Summer Catch-up Part 3

I have probably mentioned this no less than 100x, but I spent my summer inside a not always well air conditioned gymnastic center. I am going into my second year as a coach and have put in a ton of hard work and spend countless hours researching skills and drills. Going from competitive gymnast to coach isn't as natural as I would have thought, mostly b/c I lack teaching fortitude, but it is coming alive in me. Due to need and my hard work{?!?!} I got moved up to co-coach the level 4s. I love these girls so much. It is like each one is my own daughter and I get to watch them grow and come into their own. This is why this particular job is a dream come true for me. However, it came with its sacrifices this summer of not getting to be around a lot to do stuff with Chad and the kids. {Which is totally ok--I needed this job and Chad needs to be the main parent for the kids once in awhile and have that one on one time with them like I get 9 months a year}

So when we did get to do things I cherished it.
I have been wanting to take the kids to this cool castle looking park for years.
Chad finally loaded us up and we went.
The kids had a blast!

We may have had a bit of fun too!

We also had an end of summer water balloon fight that my neighbor hosted.

We live in a great neighborhood with great kids and families. While we may not always love our houses or wish for more or less, we all cringe at the fact of moving away from one another. I have never experienced anything like this ever.

I even busted out our big pool for Labor day weekend, unfortunately it must have a hole b/c it didn't last long, but it was fun while it did last.

And that is our summer...now onto fall!! :)

The Joy of Water.

It turned quickly hot here in KS, practically overnight. It isn't unbearable---yet, but I sure wish we could have had a few spring-ier like days before the heat set in. So what does one do when it is hot...turn on the water.

Playing water guns with the neighbors. Micah looks like he is on.a.mission.

Lo get's serious about her water gun.

Of course you have to mix it up a bit to keep everyone cool. So turn on the sprinkler.

These girls are just too cute and their "Baywatch" run cracks me up. HA!

Another hot hot day it occurred to me to get out the toddler pool I have run over in the garage all winter long. :) I really am a good driver. Promise.

So here daddy is spraying them with a shower in the pool...trying to be funny.

It did make a pretty rainbow!

Cool dude and his too big goggles.

Chilling in our "red neck" pool. I asked my dad for this huge umbrella to shade the pool for the kids while mommy sits with her feet propped up under the deck. While my under the deck vision is anything but what I envisioned--looks and appeal wise, it is everything I envisioned--a sandbox, a water table, a pool and a comfy bench to sit in the shade an watch the kids play in the heat. :) Here's to the start of a fun summer and many more nights of water fun.

If you can't beat the heat... Go swimming.

So have I mentioned it is hot here?! Not just hot, but HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! {105* plus going on 2 weeks now}, I mean this is nothing new I live in the desert, oh wait, no I don't...but at this point pretty much same diff. Who can tell how much Michele loves the heat? ;) Pretty much this is the same song second or third verse of last year, so to keep cool we go to the Y waterpark for toddler time 3 days a week and then bunker down in Target, our house for the rest of the day.

Micah LOVES the swing. He may or may not nearly fall asleep in there every time. HA!

Ah the water bucket. Leighton's favorite thing. Last year I lost track of her for a moment {yes, I still got my parent of the year award no worries} and the bucket dumped, she was under it. Cue major meltdown and fear. I was fairly certain we would never go back to the pool. This year...she runs for it every.single.time. it clanks signally the impending dump.

Of course pictures can not do her joy justice. So please enjoy this video and ignore my stupid commentating. CBS sports won't be calling anytime soon. :)


Waterpark fun {bucket drop} from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

A few weeks ago we helped my cousin's little boy celebrate his 6th birthday. It was a "pool" party. They had a bunch of fun water slides. Both kids were in heaven.

Of course that side of the family are KU fans...this is Lo's tried and true response every time she sees that bird. HA! Got to love her.

 

Then sometimes when it cools off to a nice 100* straight up in the evenings we play water guns, balloons and sprinklers with the neighbors.

look at that focus. MW may just be the next Tom Brady.


There are no words for these two...

How are you beating the heat? At least the kids don't seem to mind the scorching temps.

Lo Swims

Here is the video of Lo swimming. We were so proud of her. I am sure my hubby is disappointed I didn't edit it but I hate editing video, so I guess he should have got on it quicker. :) HA!
Enjoy.

Lo Swimming from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

First and Last Swim

Last Sunday we went for our first and most likely last swim of the summer. Where did summer go? I am sure you are thinking what about all those other pool pics, but I don't really count it as swimming if I am only ankle deep and chasing Lo through sprinklers. HA! Plus, this was Micah's first time to really get into the water.


It was a perfect day for a swim. Micah did really well, not one tear shed. When I put him in his crab I couldn't get over how much it reminded me of Lo 2 years ago.


And this year Lo learned to swim in her puddle jumper and a floating swimsuit. I was just so proud. She had the time of her life being all big girl in the pool.

I have a video of Lo swimming, but it will have to wait until daddy gets home and uploads it. :)

All in all a great day at my grandparents pool. I can't wait until next year when Micah will be more active in the water.

Meet Little Fish

This is our little fish. ::insert her making a sucking fish noise::


She loves to go swimming. Which is a big 180* from the start of summer.
This is what she thought of swimming early on.


Now we can't blast her out.
Lo and I took swim lesson's at our local rec center. I really just did it for a fun activity this summer, but it actually proved really useful and helpful...who knew?! She loved it. We would show up 10-15 minutes early just so she could play in the zero depth area before class started.


During the lessons we learned how to "swim" on our backs and tummy. She actually started to like being on her back toward the end. They also worked on blowing bubbles which she was a real pro at. The instructor said she never seen a "baby" blow bubbles that long under water. She is pretty fearless when it comes to swimming it seems.


I have had fun taking her swimming all summer and I can't wait to see how much she improves by next summer.

Here are some fun in the sun shots.