Visits, Swimming, Tubing

We love when family comes to visit. Jordan (Stephen's cousin) & Michaela's family came and stayed with us for 3 nights. It was our first time meeting Michaela and their adorable kids. They are all so sweet! They arrived on their son, Calin's 2nd birthday. We had pizza and a yummy ice cream cake to celebrate.

Their daughter, Capri, is almost 2 months. She is so beautiful. I loved getting to snuggle with a little baby, miss those days with my kids.

Did you hear central Texas broke the record from the 1930's for the hottest summer, 70+ consecutive days of 100+ degree temps? Ugh, I can't wait for Fall weather. But the kids are still enjoying the pool.

Can't you tell. :)

Stephen and I had a date day today. Madeline went to Six Flags with her friend Ashleigh's family. So we asked our friends across the street if they could watch James so we could use our FB groupons for the Tube Haus at Canyon Lake on the Guadalupe river.

Surprisingly this river was ice cold! 

Our butts and hands got numb it was that cold.

It was a pretty river. 

Lots of beautiful river side estate homes lined both sides.

We saw quite a few ducks and geese on the river, made us think of the kids and how they would like to see them.

I loved all the beautiful trees there.

And this large rock/cliff was pretty cool.

The river was super low and slow due to the drought this summer. So we had to get up and walk in a few spots, but overall we had fun. 

It was a nice little getaway together.

When we got back from tubing, we took James out to lunch at Waterloo's Ice House. We had a discount card buy 1 burger entree get 1 free. All James wanted was to go some where they had french fries and a menu he could color (he's really into coloring now). It was a plus they gave out balloons! The host gave James Texas Orange - go Longhorns!

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!

My Wiggly Fish

I'm so proud of James. He learned to swim this summer at the age of 4. I still have him wear his arm floaties or his life jacket if we are swimming at rivers or swimming holes, or if we won't be near him at all times in the pool. Otherwise though I'm getting pretty confident in him being able to swim to the edge and not just sink and gulp a mouth full of water. Let's just say his form isn't there yet, he does a doggy paddle or this move where he wiggles his whole body - but it gets the job done. And he's actually pretty fast!

The mask and snorkels the kids got for Easter this year really helped James learn to swim because he didn't have to worry about breathing or coming up for air. The above video clip is of him chasing me in the shallow end.

I challenged him to swim the entire length of the pool (see pic below) with me without stopping. I borrowed a mask and swam along side him so I could video it. He did awesome and made it across the entire pool! Way to go James!!!

Butterfly & Pool Syrup!

I have lots of photos (aka syrup) to share in the post! Madeline wanted to release her butterflies, so we did that one evening this week.

At first she was scared to hold them but I showed her it's no big deal. 

(Gosh I have wrinkly fingers!)

So she held one after I did.

On the tips of her finger before it flew away!

So we go to the pool about 3-4 times a week. Sorry if you are already getting sick of my pool pics! But I love taking them of the kids. James and Madeline just keep getting tanner and tanner! At least they are blessed with skin that rarely ever burns.

My first underwater capture of James! :) Love all the bubbles in the pic, he's still learning to hold his breath under water.

Doesn't Madeline's arm look like it goes on forever in this photo!?

Jumping in the water.

Showing some brotherly-sisterly love.

She just keeps getting older and older, time passes by so fast!

But she'll always be my baby girl!

This weekend we also went and got a 10 week Sam's Club membership for $10! The deal ends today. We thought we'd give it a try for the summer, and it'll be nice to buy in bulk for our family reunion. We've always been Costco people especially since Stephen worked there for so many years. But we haven't had a membership there for a couple of years. And there are 2 Sam's Clubs much closer. It's just like Costco inside - except they don't have Kirkland's brand but their own name brand.

I still have a lot of cleaning and rearranging to do in our home before everyone arrives. But today I am devoting my time to sewing baby blankets for a dear friend who is expecting twins! I need to mail them off tomorrow. So I better get cranking!

Last Day

Today is Madeline's last day of school! That's right we'll have a 2nd grader this August. She had a great year, we are so proud of her. Today they will have a breakfast party in class to celebrate the last day. Madeline was asked to bring juice boxes, so she has 20 of them weighing down her backpack - she's a tough girl. LOL We also got gifts for her bus driver (she's holding) and her teacher. I've always made thank you poems/letters with a coloring page for Madeline to color and give to them at Christmas and the last day of school. We got her bus driver a Subway gift card, an American flag and a car/bus tropical air freshner that says "Mahalo" (thank you in Hawaiian). We got her teacher a gift card to get either a manicure or spa pedicure. As well as a summer towel that says "relax & enjoy". We hope they both have a great summer off and thank them so much for all they did for Madeline!

Has your summer started yet? Ours has, temps are in the 90's. Thought I'd share our latest pool pics. Oh and had to share what Stephen brought home from the Hertz lost and found. That's right I think this lifeguarding hat will be my new tubing hat. And don't these glasses just scream "Top Gun"? LOL

Our silly, water-loving boy.

Madeline soaking in the sun and practicing floating on her back.

Our beautiful and handsome boy.

Madeline practicing her hand stands under water. 

For the Memorial holiday weekend we're not doing much. Weird to think last year both my brothers, sister in-law and nephew were visiting at this time - wish they were here again. Stephen has to work most of the weekend. But tonight we're having our good friends the Wrights over to swim and bbq before their kids go to Washington for the summer. Hope y'all have a great weekend!