LITTLE SWIMMER

Tuesday Claire started private swim lessons. This is something that was high on my agenda this summer. Claire loves the water. I have taught her as much as I could myself. We have had her in group lessons but felt that she needed some private lessons so that she could be as safe as possible in the water. For those of you that don't know I have been a lifeguard and swim instructor and feel VERY strongly about pool safety. I don't EVER want my kids to be afraid of the water but I want them to swim as soon as possible so that I feel they are safe.

I am so proud of Claire by the end of the first lesson she was swimming on her own. By the end of today's lesson she was bobbing her head, blowing bubbles, jumping in the pool and swimming to the corner, and swimming half the length of the pool. It is AMAZING. She loves it! The swim instructor is so wonderful. It is truly one of the best things I have ever done for my child.

I am so proud of Claire and can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring. I will get pictures next week to share with all of you. She is so darn cute in the water.

"BOB UPDATE": The girls have not even been asking for there "bobs" all day. When night time comes we shed a few tears but it is getting better. Best of all Claire fell asleep within 15minutes last night and slept through the night. YEAH! I think this journey is almost over. THANK GOD!

BIG Girls

Yesterday was a big day in our house we finally got rid of the pacifier (aka "BOB") for good. We have tried all of the tricks paci fairy, only during the day, if you loose your last bob you do not get another, and we always seemed to end up with it back. I was getting really tired of it and actually getting angry whenever I say them in the girls mouth. Yesterday I woke up gathered all of the pacifier's in the house and threw them away. I told the girls that they were to big for them and I was sending them to all of the new babies that needed them. It had to be done.

The day was pretty easy. Claire only asked for it a few times. Addy did not want it until nap time then cried for about 10 minutes and them gave up. The real problem came when the night approached. Both girls are so used to sucking on them at night when the fell asleep that they were having real issues. They both screamed for about an hour. It was so sad. It broke my heart. I stuck with it and we made it through the night with only a few wake ups.

This morning the girls had a surprise in the mail from the babies that they gave there pacifiers to. They were thrilled. Hopefully the battle is almost over and the nights get easier.

I am so proud of the girls for this huge step. YEAH!!!!

Lesson learned...... I am not sure I will ever give a baby a pacifier again and if I do I will get rid of it by the age of one. I hate these darn things!!!!

Family Weekend

Last weekend we drove up north for a large fun filled family weekend. My Dad, brother and sister and families and extended family from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado were all there. We do not get together very often so it was a true treat. We had so much fun hanging out, eating, and wine tasting. It made me wish that we all lived closer. Hopefully we can all get together again soon.



Addison and Cousin Eric on the merry go round



Cousin Nate and Maddy, Addison, and Claire
Wine tasting
Cousins Carter, and Eric and Claire having movie night

Wine tasting

Thanks everyone for coming!

Chili Cook Off

We spent the day at the chili cook off in Tustin a few weeks ago. Below are some cute pictures of the girls.

Palm Springs

A few weekends ago we went to Palm Springs for a few days. The girls had a blast! We spent the entire weekend in the water. Claire learned how to swim and Addy learned she loves the water. It was a blast!

Claire loved this water slide. By the end of the day she was going down the slide alone.