The Pool

Just before Ellis was born, Ed and I made a quick trip to the KMart about half a mile away to purchase a new kiddie pool for Blanden because last summer's purchases (we had one for Belle too -- and, no, Ella wasn't neglected; she hates the water) didn't make it through the winter -- you know the type, the standard hard-plastic kind that cost about $10. However, after Ed saw the sales, he couldn't resist buying this instead:

That's quite the pool for our itty, bitty backyard! And for our little boy! Blanden was excited. Here he is helping Daddy set it up and fill it on June 5.

And then trying it out with Papa for the first time on June 10.

We teased Papa that we do now have water here in Colorado, the one thing he misses when he comes to visit -- and the one thing holding him back from moving out here someday. So now what is he waiting for? ;)

And back in it again today.

For the couple who just last summer feared the takeover of giant plastic paraphernalia that seems to accompany children (one sandbox seemed like more than enough), it's pretty clear now that between the sandbox, the kiddie picnic table, the new climber, and the pool, our yard has, in fact, been taken over by giant plastic paraphernalia ... and also by one (and next summer it will be two!) very happy, active little boy.

But we figured that as much as we all love Washington Park, and as close as the park is, there will be days this summer when it will be easier for Mommy and Ellis to set up camp for Blanden in our own backyard. It's worth it. (Although perhaps not for Belle, as this is inflatable and she isn't allowed in...But she is growing ever fonder of her growing playmate that is Blanden.)

Best Back Float

Blanden's last swim lesson (for now) was this morning. He loves getting in the pool with Dad. And Blanden now has the best back float in the class, hands down -- even his coach complimented him on it. Most babies dislike being on their backs in the water -- they get tense and try to sit up. But in the past couple weeks Ed has helped Blanden make great progress. Ed sings softly to him while floating around the pool and Blanden is able to fully relax and stretch out.

Blanden loves the water so I'm sure we'll sign up again later on this summer.

Last Summer Swim

With their neighborhood pool closing after Labor Day, our friends Susan and Sarah invited us out for one last summer swim. Unfortunately, Mommy accidentally deleted some cute photos of Sarah and Blanden sharing snacks on the wagon ride over to the pool, and we were all too busy actually swimming and playing in the big pool to take photos there, but you get the idea: We've had fun!

Enjoying pizza for lunch on the patio -- and sitting up in a real chair, eating like a big boy, a surprise to Mommy! I thought he would need to have a picnic on the ground, but it turns out my baby is not so much of a baby anymore. Perhaps he was inspired by Sarah showing him the ropes.

Splashing in the kiddie pool. Amazingly, we had it all to ourselves today. (Blanden has definitely grown this summer. When we first went in June, he was just tall enough to sit down with the water up to his chest. Now he has noticeably more room!)

Thank you, Susan and Sarah! We've had a blast. Next up: Fall and winter play dates at the zoo, the butterfly pavilion, the aquarium, ... ;)

A Mellow Monday

Today was a mellow day, which was just what we needed. I had to work, so Blanden got to spend a whole wonderful day with Grammy and Papa.

Breakfast with Grammy and Papa (while Mommy sleeps).

Going on a big walk with Grammy, Papa, and Phoenix (while Mommy works).

Dinner with Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Raymond and Great-Great Aunt Marion.

Enjoying corn on the cob.

Evening pool time with Mommy.

Pajama playtime.

Uncle Andrew reading Blanden one of his favorite books as a child (that's his copy ;) ).

Swimming in the Sun

Today Blanden's friend Sarah invited him to come over and go swimming in her gorgeous neighborhood pool, which just opened. As Susan and I were busy with the little ones, I forgot to take any pictures, but this is where we enjoyed some fun in the sun, particularly in the kiddie pool in the foreground.

It's been more than two months since we last got together. Now Sarah is walking and Blanden is crawling. Today Sarah practiced walking through the water, while Blanden practiced standing by holding on to the sides, and he was just tall enough to sit down in the pool with the water just beneath his chin. I think it's going to be a fun summer for all!

(Note: Photo sent courtesy of Susan, so we could at least post something. :) More photos of Baby B to come soon.)

Swim Lessons

Blanden greatly enjoys the water. He loves to play and splash around, and he's already beginning to kick his feet. Sadly next Saturday is the last lesson for this round. We have some other fun things on the plate for upcoming weekends (and he will have at least a few other opportunities to go swimming this summer) so we will be taking a break before signing up for another session, but we will definitely go back.

Reading in his crib before we are ready to head out (and modeling his Adidas warm ups that he wears to the pool each weekend).
First lesson with Dad -- what fun!

Learning to float -- assisted, of course.

Coming up from underwater!

Surfing with Dad. Wow, Mommy doesn't let me do this!

Lazy Sunday

There isn't too much to report this evening; it was a mellow Sunday.

Blanden has been waking up at 6:30 a.m. (which is very early for him -- at home he wakes up at 7:15/7:30, so waking up at 6:30 here is perplexing considering it's only 4:30 at that hour in Denver! Maybe he is just so excited to be on vacation.), so Papa has been getting up early to play with Blanden the past couple mornings to allow me to enjoy some wonderful and rare opportunities to curl back up in bed and sleep in.

Today, after we were all awake, we lounged around the house, went back to the pool this afternoon, then wandered through Fisherman's Village, a local outdoor shopping area, this evening. In fact, it's been such a relaxing, lazy day, it's actually hard to remember what we did ... the sign of a good vacation. We just wanted to share a few more photos with Dad. (It's kind of funny to think that Dad went skiing in Vail today while we went swimming!)