Call Day #120, 6/27/15

Eleanor had a swim meet this morning. We had to be there early so, of course, all three kids were still sleeping 20 min before we needed to be there. Waking up Eleanor...

Laying her head back down.

Claire tries to wake up.

Oliver didn't even move when the blinds are opened. (He's taken to sleeping with so many stuffed animals. As I put him to bed at night, he asks for "one more friend" and arranges them at the top of the pillow and down both sides of his crib.)

Sweet sleeper.

Made it to the pool in time. Stretching.

Breakfast at the pool.

Hand-holding.

After Eleanor's first swim, freestyle.

Showing off how much $1 buys at the concession stand.

Ring pops are a hit with all the kids!

Oliver wanted to try on goggles too.

Blue.

Ready for backstroke.

Swimming.

Entertaining herself with her goggles.

Silly Claire. Backwards goggles.

Glad to have Nanny at her meet!

The one-puzzle-at-a-time rule isn't always followed.

The tent the kids built.

Dinner at Nanny and Papa's! Oliver has been saying all week "eat outside Nanny's house" and tonight he got his wish. Plus, the girls are spending the night there and are thrilled. A nice end to the day for us all.

Call Day #119, 6/24/15

We spent a ton of time outside today. This morning we went to the neighborhood pool. The girls enjoyed their new giant swim tubes.

One of Claire's favorite friends from church joined us at the pool and at home for lunch.

This evening Eleanor had a swim meet. We took lots of snacks to eat since the meet was right at dinner time.

Waiting at the end of Eleanor's lane before her first event. Her bright pink bathing suit is super helpful in spotting her from afar.

Breast stroke.

That happy smile when finished.

Waiting to get out of the pool. (It is swimming etiquette to wait til all swimmers are done.)

With Garrett Farms Gators tattoo.

Watching the meet.

Oliver has learned to just watch at meets and not ask to get in the pool (since he's not allowed).

Hanging out with favorite friends, another set of red-haired sisters, in between swimming.

Backstroke.

Swimmers and timing officials.

With friends.

Oliver wanted his picture taken too.

Butterfly.

Greeted by siblings at end of race. Oliver told Eleanor "Good job, El-nor."

Call Day #118, 6/22/15

Eleanor recently had the idea of having a lemonade stand and selling muffins as well. She woke up thinking about it and set to work making plans. She located our cooler, measured the tables we could use, started gathering supplies, and then wanted to go to Aldi to buy some ingredients.

On the way to the grocery store, we stopped at Nanny and Papa's house to see Jackson. They've been watching him for the week.

There were a lot of smiles all around.

Cousins.

After visiting Jackson and going to the grocery store, it was lunch time. Oliver was rather insistent that we eat at Chick-Fil-A. Wonder where he gets that?

This girl LOVES to make and give gifts to people! She made a boat for her swim team coach out of popsicle sticks and clay. When they tested it out in the pool this evening, it floated.

I've been wanting to take this picture for a week. I love the gap smile!

Swim team practice in adjacent lanes.

Oliver with his new squirt toy.

The highlight of Claire's swim team practice today? Underwater silly faces. Getting ready to go under with her coach and some other swimmers.

After-dinner red, white, and blue popsicles. Oliver readily joins in the "Raise your hand if..." game with his sisters.

Call Day #117, 6/18/15

Another morning at VBS. Claire played a game with her group in which balloons were popped that had instructions inside for an activity they had to do. The balloons were hard to pop!

After VBS, we went to Sam's. Eleanor cut Oliver's food and helped get everyone settled for lunch. She likes to be a helper when we go somewhere to eat, getting all the straws, utensils, napkins, etc.

While waiting in long checkout lines, the kids like to play on the outdoor furniture nearby.

Oliver's been sick again. He's gotten really good at taking his medicine. He knows how to put the inhaler in the spacer...

Hold it on his face...

And close it back up again.

When we go to swim practice, he likes to ride on the gate at the pool entrance as it swings open and shut. "Tan I ride?"

Eleanor mid-practice.

Oliver has been hanging on to the pool stairs, stretching his legs back into the water, and either letting them float or kicking them around a bit. A little progress from just sitting and walking around on the steps.