THERE'S PAPA!!!!!

Papa flew over the house tonight at the delight of the kids. We all stood outside and waved and waved!!! He flew over a couple of times and we hoped he would come by again. He flew over really low and dipped his wings at us. It was a lot of fun to see him fly over the house so low. Thanks Papa!


Cooper and Sophie trying to listen for Papa's plane. Hoping to see him fly over again.
Even Ava watched him fly over.
Drake watched too!!!

Ava sits up

Ava Kate has really starting sitting up much better this week. She can sit for several minutes by herself, until she gets distracted and loses her balance.

Silly kids

After their baths, the kids looked so cute and clean that I thought I would try to get a picture. I thought this silly one was cute.

My girls

Sophie at 3 and a half and Ava Kate at 6 months. Girls are so much fun! I love having them.

Ava Kate is 6 months old

It is hard to believe that Ava is 6 months old. She is such a sweetheart and the whole family just can't seem to get enough of her. She smiles at everyone and is very, very close to sitting up all by herself.

The first day of school...

Today, August 19, 2009 was Cooper's first day of Kindergarten and Drake's first day of 4th grade. Cooper was SO excited, Drake was dreading it. Cooper has Mrs. Gerrard. She was the teacher I was hoping for. Drake got the teacher he wanted, Mrs. Smith, but ALL of his friends are in a different class together. He is the only one of his buddies not in Ms. Fowler's class, so he is feeling a little left out.

The boys are ready for the big first day.

Cooper needed a hug from Daddy before he left.
Drake wouldn't let me walk him to class, but he let me take this picture of him infront of the school...I was surprised he let me. :)
Look at this big Kindergarten boy. He asked Mark, yesterday if he was going to learn to read today. He can't wait to be able to read and write.
Mrs. Gerrard helped Cooper get situated and got him some Play-doh. Play-doh must help with first day of Kindergarten nerves.
One last wave before I left. He looks a little distressed.

Swim Ranch

Well, the kids completed another year at the swim ranch. They all did great! Drake only has 6 more flags to get his "fish". Kids earn their "fish" and graduate from Swim Ranch having accomplished, to the coaches satisfaction, all the swimming skills they teach. It is a big accomplishment and hopefully, Drake will get his fish next year. He has only the hardest skills left to complete, but he can do it.

Cooper learned to swim all by himself this year. He did super! He loves swimming and jumping off the diving board or the side of the pool. He is very daring! Ugh!

Sophie completed the "swim babies" class again this year. She did such a good job and really enjoyed being in the water. Next year, when she is 4, she will get to move up to the "Lane 1" swimmers and learn to swim by herself. That will be great! In the water babies class I have to get in the pool with her, but not next year. However, I will have to get in the pool again with Miss Ava Kate. It will be her turn to start learning to swim.

Cooper and Drake proudly show their certificates, while Sophie (needing a nap) grumpily hid hers behind her back.
Drake in mid-air!

This is Cooper's Lane 1 class getting instructions from the teacher (Nate, Savannah, Cooper and Brightly)

Jumping off the diving board is a highlight of swimming lessons.

I don't know how Drake swam back and forth across the pool as many times as he had to. I could have never done it. But he did! He was tired the rest of the day.

Cooper swimming, by himself, across the length of the Olympic Sized swimming pool!! He swam really fast across too!

Big breath!

Learning to dive.

Watching his coach teach the correct swimming techniques. He paid close attention.

While waiting for the boys to finish their lessons, Sophie ate lunch every day. Once the boys lessons were over, it was nap time for Sophie and it showed!!

To learn the correct positioning for one of the strokes (can't remember the name), they make the kids use a swim noodle. Once they get the correct form, they take the noodle away and make them swim up and down the pool. Tiring!!

Learning to swim on his back.

Drake, in lane 4, listening to instructions.

Sophie and her teacher, Coach Susan, with Sophie's certificate of achievement.
Mommy and Sophie.
Sophie learning to doggy paddle. She did such a good job.