Our Little Family: July 2014

Monday, July 28, 2014

Fun Day in Jefferson City

Last Friday was a perfect day to do something outside. The morning wasn't supposed to be as hot and humid, so I decided to take the kids to Jefferson City for the day. I had heard awesome things about Runge Nature Park and was excited to take the kids. A Chick Fil-A also opened so we planned to eat lunch there. Everyone also talked about the Central Dairy Ice Cream shop, so I knew the kids would love it!

We brought our friend, Ila Rose with us. Cohan and Ireland both love her so much.

The three kids and I had a blast. How cute are they?!

The inside of Runge is like a museum. They gave the kids a scavenger hunt and they loved it!

There were several trails outside. We decided to start on the one the kids saw first. Again, they loved it. There were so many birds, butterflies and flowers. They thought they were on an adventure.

And how beautiful is that?!?!

The kids "hiked" about two miles. I was so impressed. Not once did someone ask to be held.

They were worn out, thirsty and hungry!

So we ate at Chick Fil-A...

then headed to an old fashioned ice cream shop. The kids had fun picking their ice cream...

We had such a fun day!!!! We will be going back soon.

Ireland's First Movie

With swim lessons each night and swimming each day, we needed a little family break from the sun last week. Wednesday, I took Cohan and Ireland to see the new Planes: Fire and Rescue movie. Cohan loved and Ireland was really good. The snacks helped!!

Cohan has two movies he REALLY wants to see... Transformers and Ninja Turtles.

Unfortunately, both are not appropriate for him.

Keep dreaming kid...

And just because I can't get enough of how cute this little ballerina is...

Happy Monday!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

More Comfortable in the Water

I will be the first to admit that I am a freak about my kids in water. I get so freaked out about drowning. When I was pregnant with both kids, I had nightmares about them at the lake. Horrible and still so vivid.

That being said, I get really freaked out about them in the lake. This year, I have gotten so much (ok, maybe just a little) better. I still don't let them swim in it, but a couple of our friends have cool rafts and lily pads that they play on in the lake. They love it. And I feel like I am being really brave. Baby steps. :)

Cohan had two goals for the summer. Swim and tie his shoes. We have done neither. But... he is in swim lessons and we did just buy shoes with laces... again, baby steps. :)

My sister-in-law, Beth, told me about these amazing swim lessons. She kept talking about how great they were. I thought they were a little pricey and time consuming, but I trusted her judgement and couldn't be happier. The Mizzou swim coach and his family teaches them. The first day, Ireland LOVED lessons. She was so friendly and did everything they asked. I stay in the water with her and I think that helped. Cohan cried the ENTIRE time on his first day. The coaches wife said maybe Scott and I should leave. That didn't help. We still heard him screaming for us. :(

That night, we decided to try bribery. If he didn't cry, we would go out to dinner and he could get a strawberry daiquiri. Boom! It worked!!! Since that day, he has not cried once, has asked to go back and is now diving for rings and sticks at the bottoms of the pool on his own. He is swimming!!! I am so proud of him. Ireland? Yeah, she does everything they tell her to and also goes to the bottom for rings, but she is NOT happy about it anymore.

We go again each night next week. I am impressed with how these lessons are going and it is helping me not to be a crazy worrier about my kids in the water!