us with his antics on the diving board.


Graham had some tamer options over in the baby pool.

He was also a fan of the zero entry.

And everyone could enjoy the lazy river together...everyone except me...I was too afraid of getting stuck in the tube.

put your feet in the ocean

This year the plan was to send Jonathan to the beach with Harrison and Sawyer for the day while Graham and I remained in the comfort of the AC at home. Graham could hear them in the garage as they packed up the van and he stood eagerly by the door saying "I wanna come" over and over until my mommy guilt had me racing upstairs to throw on a bathing suit and pack some swim diapers.

It really does feel more like summer once you've had your toes in the sand and your feet in the ocean...

The boys worked on castles and moats for hours.

No one got to China, but they did hit water!


After our time on the beach, we treked up to the boardwalk for some rides.

Graham held his own with the big boys, and even though it was crazy hot and hard chasing after him...I'm glad we both saw the ocean this summer!

fourth of july

I am seriously behind on my posts but it seems my nesting instinct is carrying over to updating this blog...so here is the first of many things I need to document from our summer!

We hit the parade in town, where I sorely misjudged my ability to sit on the curb for two hours. A local homeowner saved the day and offered me a lawn chair - thank goodness!

The highlight for the boys was coming home to orchestrate their own fireworks display in the driveway. The hardest part was waiting for it to get dark!

...that or keeping your little brother from messing with your display!

almost a big brother

but still every bit my baby