Bringing in the Hay

Grandpa Koenning had trouble finding help to bring in his hay this year, so Brandon took the kids and spent the day Friday helping get it done.  There was a big chance of rain Saturday, so it needed to be done before then.  The kids loved helping and riding in Grandpa's pick-up truck.  They were truly "country" kids for the day.

Lillian swim lessons 2012 part 2

Lillian at swim lessons

Swim Lessons 2012

Another summer means another session of swimming lessons for the Koenning kids.  I grew up going and know it is important that they learn so they won't be scared of the water and will be safe around it.  The kids had a great time this year.  We didn't have any anxiety issues about me leaving like Andrew had last summer and they seemed to learn some techniques.  It was parent day today so I got to watch and take pictures.  Andrew was in the Advanced preschool class and they still did most of their swimming in the arms of their instructors, but he looked like he was doing well with his strokes and learning to go underwater.  Lillian was in Level 1 and it was neat seeing her and her classmates race in teams as part of their lesson to practice their strokes.  Here are a few pictures I took of them today.

We Went to the Beach

 We decided that with Lillian going into Kindergarten this fall, this was our last chance for a very long time to go on vacation in May before the rush of all the families going after school gets out.  So we rented a beach house in Gilchrist, TX for a long weekend right after the kids got out of preschool for the summer. (They had a 2 week break until summer preschool.)

The house was great and exactly what we needed.  It was beachfront so we didn't have to cross any streets with the kids and they could run back and forth if they needed to go up and go to the restroom while we were out too.  We could also go out while the kids napped.  Brandon's sister, Sherlene also came with us to help us with the kids.

We all enjoyed our time on the beach.  We swam, flew a kite, built sandcastles, and played in the water.  We also ate some yummy seafood at the local restaurant.  Before we left, we took the ferry over and spent most of the last day in Galveston and went to the Moody Gardens Aquarium.  We had taken the kids 2 years ago, but they were too little to remember it.  I really enjoy watching the seals and the penguins there.  Marjorie even laughed as the seals did flips in the water in front of us.  It was a quick trip, but lots of fun and a welcome break!