Swim Lessons

We signed Austin up for swim lessons again this year except this year he was old enough for the Preschool class which meant me and Craig got to watch from the sidelines. Austin has two of his friends, Nathan and Paxton also in his class so that made it even more fun for him.
There was actually only 4 people in the class and 2 teachers which was great because Austin was able to get lots of practice and attention. Here they are getting themselves used to the water.
His teachers were so awesome!! They found fun ways to get them to do things in the water. Here they are "listening for the fishies."
I really enjoyed watching Austin try new things and seeing him improve every day he went. Several times during his lesson Austin would look up to the stands and make sure that mommy and daddy and Kayla were watching him. After two weeks of swim lessons Austin passed Preschool with flying colors. Some of the skills he conquered was kicking with straight legs, front and back floats, jumping in, blowing bubbles, getting his ears wet, and getting his eyes wet. He got very good at putting his face under the water. Good job Austin!!!

30 Years Young

That's right, on June 4th I turned the big 30. That sounds really old to me but I definately don't feel that old and I know I don't look that old so I guess that's good. Me and Craig went out for dinner by ourselves which was nice and my mom made me brownie trifle--so so yummy!!!

Flowers in Full Bloom

A couple days after planting our flowers, I looked out the window and discovered this. Some little squirrel had a fun time digging out the back half of our flowerpot. We salvaged what we could and then planted some pink flowers in the back that I had gotten on mothers day from Mikayla.

My neighbor had warned me about the squirrels. She also gave me the idea of putting a snake in the pot to keep the squirrels away. So that is what we did.

And it worked!!! Several weeks later we had a flowers in full bloom. So the snake had done his duty and is now back in the toy box and we get to enjoy the pretty flowers!!

Super Mario Galaxy

Austin's favorite thing is Mario!! (especially Mario Galaxy). He spent hours watching Craig beat the game and then I decided to play it and couldn't quit until I had beat the game myself. It is an awesome game!! and Austin loves it!! Usually he is the one that comes up to me and asks "wanna play Mario?" How can I refuse?? Even Mikayla likes to watch and always claps when we beat a level and the star appears. Then she runs over with her hand up and yells "five" waiting for us to give her a high five. It is pretty cute.

After beating the first Super Mario Galaxy, we couldn't wait until number 2 came out. It was released on a sunday which was pure torture for Craig who wanted nothing more than to run to the mall and pick it up (since we had already paid for it previously). But he held off until the next day and we have enjoyed playing it the last few months. I even beat the final Bowser before Craig did :)

So Austin's imaginative play often becomes setting up Mario "games" as he calls them. He sets up different arrangements of toys (usually squares) and moves his "Mario" (which is usually one of his favorite trucks) around. He will take lots of cars and arrange them on his playing board and they become the "bad guys" which he has to "get" which involves taking his truck (aka Mario) and knocking off the other cars (aka bad guys).

We have had fun seeing his excitment when we find him Mario toys, or pj's or T-shirts. This shirt is his favorite and yes, I gave in and let him wear it two days in a row (it was a battle I just didn't want to have that day). Gosh, I love this little guy!!! Watching him play just makes my heart smile :)