SWIMMING, SWIMMING, SWIMMING

Once again, we caved and got a backyard inflatable pool. Re-read my last blog about WHY we built a huge swingset and now apply it to a public pool. Not even mentioning the gross heat(ok, not as gross as when we lived in SC, but still HOT and MUGGY), but it's just a bit overwhelming to be at a big pool trying to chase the girls around a pool deck, catch them as they jump in the water, and continue holding a 9 month old who SO wants to be crawling around on his own. So, we ended up with a 8 foot diameter pool with a filter and cover...and the girls (and mommy) LOVE IT! Even more so than last year because thanks to swimming lessons, they're way more independent and confident in the water. Elise is actually SWIMMING, which is really cool and Ainsley doesn't get upset or panic when her face goes under. It's a blast. We've been outside in the backyard for about an hour and 1/2 EVERY DAY for the last 3 weeks... everyone sleeps better, the girls are playing well together, Mitchell's monitor sits next to us while he naps upstairs...it's great. So here are a few pics from the last few weeks. Mitchell has only been in 2 or 3 times and he's kind of so-so on the whole thing. I would be, too, though, with the amount of splashing, shrieking, jumping, bumping, etc...that Elise and Ainsley create =)


This is actually a smile...=)

She closes her eyes, counts to 3, and "dives"...