2016 Summer Activities

It's hard to believe that summer is drawing to a close and school is just around the corner!  Cole was a busy boy this summer.  He played t-ball for the 3rd year in a row on an all-inclusive team with kids of all abilities.  It's a very low key group.  Each child gets a buddy to help them out and keep them focused on the game.  He really enjoyed playing and especially liked the yummy treats that followed each game, whether having a freezie with his team or heading to Cup-and-Cone down the street for some delicious ice cream!

Cole continued his horse riding lessons throughout the summer.  He's been riding over a year and is becoming quite the little cowboy.  He had a new instructor this summer who was great with him.  There is an indoor riding arena for when the weather doesn't cooperate, but he'd much rather ride the trails outside.  He loves riding through the trees and up and down the hills.  It's quite an adventure.  

At the end of Cole's riding session, Rose was treated to a 5 minute mini-lesson. I was so nervous to let her ride the first time! But with a trained professional at her side holding onto her, a well-trained horse, and a very eager little girl, I gave in. Turns out she's a natural! She's been riding since May and LOVES it!

Cole and Shane spent some one-on-one time together at a summer reading class to help Cole get ready for the start of the school year.  He'll be in full-day Kindergarten this year!!  They enjoyed their class and Cole showed off his awesome homework skills with me each night.  He's never had homework before so I wasn't sure how he'd handle it, but he did great!

Cole spent a month this summer at K-camp, a summer program held at our local kindergarten center to help kids transition into the school year.  He rode the bus to and from school every day.  It was his first time riding a bus and he was so very excited (and I was so very nervous sending my little boy off on a bus with a complete stranger!!)  Let's just say, there were tears spilt, but they weren't Cole's!!  He spent the mornings at his new school, figuring out where everything is located, meeting new friends and learning the ropes of Kindergarten.  He is definitely all set for the school year!!

Ready for his first day of K Camp

The bus is here!

Cole home from K Camp

Owen just wanted to "relax" this summer, but he did take part in a few activities. He took two different golf lessons.  The first he loved - he was able to play on a course built just for kids.  But the second, he didn't care for as they spent the vast majority of their time on the driving range hitting balls.  Even though he did a fair share of complaining, I must say he's becoming quite the little golfer!

Owen spent several weeks at various camps offered through our school district and church.  He took two art camps, an engineering camp and attended Vacation Bible School.  By far his favorite activity this summer was the art camps.  He made some amazing clay sculptures and paintings.  He is quite the artist!

All the kids took swimming lessons this summer.  They made so much progress in their swimming abilities!  We had a small blow up pool in our backyard this year which is one reason they did so well.  They loved swimming and splashing around in the water!

Owen is such a little fish and an amazing swimmer.  He can hold his breath for a crazy amount of time.  He loves being under water!  He has all the typical swimming strokes down pat and was even working on the butterfly stroke! 

Cole also did a great job at swimming lessons.  While he loves playing in the water, he's always been fearful of putting his eyes under water which has really slowed him down when it comes to swimming.  But this year he willingly put his eyes in the water!!  A huge break through for him!  

And Rose, well, she is a natural when it comes to water, just like her big brother Owen!  While all the other little kids were crying and scared, our Rose was splashing, kicking, floating and blowing bubbles!!