I made the kids robes for fun but they came in handy after swim lessons this morning. I'm going to take a pic of them wearing them and post it. They look adorable running around in them.

Evan can swim under water! He walk/ swims 3 or 4 feet away from the wall and then swims to the wall under water. I asked if his teacher showed him but he said he did it all by himself. He's been staying under water longer and swimming a bit farther to get rings. So I guess this was the next step. He can also float on his back. He used to be really tense and wouldn't ever put his feet out straight or let his head/ears touch the water. Grace is the same way. But this week his teacher showed him how to float. We started out on the little ledge that's about a foot down and had him lay his head on one of the steps. But now he's relaxed enough to float the length if the pool with just a hand under his back. And Grace has also relaxed a little. She still has a little trouble putting her feet out straight but she did for a little bit today as well as her head. And she swam a lot today using the pool noodle under her arms while the instructor held the ends up. She also swims if you aim her towards the wall or steps from about a foot out. She still needs a little help staying above the water but by next year I think she'll be able to do as we'll as Evan. Evan really seems proud of himself. Every time he would swim under water to the wall he would look at me and I would clap and he clapped for himself a few times. I'm really surprised at how much they've learned. I think once Grace is tall enough to reach like Evan that she'll be a lot more confident about swimming. I'm really glad we put them in lessons. They're both doing great.

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We went swimming this morning. It was fun but so chilly for the end of July.

Ray's man cave/command center.

Little princess.

It's been such a nice week. We've eaten breakfast on the deck and the kids go play outside. We're really enjoying the weather.

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The kids and I put up a bird feeder. Evan said it's awesome.

More visitors, a mommy and baby deer

First woodland creature. Grace named him pinky pie and said she missed him when he went into the woods.

Tree fort tent and Popsicles. Now you're talking.

We worked on school stuff for a little bit, cutting with scissors, tracing letters, sorting shaped pencil sharpeners, and writing their names. And now we're out side enjoying this beautiful day and the kids are on the jungle gym.

Having an amazing cool breakfast out on the deck. Sometimes it's even chilly. I hope it's not to cold for swim lessons.

Evan had his DIAL test today. It's given through parents as teachers. It's optional. But it lets you know how your child is developing based on kids his age. Evan did great of course. The minimum score for the test is 49 based on the numbers they expect you to get and Evan ended up with a 60. There are some things he needs to work on. But they start everyone out in preschool at the same level and then fortify what he already knows and teach him what he doesn't. When we left he said " Mom, that was so much fun! I want to come back to school again!" And when we called Ray to tell him how it went, Evan said "Dad, school is great!" That's the best we could have hoped for. He also didn't have any problem separating from me to go do the testing. I'm glad he's so well adjusted. It makes me feel better about dropping him off two days a week, not knowing what he's doing. I think I'm going to have a harder time with the whole thing than him. That's what you want though, an independent kid.

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The kids first swim lesson went well. Both of the kids blew bubbles in the water and used the kick board. And they even swam a little by themselves with a pool noodle under their arms. They also jumped in the water. And Evan dove down and touched the bottom in the 3 ft area and grabbed a ring with his hands. I was so proud. And they both did a great job listening to the instructor and doing what she asked. And they are excited for their next lesson. They have lessons T, W, Th, and Friday for the next two weeks. I think they'll love getting to be in the pool so much.

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A few more of the Egyptian exhibit.

Science center

My family came up to see the house and spend a couple of days. I took them to the science center.

Dinner at Stir crazy last night.

What can I say, I'm a sucker for organization and the kids staying out of my purse. And how cute is it that they have little back pack hooks. Evan was so excited to hang his up. Hopefully he'll keep that enthusiasm.

Kids trying on their back packs.

Here's a day time view.

Before and after.