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!

Our First Graduation

We began the first of many graduations in our family today with Lillian's preschool graduation.  This is so bittersweet!  Lillian began Harmony Hill Preschool when she was 20 months old, 3 days a week.  She has loved going there every single day she attended!  She has had some awesome teachers and made so many great friends as well as me making friends with their moms and teachers!  I can not believe that this is coming to an end and we will actually be in the state school system this fall!  Lillian is so excited about Kindergarten, but I know she will miss the friends she had at Harmony Hill!  Congratulations to our little graduate!

Lillian and Henry, her friend since she was 20 months old

Class of 2025

The girl buddies: Lillian, Luci, and Quinn...also friends since 20 months!

 

First Pool Visit of the Year

It was a hot 90 something degree day and my kids weren't napping.  My neighbor, Mary said she was taking her girls to the pool, so I decided we would head out there too.  I'm glad we did.  It felt perfect and the kids had a great time and got wore out to sleep well tonight!  Marjorie had her first swim in a pool ever and really liked it.  I carried her around and passed her to Mary and she was having a wonderful time.  Then     I sat her near the sprinklers in the splash area and she laughed and played with it too.  It was a great afternoon.

                           Andrew playing with the baby float after Marjorie preferred for me to hold her.

                                                           Lillian paused for a photo

                                                     Marjorie liked hanging out with Mary.

                                                   Loving the water

                                            Lillian with her buddies, our neighbors: Jordan and Taylor

                                                                    My little water baby

Marjorie loving the sprinkler

Marjorie sure enjoyed the sprinkler area of our neighborhood swimming pool.

Splash Park Opens

The weather is getting hot and it is that time of year again to start the water fun!  My friend and neighbor Karen and I were talking this weekend and realized that it was almost opening day for the Splash park!  It opens here on May 1st.  So since it was a very warm day today, we decided to take the kids out after nap.  They were very excited to finally get to play in the water this year and wear their new swimsuits.  Marjorie wasn't so sure about it at first and cried when I first put her in the water, but after a while, she had fun getting wet and watching the kids run around. And so begins a season...or 2 of fun in the sun!