swimming lessons

 We took swimming lessons at the YMCA this year.  With our scholarship and member discount it ends up being only $23/kid which is a steal of a deal.  I should put my kids in more sessions because they're progressing so much but we'll see.  I wanted to get them all at the 9 session but Kandace's class was full so hers is in the evening while Janelle's is at 9 and Stetson's is at 9:45.  Janelle missed the age requirement for the beginner class just barely, so we were in the 6-36 mos mommy and me class which she LOVED.  I got to get in with her which was fun.  She is a crazy girl full of energy and personality.  She got lots of attention during lessons, that's for sure.
Stetson did the intermediate class and did awesome.  He can swim the short length of the pool by himself, tread water and float and all sorts of fun stuff.  He's almost independent in the water which will be a happy day for me.
We've been going to Rose Park pool a little bit (weather hasn't been great) and I think it will be nice when I can just send him to the big pool and not have my hands so full.  I don't have pics of Kandace's class yet.  I'm taking her tonight so I'll get some then.

 Stetson loved lessons and was super cooperative and receptive to his teacher.  He always had a huge smile like this on his face.  Michael calls Stetson's swimming style "controlled drowning."

me and my little show stopper.  She loves the water too and had a great time.  Lessons were right during boot camp and spinning so I haven't been for a while and am super excited to get back at it if I can handle it. :)

missionaries and West park ward

Every time we're in a new ward I eventually fall in love with it and can't imagine being anywhere else and then we have to move and I get super bummed. :(  This ward has been no exception.  Little Emma Croft from our ward got baptized last week and it was the highlight of my week.  How lucky am I to belong to a church that inspires and uplifts me on a regular basis if I choose to let it.  I felt such a sweet spirit there and felt so blessed to be a covenant making member of this church and to feel the Holy ghost.  I felt that warm assurance from the Holy Ghost that the speakers were talking about that night.  I feel it every Sunday, too and wish I could bottle it up and feel it in my home all the time.  Something to work on. Stetson was asked to give the closing prayer and I was super proud of him for doing such a good job.
We also get to have the missionaries over for dinner a lot which is great.  My girl Janelle L-O-V-E-S the missionaries.  She calls them "mine missionaries" and points to them in church and talks about them a lot.  We are grateful for their example and for the spirit they bring to our home.

catching bugs

 We have a summer list of things to do that the kids get to chose from all summer.  I was going to let them take turns choosing one thing every MWF but lets face it, this mom can't keep up yet so we're doing 1 thing per week. :)  Last week Stetson chose catching bugs.  It was fun to see how excited they got about ants and rolley polleys.  I heard Riverfront park is a GREAT place to catch bugs so we'll have to try that next time.