First Swim Lessons!

Wow! THREE weeks of lessons! Let me explain...  Week 1 - started with excitement and ended with CC crying in my arms for half the lesson 

The Conundrum... What to do? Press on? Take a break? Try again next year?

(Day 1) 

After speaking with friends (thank you, friends), we decided to press on.  So, with HUGE (almost kicking and screaming) reluctance on CC's part (and a little uncertainty of my own) we started Week 2!  Graci and I took a lesson together at the same time and she, in contrast, LOVED it!

These photos were all taken Week 3!  What a change!!!

Her hair is actually wet!  :)

AND she's wearing a big grin!  SO PROUD of her for facing her fear and pushing forward! WOW I LOVE THAT GIRL!  (I admit to tears welling)

Thanks to both Ruth and Diane who went to class with Graci so that I could watch CC take on the waters!  You're both awesome! Love you!

Officially Shorts Season!!!

OUCH!!!  :(

G & Me

CC has been involved in all sorts of summer activities, so Graci and I have had some super great one-on-one time! She's loving baking, story times, dress-up and her baby dolls! I've also discovered that she's a "social" worker. Can't get her to do a thing on her own, but she'll participate full force if someone does it along side her. Hmmm, kind of like her mama! :)

Freezer Jam & Strawberry Popsicles !

Remember this post?

Well, we made freezer jam (I used half the sugar) with many of the berries and...

...we made Strawberry Popsicles!

1 pound strawberries sliced, rinsed and hull removed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1-3 tablespoons lemonade

Directions:

1. Mix the strawberries with the sugar and refrigerate for an hour.

2. Remove strawberries from the refrigerator and put them into a blender or food processor. Add the lemonade and puree until smooth.

3. Pour mixture into popsicle molds. Molds should freeze in 4-5 hours.

4. EAT!!! You may run a little hot water over the molds to help them pop out.

Super Tasty!

Outdoor Play!

Fun morning at the park before swim lessons!

This photo doesn't do his chuckle justice! It was a belly laugh!  :)

This one makes ME chuckle!

Fainting Goat Gelato!

You'll love it!

From the "hanging goat" announcing it's entrance to the last taste of gelato on your tongue.  Fun visit with the kiddos! (bonus: they have a red moose "rocking horse" that was a hot item)

Mmmmmm!

Photos with Mama!

I (generally) take the photos in our home, thus you see me only BEHIND the camera lens. While talking with some other mamas, I discovered they are also "absent" from the family albums. So, we did a little photo exchange during a walk. I thought they turned out real sweet!