Phoebe takes the diving board

I swear we were at the pool for at least six hours today, between swim practice and recreational swimming. It was hot this afternoon, so we went to the pool and friends kept coming and wouldn't stop coming (to loosely quote Smash Mouth), which made it rather hard for us to make an exit. At one point we had about a dozen kids from swim team at the pool (most of the homeschoolers, too). 

They played Wax Museum, Go/Go/Go/Stop, What Time is it Mr. Shark, Sharks and Minnows, Refrigerator, and all kinds of things. Sometimes my kids were among the youngest there—and Benjamin and Zoë were particularly delighted when some older (more teenager-y) friends ordered a pizza, had it delivered at the pool, and then offered a slice when they realized they wouldn't finish. Other times Benjamin was the oldest one there and was delighted that he was the uncatchable one during Sharks and Minnows (because that wasn't the case when the older swimmers were at the pool). 

Phoebe got bored of it just being me and her in the shallow end and requested to play in the deep end. She has never done this before. She likes to stay where she can touch if she needs to (if only on her tippy-tippy toes) and we've had to coax and encourage her to believe that her swimming skills are the same in any depth of water (if you can swim in 4 feet of water you can swim in 10 feet of water...or 40 feet of water...or whatever). She hasn't yet willingly gone to the deep end this summer, but today she did. 

The kids were having a diving contest and she decided she wanted to participate. 

"Sure, you can go off the diving board..." I told her, though I didn't believe she would.

She has always chickened out before (or has needed a lot of assistance to make it off the end of the board—like, having me lower her down while someone catches her at the bottom). Not today!

Today she walked right out there and jumped in the pool. She pulled herself up to a floating position on the surface of the water and started swimming to me like a champ!

And then proceeded to do it about a dozen more times!

Here's a video Benjamin took (while the teenagers were eating pizza, and before pizza was offered to Benjamin):

She did great today! 

And then she was moved to play in the 3 feet zone with the kids when they were playing Wax Museum and things instead of staying in the 2.5 feet zone where she's played the past few years. 

Soon she won't need me in the pool at all! What will I do without a baby to play with at the pool?!

I'll have to start...swimming laps again...or something...

Nothing personal

While Rachel and Miriam have been "across the pond," we've been having a fine time here at home.

On Monday morning last week, Zoë came home from swim team practice and immediately began making cookies. She's determined to learn how to bake...and whipped up some delicious oatmeal raisin cookies...while wearing an apron over her still-damp swimming suit. 

No Kings Protest

It's been a while since we've joined in a protest. 

And today just felt like a good day to protest. 

Today while Israel bombed Iran and Iran bombed Israel. Today while we waited to hear anything from anyone in Gaza. Today while a manhunt is underway for an assassin who shot and killed Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband (and made an attempt on the lives of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife and had a list of several other targets).

And that's just today (let alone the past few weeks). 

So we decided that we should show up, be counted, and make our voices heard. Even if all we were doing was screaming into the void...it was nice to do it together for a little while.

The kids helped make signs in the morning. I didn't know what to write on my first sign (there is so much—too much), so I settled on "UGH" and let Phoebe scribble on it.

Swimmer of the week and pool drain discoveries

The kids were worried about what Fun Friday would look like after our cancelled swim meet last night. No ribbons! No speed breaker splash-the-coach privileges! Would they even give out "swimmer of the week" awards?

Yes, they do! Because look who's the swimmer of the week—it's Alex! He was selected because he's always willing to help set up and take down lane lines. 

Cancelled Swim Meet

These are the faces of some very disappointed children whose swim meet got cancelled this evening: 

I don't believe it! I'm [on page 24] of a magazine!

I had a dentist appointment this morning and when I walked into my exam room (following the dental assistant), I was shocked to find the room full of people. My dentist waved a magazine in the air. 

"I didn't know you were famous!!" she squealed.

Everyone clapped...and then dispersed and went about their business.

It was very embarrassing. Our dentist is...a really fun and wonderful person.

"My daughter went to UGA so I get this magazine! And I was reading it and I was like, 'I know her!' I highlighted your name and everything! It's just too bad that you're not showing your beautiful smile..."

Honestly, I'm a little crushed that of all the pictures the photographer took of me that is the one that they decided on...but...you know...whatever...it's fine. 

I had no idea my picture was in there! I saw the online copy that did not have my picture, so I was as surprised as anybody to see my face in a magazine! The copy with my face is also online, but in a different place. I only looked for it after I saw the magazine, which my dentist let me read (but not keep because she's keeping it).

And then tonight one of Andrew's colleagues at BYU (who was previously at UGA) emailed him a picture of that very same spread! So I really am famous now, I guess.

Flying to London and Fireflies

On Sunday afternoon, Rachel, Miriam, Grandpa, and Darla piled into Grandpa's car to head to the airport. Andrew was their chauffeur. 

They made it to London without a hitch...except for the fact that their accommodations fell through. 

Benjamin's 13!

Benjamin celebrated his birthday at camp this year—along with two other boys. Their camp leaders threw a little party for the three of them, complete with cake and candles. The highlight of Benjamin's time at camp was canoeing on the lake. He's also proud of the fact that they put four kids in a ten-man tent and stuffed ten kids on a two-man canoe—getting all into the stats side of thing. 

He was a little bummed that he missed the last swim meet (especially since Zoë did so well and he didn't get any ribbons at Fun Friday...because...well...he didn't swim), but he's excited that he gets to try swimming an IM at this coming meet (that's and "individual medley," where he'll swim butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle).

We opened presents after Fun Friday (so Benjamin is in his swimming suit). Phoebe wanted to have the best seat in the house right beside the birthday boy. And is she still in her pyjamas? Why, yes, she is! 

Recent Snippets

While helping Phoebe get dressed this morning...

Phoebe: I love my Harry Potter shirt.

Me: I love you!

Phoebe: Oh. And I...love my Harry Potter shirt.

*****

Yesterday while we were playing Ticket to Ride, Phoebe (who was playing with extra train pieces from Mexican Train so she felt included) picked at a mosquito bite and made it bleed. Andrew got a bandaid for her. After he put it on she was still sitting there with her little lip quivering. 

"Will it feel better by...the day after tomorrow?" she finally cried. 

*****

Zoë wore a bracelet to church yesterday and Phoebe decided she needed it in the middle of sacrament meeting. This conversation took place in very passionate (on Phoebe's part) and very annoyed (Zoë) whispers...

Phoebe: Is that bracelet for me?

Zoë: Ummm…no. It’s for me. 

Phoebe: How can you be sure?

Zoë: Well…it’s on my arm, so…

Phoebe: Then it could be for me. 

Zoë: Not really. 

Phoebe: But maybe...

*****

Alexander: *playing a song on the recorder on repeat* 

Zoë: Ugh. Is Jingle Bells the only song you know!?

Alexander: No.

Zoë: …

Alexander: This is Mary Had a Little…

Zoë: UGH!

Auntie K pointed out that if he'd learn Baa, Baa, Black Sheep he could also answer that he was playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or the alphabet song. And Uncle David pointed out that Jingle Bells and Mary Had a Little Lamb are really quite similar tunes, so if he can play one he could probably learn the other without too much trouble.

More swimming news

As we suspected Zoë had quite a few ribbons waiting for her at Fun Friday this morning. Uncle Patrick asked if she had robbed the ribbon giver—but, no! These ribbons were all hard-earned!

Early this afternoon Benjamin opened his birthday presents (more on that later), but we also got fun packages for most of the other kids that I felt kind of bad giving to them, considering we're technically celebrating Benjamin...but there the packages were nonetheless.