Summer Activities

We kept busy throughout the summer with many fun activities.  The boys each picked their favorite ones to participate in.  For Cole that meant golf, T-ball and swimming.  Owen choose golf, swimming and some fun summer camps.  And Rose took her first swimming lessons!

Owen took golf lessons last summer too, but this was Cole's first time.  Luckily their classes were back to back so it was just one trip to the golf course each week.  Cole's class was first with Owen's class following.  While the boys picked up some new skills, Rose and I enjoyed the beautiful summer mornings relaxing on a blanket and watching the boys improve their golf swing.

Cole at golf lessons

Cole learning how to hold a club

"This is fun!"

Rose and Owen watching Cole golf

Owen's turn to golf

Owen taking a swing

Owen putting

Rose and Cole having a snack while Owen golfs

Cole done with his lessons

Rose waiting for her brothers to finish up golfing

Cole played in an all-inclusive T-ball league again this year with kids of all abilities.  It was so exciting to see kids that used walkers last year walking unassisted around the bases!  Each player is assigned a buddy to help guide them throughout the game.  Cole really enjoys playing T-ball with a buddy, otherwise I don't think he'd make it through an entire game.  (T-ball can be a bit dull for a boy that likes to be on the move!) This year he had a new buddy, Jessica, who was a dental student at the U of M.  They had so much fun running the bases and playing in the field.  Although they may have spent more time goofing around than playing ball!

At the end of the season, the players receive an award for their participation.  Cole was pretty proud of his metal.  His buddy Jessica was so sad to say good-bye to her new little friend.  She said, "Cole is the sweetest guy I've ever met."

During Cole's T-ball games, Owen and Rose cheered from the sidelines.

Owen and Rose cheering for Cole

"Oh boy, this game is a nail-biter!"

Owen enjoying the T-ball game

"Run Cole!"

Owen took several camps this summer.  He spent a few days learning how to make video games, he took a week long camp at Tamarack Nature Center learning about animals, and a week at Vacation Bible School (VBS).  Cole also attended VBS.  Neither were excited to go to VBS (it was Mom's idea) but they both had such a fun time that when the week was over they wished it had been longer!  I'm pretty sure they'll be eager to attend next year.  They learned some really fun songs at camp and got to take home a cd.  Cole hasn't stopped listening to the music.  He loves all the songs and knows all the words!  He'll even ask you to STOP singing so that HE can sing the songs himself.

All three kiddos took swimming lessons this summer.  It was a bit of a challenge getting everyone scheduled at the same time, so instead Rose swam on Saturday mornings and the boys swam after church on Sundays.

Owen is turning into quite the swimmer.  He can swim completely independent now and is mastering all sorts of different techniques from the backstroke to the American crawl.  He really loves the water!

While Cole also loves being in the water, he hates putting his eyes underwater which can be quite a problem when you're learning to swim!

Cole bobbing up to his eyes

Cole really enjoys swimming lessons, especially the giant floating pad and the super fun steering wheel.  The wheel isn't actually part of his lessons, but seriously, who could resist!

Rose enjoyed her first swimming lessons.  She's a natural when it comes to the water.  Although I think she'd have even more fun if the water was a few degrees warmer.  By the time her lesson is over, her poor little teeth are always chattering away and her lips have turned a lovely shade of blue.