May as well dive right in...

Yes, it's me! After taking the entire month of August off, I am back! I would like to pretend that this is something I did on purpose. Many European countries take August as a holiday, from what I understand. However, like George Washington, I cannot tell a lie. It is partly laziness and partly technical difficulties. Let me 'splain! No, too much. Let me sum up.

First I was sick, then the computer was sick, then school started and the kids and I all got sick. That's about the sum of it. I am still snorting and coughing, but I have run out of excuses, so I will start the long process of catching up. Whether or not I still have readers remains to be seen!

Timothy more or less learned to swim this summer. Sure, he forgets to come up for air now and then, but we're always there to help when he needs it. He couldn't have less fear of water if he had gills. He would have gladly spent the entire summer in the pool all day, had that option been offered! This video took forever to upload, and it won't play beyond the first 14 seconds for me, so you'll have to let me know if it plays for you. Also, I apologize in advance for the the swimsuit shots. If I could, I would edit out myself (and probably Dre, as well, since she'll probably murder me for posting this!)

I think this is video of Gabe diving. I can't watch it so I can't be sure. He is very comfortable in the water these days, and diving was a new skill for him this summer. The disclaimer on all Gabe footage is that I really do feed the child. He is the skinniest kid I've ever seen, although my mom assures me that he looks just like I did at his age. But in case anyone wondered, I do feed him daily, and he even gets ice cream and cookies, but he still never gains any weight. He's getting so tall, and yet he only weighs about ten pound more than he did when he was 4!

End of the year swim party

Gabe's school has an end-of-year swim party at the neighborhood pool every year. So far, every year we have gone (this was the third), it has been overcast and unseasonably cool on the day of the swim party. This year was no different. The kids didn't seem to mind, but there was NO WAY I was getting into that water! Ok, ok, maybe if one of my kids was in danger. And all the lifeguards had left their posts. And there was no other adult closer. I wore my swim suit just in case, but none of the above happened, so I didn't have to get into the that frigid water this year!

Timothy enjoyed the kiddie pool, until he noticed that there was an even bigger body of water nearby.

Then, of course, he wanted to get in with his brother. Here, Zoe and Gabe are helping Timothy swim in the big pool. Have I mentioned that I love Zoe?

Gabe's best buddy, Aidan, showed up after a while, and he and Gabe enjoyed avoiding girl cooties together. Although, I'm pretty sure chlorine kills girl cooties.

Brotherly love at its finest!