Swim Lessons

So living in sunny AZ means you need to know how to swim. Summers will be really long without this skill. So it was back to the Y this summer for swim class. Last summer Sammer didnt' really love swim class. She just clung on to me and I felt like I was getting the lessons!
We started lessons last month and this time she has to go solo. It's a good thing, but really hard to not get involved. This is our first experience at watching her do something without us completely. Rough.
The first month was good. She was probably the least talented swimmer in the class. Then, the second session started yesterday. This time there are only 3 of them in the class and to my surprise and amazement-she's the most proficient and daring swimmer in the class! She was blowing bubbles, floating on her back, kicking, jumping in, going under...great job Sammer!!!! We are proud of you-keep up the good work.

Tuesday morning tea party

This morning there was an impromptu tea party. Sammie had the pink, Cole the purple and mommy the blue plate set. We were actually NOtTdrinking tea but lemonade. Sammie made it herself---even plunked the plastic little lemon into her tea pot! So cute:)
Then she went over to her kitchen and served us up some yummy food. Who doesn't like ribs and celery for breakfast! Ha! She did serve herself an egg, which if funny because she doesn't eat eggs.
Cole loves playing with her teacups/plates...she doesn't allow it very often! Don't worry Cole soon Sammer will be in preschool and you can have free reign over the house for a couple hours a week!

Enjoying themselves at the "tea party"

My two, beautiful babies!

A Night of Firsts

Tonight Cole decided to step it up a notch and have some firsts. Of course there are no pictures-sorry. (We'll work on that.) D
uring his bath he grabbed the side and pulled himself up to stand. That's a first. He has been trying to get all the way up for quite some time now and I guess the bath was just the right heiight. I couldn't believe it...and he did it twice!
Then, after his bath he was laying in his towel and I kept saying, "where is Cole?" and he would pull his towel over his face and laugh. Then pull it down and I'd say "there he is" and he'd laugh some more. He did this about 20 times so I know it wasn't a fluke! I will try to get this in film.

BDay Bash

Today we went to the park to celebrate Johanna's 3rd birthday. Sammie and Johanna have known each other since they were about 8-9 months. It is so fun to watch them grow up together. The y all have their own unique little personalities:) Thanks for the fun party Johanna!

There were friends (Johanna, Maura, Sammie & Ana)

There were crafts. (Making "I Spy" bottles)

There were yummy snacks!

There was frolicking in the water!

There was some flirting!

There was some posing!

And of course there was cake.

Breakfast

Cole is ready to eat and wants everything we are having. The other night he tried peas and carrots (the real kind not the mush) and loved feeding himself. Yesterday he tried watermelon-that was a big hit. I bet it felt really good on his poor little swollen gums.
This morning I made pancakes. Without thinking I went to feed him his oatmeal and he threw a fit. Pancakes it was. He loved them. This kid knows how to eat...and how to make a mess! I am glad that we are in the real food phase though--baby food has always kind of grossed me out.

Check out the top tooth!!!

He waves hi!

Mmm...pancakes.

Finger lickin good. Thanks mom!