Summer Fun and Firsts!

Our first summer together so far has been a good one.  Sam is away on and off for a large part of the summer.  I have been concerned about what the girls and I would do (and how I would stay sane having them without a break 24/7) and how they would handle his absence.   Staying busy and focusing on Sam's return has been key for all of us!

Of course, we've been going to my parents' pool - the girls' favorite friend even joined us for a swim!

We made a "Papa Chain" to count the days until Sam returns.  Very helpful for their anxiety and they enjoyed ripping the links off each day.

The days have been incredibly HOT and I've had to work hard to come up with fun things to do inside.  We have a long, unused space by our counter with two barstools that are made for such little girls to sit on.  My creative juices were flowing one day and I decided to move the stools and make a coloring space.

C and FL have both enjoyed scribbling and drawing to their hearts' content.  We plan on saving each masterpiece to reuse as colorful custom wrapping paper. : )

We have a lot of open space at our home and a very long gravel driveway, but it just wasn't much fun to ride a tricycle on.  I brought them to my parents house, and an item that they once weren't very interested in has become a favorite!  It's amazing what smooth pavement will do for your ride!

And now, FLs legs are long enough to reach the pedals!  C has enough improvement in her coordination and muscle tone to TAKE OFF and ride FAST!   Her confidence (the main ingredient on her success) has grown as well.  Makes me so happy to see the good things blossoming in my children.

Of course, they love to be together (most of the time).  As long as we are in our little trio, it seems that we can go almost anywhere and do anything.

Their water skills are improving so, so quickly!  They can swim from the steps to the ladder in the deep (with puddle jumpers on) and climb out of the pool unassisted.

And this little fish would make her seaside birthplace proud.  Floating is her talent.  She gets in position all by herself and lays there and just enjoys it.  I'm sure she finds the underwater sounds so soothing.

C, on the other hand, does not like to get her hair wet.  My prissy little old lady!  We are working on it, though!   I'm too stubborn to let her spend her whole summer on the pool steps with one million flotation devices on and dry hair. ; ). We WILL have fun in the pool!  Ha ha!

I've spent many lonely summers now, quietly enjoying the solitude of the farm, yet dreaming of the things that I could be doing with my children.

It's wonderful to have your dreams come true.