One-Child Opportunities

So, Adi is an only child, which can present it's own set of problems, but it can also present a whole other set of opportunities.

This summer has been one of them.

Adi has been signed up for five sessions of swimming lessons--for 10 weeks! It makes me really happy that she's been working so hard, but I get sad sometimes because I don't get to take her. (It is really cute though to see my dad giving her hand signals of what to do while the teacher is working with other kids.)

The thing is... it's been such a great investment, because two weeks ago I saw her swim for the first time (I didn't know she could do that!?), float on her back for 20 seconds, and do the elementary backstroke and breaststroke.

We took her to get bubble gum ice cream to celebrate! 

It was pretty awesome.

The neatest thing about it is that three weeks ago she passed Preschool Level 4 and advanced to Level 2!

Level 2 is for kids ages 6-8!

She was a whole foot shorter than the other kids in her class, but she really grew as her teacher, Evan, helped her gain confidence in the deep end!

This session (for the next two weeks) she's in Level 2 again, and if she continues on the same path, she'll be in Level 3 for the first fall session before we head to Grenada!

I'm so excited she's become such a great swimmer!

Next stop: surfing in Grenada!

Summer 2012 Through the Instagram Lens

Although I'm (completely) in denial about it. Summer is coming to a close, and I wanted to throw together a collage of what Adi's been up to. 

1. Rolling down hills (in a dress with her baby doll no less)
2. Swimming lessons ("Mamma, be the wall!") as evidenced by the swimming-suit shots
3. The Cabin, where we witnessed 20 Hummingbirds swarm around the feeder (some even landed on Andrew and Ryan) 
4. Carousel rides
5. I scream, you scream, well all scream for Ice Cream (and Frozen Yogurt)
6. Ward Parties
7. Movies with Hunter Bugs (and piggy tails)
8. Visits to the mall (where we ran into Rylan)
9. And much, much more!

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Pink Bubblegum

Around here this summer, we've loved ice cream.

A lot. 

Good thing Maleen's keepin' me in shape.

One of the reasons for the ice cream is because Adi has been doing so well in swimming lessons this week.

In fact, she's done better in the past week and a half than she did the entire four weeks before.

So, we're rewarding the great swimming with a little of this...

Now I've got to figure out how to ween her off of her favorite "pink ice cream" (aka Baskin Robbin's "Pink Bubblegum"). Yikes.

And, although we're in denial about summer ending, we're excited to be heading into fall! We'll definitely be planning some fun activities!

Toddlers and their Mommas!

Yesterday after swimming lessons, Adi and I took advantage of the fact that the university closed early and met some friends for a picnic and some splashing around!

Originally I had forgotten about he early closing, but we wanted to get together to say goodbye to Teri and Hinter.

It was so fun to get together, especially because all of us have (or will this weekend) moved from the ward where we met!

We all have kids within two months and they are hilarious together. I especially love how Adi's face lights up when she sees Hunter bugs.

Here are some of the highlights of the fun, hot summer get together!

(Thanks Bay, Steph, and Teri for so. much. fun!)

Super Mom Strength

Today, I headed to swimming lessons to meet Adi. We went into the locker room to get changed and headed out to the deck.

Like always, Adi ran towards the floaty noodles by the side of the pool and threw one in.

From about five feet away, I told her no and asked her to get it--based on previous experience. From about four feet away, I had observed that she was reaching, but didn't expect her to...

... fall face-first into the deep end! 

Within less than a second I was at the edge of the water and with my left hand grabbed her foot and brought her all the way out of the water to above my waist.

She started screaming hysterically--naturally--and I sat down with her at the edge of the pool.

She was scared, coughing, crying, and for good reason!

There was A life guard who had been within a few feet of her with her swimming class and I was kind of embarrassed, but it served as a valuable teaching for Adi.

I asked her if she had blown her bubbles like in class and she said no. So, we talked about pool and water safety, obedience, and how practicing in class would help us if something like that ever happened again.

After she calmed down I asked her if she wanted to go to swimming lessons still and she said yes.

She was amazing! 

She showed the teacher her "ice cream scoop" arms, splashed her via kicking, and blew bubbles! She even (unintentionally) went under the water a few times.

It wasn't until after the lesson was over that I realized how miraculous it was that within less than a second I could pick her up out of the water with one arm. I'm not quite sure how much Adi weighs (between 25 and 30 lb.), but without even batting an eyelash I pulled her entire weight out of the pool and 3 feet into the air. I'm pretty sure that doing that with a 30 lb. dumbbell would have been a lot more difficult, if not impossible for me.

It's kind of scary. My adrenaline totally kicked it and this "Super Mom" strength came out of nowhere!

I guess there's something innate within us that is there to kick it into high gear when it really counts.

Here's to Super Mom Strength!

Goofy Girls!

For the past couple of weeks, Adi and I have been attending mommy and me swimming lessons again, although this time we're doing them outdoors at the Veteran's Pool!

I've been taking my lunch to run and meet her at the pool and it's been so worth it! I love having a half an hour with Adi at the pool each day!

Adi and I have fun in and out of the pool!

Lovin' Us Some Summer Time

In April we saw a deal for the Utah Pass of all Passes, 10 bucks! We couldn't pass it up, so we bought one for each of us.

Adi's definitely used hers more than Ryan and I, but we're managing to make it more and more!

This afternoon Adi and I went with my brother and sister-in-law, Austin and Bri.

So. Much. Fun.

Adi and I missed Ryan, A LOT, but he's doing good with the Red Cross because of all of the fires in the area. We're proud of you Ryan.

Here are a few shots of some of the down time:

Dippin' Dots with my best buddy!

All of us (check out my crazy hair)!

Austin and Bri with Adi

Exhausted. 

Water Babies

For the fourth, I took the Friday before off to have a playdate with my wonderful friend, Bailee. It was so nice to experience a day in the life of a stay-at-home mom who gets to experience typical summer days with their kids. (Hopefully I'll have a couple more of those to spend time with Adrielle before the summer's over.)

First off was brunch at Kneaders. We devoured some delicious french toast with strawberries. I had planned on doing something at home, but Kneaders was fast and easy and so yummy that it was an easy sway.

After brunch, we headed home for a quick nap before heading to the Lindon Aquatics Center for some fun swimming. We had planned on going to Seven Peaks, but when we learned it cost $25 a person for a day pass, we opted for the fun of a Seven-peaks type kid's pool for $5. It was so worth it.

Adi and I drove with Bailee and Canyon. It was so fun to see them in the back seat smiling at each other and passing shoes back and forth. I can imagine that this is what having twins would be like. Definitely fun, definitely busy. I snapped a few pictures on our way there to capture their cuteness.

We played and played and played some more! Unfortunately on this go-around we didn't snap any pictures at the park (but we will next time). We did however have a blast going down the slides, relaxing in the lazy river, running through the jets or water and by the time we left we were simply exahusted.

All-in-all it was a wonderful way to kick off the Fourth and we're so excited to do it again. Thanks Bailee and Canyon! We love spending time with you!

My Little Water Baby 2

Going through the pictures on the computer, I came across this treasure that I hadn't even seen. How fun. I love going to swimming lessons with Adi! I just can't wait until we can swim outside again! Summer please come quickly!

My Little Water Baby

Adi and I signed up for Mommy and Me swimming lessons, and we are loving them. 

She doesn't like it nearly as much as she did this summer (I don't blame her, I'd rather swim during the summer with the sun warming the water...), but she is learning more each time we swim. Here's a cute shot of her with a fun rubber ducky. 

McKenzie and Adrielle - January 2011

Is that not the cutest little swimmer ever?

It Was An Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow...

Tutu For My Baby...

This week, Adi modeled her new swimsuit (a little yellow tutu) and then we met up with my cousin Melissa for mom and me swimming at the rec center. It was fun--it was only us--and we had a blast!

Next big swim item: mom and me swimming lessons! Yay!

Little Swimmer

All ready to go to the pool in her suit, shades, and hat.

Happy little swimmer, ready to get in.

Swimming!