High Dive - Woodland Pool - August 2013

Reagan talked about going off the high dive all summer long. The idea made me nervous... The other issue was there was only one pool with a high dive and it wasn't the one we typically visited. After seeing how comfortable Reagan was with the low dive at a couple of other pools I decided she would probably be ok to try the high dive. With that in mind, the last week of August we headed to the pool with the high dive for Missy Reagan. When she got up on the diving board she actually would have chickened out except the lifeguard said she wasn't allowed to go back down the ladder. Without any choice she jumped right off the end and LOVED it! I have no idea how many times Reagan ended up jumping off the high dive, but I'm certain she'll be begging to go do it once the pools open again next year!

 Kennedy also went, but more because we encouraged her to go than because she really wanted to do it. She thought it was alright but wasn't nearly as excited about it as Reagan. She went off the high dive many times as well but for now prefers the low dive, which is great too!

Here are some videos of the girls jumping off the high dive (sorry for the super poor quality of these videos - I'm going to have to do something about that before Miss Reagan begins her gymnastics competitions...).
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The first video is of Missy K jumping off the high dive:
http://youtu.be/SL77P-aC2BY
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Missy K running off the high dive:
http://youtu.be/S5NHoSik_gY
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Missy Reagan running off the high dive:
http://youtu.be/wC2eeSV8AVw
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Missy Reagan going off the high dive backwards:
http://youtu.be/fjDyPagAaME 
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Missy Reagan flipping off the high dive:
http://youtu.be/hIxfJwKXYYg
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100%Mis   Way to go girls! Can't wait to see what tricks you learn next year! :)

Summer Fun at the Pool - 2013

We purchased Parks and Recreations Pool passes again this summer. Besides the girls taking two terms of swimming lessons we spent many mornings and afternoons at the various pools. Tates Creek is my favorite but the kids really love Southland and Woodland. We'll have to do our best to work in one or two more days this week since they'll close until next year after Labor Day weekend.

Jackson wasn't feeling cooperative for the group photo, but he was feeling pretty silly with my sunglasses. :)

This Shark, which Aunt Arla gave us (one of Lance's old swim toys), was a favorite all summer long

Before our good friends, the Meyers, moved away at the beginning of the summer we were able to work in one fun swim day with them. Here's everyone enjoying a snack together during one of the breaks.

 Maddie and Reagan are the same age and since we are in the same homeschooling co-op and Girl Scout troop we have participated in many of the same activities the past couple of years.

Missy K and Travis hanging out together - these two have been in several of the same pre-school classes

 Jackson and Travis are best buddies too, they're just a little more difficult to get a picture of together...

All the kids enjoyed the fountains at Tates Creek Aquatic Center again this summer, but Jackson especially got a kick out of them. I imagine it's partially because he isn't as proficient a swimmer as the bigger kids.

Sweet Maddie and silly Travis, working hard to swim while holding his breath and paddling above water. lol :)

Travis and Jackson were fascinated by a couple of June Bugs who were caught in the water. They would have me rescue them and then watch them as they dried off on the side of the pool.

McKinley with Ms. Kelly

 Sharing a towel

 and a good laugh 

 I guess that's what girlfriends are for! :) We miss you guys!

After Grammy and Grand-Dad came back from Alaska they spent some time with us in Kentucky. The pool is significantly easier with a Grammy to help! :)

Our primary swimming buddies for the summer were some of our neighbors and good friends. This picture was taken the first time we accidentally ran into them at the pool. I don't know how many days we spent with them at the pool afterwards but they were the BEST pool buddies ever! Their nanny, Abby, and I were able to split the big kids and little kids up which made it so much easier and fun for everyone! Sure hope this arrangement works out again next summer!

Mia riding the dolphin

What a smile! :)

Missy K loves turtles! :)

Sweet Miss Addison with Abby

Missy K in front of the play structure at Southland Aquatic Center

Having fun changing the flow of water

 Addison on the frog slide 

  Jackson discovered another way to enjoy a sunny afternoon at the pool 

 Such sweet friends

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I apologize for the quality of these videos. I'm not sure what I was doing wrong but the camera obviously wasn't focusing. I still wanted to share these videos of the girls jumping off the diving board and swimming since this was both a big accomplishment and major source of entertainment the latter half of the summer. Reagan is in the primarily pink swimsuit followed by Kennedy in the green swimsuit.

Reagan doing a "toothpick" jump

Kennedy demonstrating form like you've never seen it before - I think she looks a bit more like a helicopter getting ready to take off than a child jumping into a pool but hey, whatever works! :)

Reagan and Kennedy jumping together

Mia jumping off the diving board

Addison and Jackson weren't to be outdone by their big siblings they could jump in the pool too! Way to go Addison!

Jackson really had to concentrate before he was able to jump. I didn't manage to capture his full routine on tape which was to count (in any random order from 1-20 for quite an extended period of time) as well as the build up included in this video. Long story short, jumping into the pool was a pretty lengthy process for Mr. Jicky Jack. lol :)  

"I didn't bump my head!" Jackson and I had a difference of opinion as to where he should stand to safely jump into the pool...

Thank you to everyone for all the summer fun at the pool! :)



Anna's 6th Birthday - June TN Visit

In June we spent a week in Tennessee. The primary reason for our trip was to celebrate Anna's birthday. Even though we were there for nearly week it appears I only captured pictures from Anna's birthday and her birthday party, both of which were at the pool. We had a great time as always in Tennessee! This was a special visit for Reagan too because she stayed with the Stiriz's for a few extra days while the rest of us came back to Kentucky. Hard to believe she's old enough to leave places without us, kids grow too fast! :)

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Three sweet girls ready for the beach birthday party!

 The birthday girl and all her girlfriends at her beach party

 Ms. Debbie was sweet enough to keep up with McKinley while the big kids were in the pool

 Kelly made these adorable beach/ocean cupcakes. How cute are these?!?!?

 The birthday girl on the slide

 Chaz and Anna

 All the kids loved the slide, including Jackson

 The slide may  have been a bit wild for McKinley but she enjoyed this big lizard float :)

 I don't know what this float thing is called but it was a lot of fun for the kids to climb on and jump off

 All three of my kids loved playing with Wayne and he was such an awesome sport to keep up with them (and all the other little guys)!

 Just like the girls, Jackson loves the water! :)

 Jackson is enamored with his big buddy Chaz 

 This was a dangerous picture to take!

 Jackson got in on the action too!

 McKinley with her godparents, Charlie and Kelly

 All four of Charlie's Angels...

 Thank you everyone for such a great trip to Tennessee! Thank you especially to Kelly and Charlie for letting us stay with them for such an extended time and to Wayne and Ms. Debbie for letting us take advantage of their pool several times. We had so much fun Kennedy announced she wants her birthday (in November) to be at Mamaw and Pappy's house and pool. lol :) Thank you also to Kelly and Charlie for letting Reagan stay for several extra days. She had a fabulous time! Thanks for everything and we'll be looking forward to some more TN pool time next summer! :)