Let's get wet

All four kids took swimming lessons at the same time. It was pure heaven. I had time to sit and read, or watch their class. Mainly it was just peaceful. When I did observe it was so fun to see them learning and growing. The teachers were excellent, and I especially loved the daily update on their progress and what they still needed to work on. I was a little nervous for Kale because he was one of the younger ones, but he did great. He has absolutely no fear of going under the water, usually his teacher was lifting him out from under the water, to get him to listen. I guess that is a better problem to have then not wanting to get wet. He is getting better at swimming on his own, although if you watch him it's pretty scary, he is completely under water and doing more a crawl then a swim, but he knows when to come up for air, and then quickly dives back under. Eden grew a lot too. She is mainly getting comfortable to swim on her own, she can do it, but if she thinks about it too much she gets scared. With more time she will do really well. Jaya and Baylie were in the same class, and they focused on getting technical strokes. They both did well too, Jaya is a natural swimmer, Baylie is too she just needs to build her endurance.

 
 

Romney in the Valley

Governor Mitt Romney has visited our town twice this year and the second time we decided to take advantage. I took Jaya and Baylie with me, despite Baylie's many attempts to get out of it, and Eden trying to come, I took charge as the decision maker and said "Baylie you are going, Eden you are staying with Grandma."We stood in line in the sun for a long time. That's when Jaya decided she had had enough also. As we got about 10 feet from the doors we heard some rumors through the lines that the venue was full. When we finally got in, they then politely ushered us back outside (into the hot sun) and told us they were so glad we came. We decided to stick it out for a few minutes longer and I am glad we did because, Romney came outside, made a few comments and then shook hands with people in the crowd. Jaya was one person away from a handshake. All in all it was a cool experience. I have never been to a political rally, maybe that's not even what it was called, but it was neat to go.
To keep the overall morale of my group, I told the kids that they would get to take a few pictures while we waited. It really helped, they both loved taking photos. When we got home they even edited them too!

This was Jaya's picture she took. While we were there we ran into some families from the ward. This is one of my YoungWomen friends, Mel.

This little girl A goes to our church too and she did get to shake Romney's hand.

We also ran into Don my dad's best friend, he jumped in a picture with us.

Baylie's picture. She is much more into the abstract art than people!

This was the small group of Democrats supporting Obama

Family Photo Shoot Video

What do you think? This has been in my brain for a long time. So glad it's finally done!

We call him Captain

Dear Kale,

My only summer baby, it's time again to write your birthday letter. You are 3 now. In some ways it seems you have been three for years. Your vocabulary is incredible and so because you have been talking for awhile now I just assume you are older. On the other hand it's really hard to believe you are 3. I've said before that 3 is my favorite age, and with you being my youngest child and turning 3, I think I am going to have to pick a new favorite age.

You are such a joy. I never thought another man could wiggle his way into my heart like you have. I have had friends talk fondly of the love they have for their little boys, and how it's just different from their daughters and I completely agree. It's not more, it's just different. My heart melts at the way you sneak into my room early in the morning and climb into bed with me. It used to be that we would both cuddle and fall back asleep, but (sigh) I think you are getting to old for that, now instead you put your hands in my mouth, play with my hair, and poke me till I get sick of it and we get up. I love it when you wake up from your nap and I am the first name you call. I love that you tell me you love me and wrap your chubby little arms around my neck and let me carry you around. I know someday you will get too old to be carried around, and I know someday I will too, but for now, I like it. I love that you sweat, I know that sounds weird and I know one day I will not like this characteristic but for now I think it's so funny what a sweaty little boy you are. I love your little wet kisses too.

It's your littleness that I want to capture and keep forever, it's hard to imagine that with you growing up you will still be my little boy. I hope that you will, I hope that in some regard you will always be my little boy.

You love: Avengers, Captain America, The Hulk, and any other super hero your dad has diligently introduced you too. It's been a lot of work for him to instill this love in you (and your sisters) and it appears his hard work has paid off. You love, taking naps in Dad's arms during church meetings. It's amazing that every Sunday right on cue you cuddle up and fall asleep. Dad has perfected his skill and now he can even lay you down on the floor under the pew and you sleep through it all. You love salt, I am often finding you pouring the salt shaker straight into your mouth. The first time I saw this, I didn't stop you I wanted you to learn that you didn't like that first hand, but then you said "yum", and took another sprinkle, strange. You love to talk, and boy do you. You can out talk any visitor that comes over, and you will tell them anything that is on your mind. You love your sisters. They can play enough boy stuff that you are sufficient with the girls in your life, I hope that stays that way, for a long time. You love to brush people's hair, I guess you can't get through a houseful of girls and not learn some tricks of beauty. I have to say though to allow you to do this is extremely painful, you don't quite get that it hurts really bad when you brush, you will have to work on that, gentle brushing. You love to swim, you think you can swim like anyone else and so you have no fear at all. Even when you are bobbing under the water you aren't afraid, you're not afraid because you think that is what you are supposed to do when you swim.

You dislike it when other people, especially Eden sits on my lap, you will make a running attempt to get her off and secure your seat. You dislike being left out, you are determined to be involved in whatever your sisters are doing. You dislike cleaning. Getting you to clean is probably my biggest struggle with you. You need constant supervision to get a task done, you love to tell me that you don't know where things go, or that you just can't do that chore, your list of excuses is pretty good. Lately you have been just saying "no, no, no." sometimes I call you Mr. no - no.

You are so fun, and add so much to our family. Thank you for picking me to be your mom.

Love,

Mom

Facing painting: compliments to Jaya Case

WIPEOUT

Baylie wanted to have a Wipeout birthday party. It was so much fun to plan for. The days of ideas kept flowing in and unfortunately we didn't have the budget or time to do it all, but what we came up (with Grandma & Grandpa Beynon's help) turned out pretty good. I was just happy that no one got hurt.