Summer Fun #3 - Swimming Lessons (Week 2) and This and That

I started working summer school on Tuesday so Shane pretty much had the boys to himself during the day. Camden had his second week of swimming lessons, where he showed great improvement. He learned how to float on his back (which he still needs some practice with) and also learned how to do the back stroke.

He LOVES swimming

Camden received more stickers this week

During the week, Shane had Camden exercising (which he loves to do) and of course Casen had to join in. Casen, with his Buddha belly, surprised Shane with how well he could plank.

Here are some other pics from 'the boys' week together. 

Casen and his 'kissy' face

Casen posing in his new Crocs

Casen looking like a bank robber

Camden reading to Casen - too sweet!

And So It Begins - T-Ball

Since Camden has played soccer for the past year, which he loves and will continue to play, we decided to let him choose between basketball or T-ball to play during the summer. Since he had a hard time throwing a basketball up eight feet in the air, he and his daddy decided on T-ball. Shane got Camden signed up to play and he volunteered to be an assistant coach. Shane then headed to Academy where he bought Camden all the necessary equipment to play the game, including a tee, a bucket of balls, a new glove, new pants (since they are supplying the shirt and hat), a new bat and a batting glove.

Shane and Camden have been practicing baseball in the front yard for the past year and Camden is used to Shane pitching to him, so he is now learning to adjust to hitting off of a tee. They have been practicing hitting and catching in preparation for his summer league.

He is playing with a league called I-9 sports. The nice thing about this for the summer is that they have practice first thing Saturday morning and then have their game right after, so we are basically done by 10:15. The not so nice thing about this is it is 3 and 4 year old's, which makes it very interesting. It seems the four year old's are fine being there and love to run and chase the ball or hit it off the tee, but the three year old's just stand there and cry or throw a fit when their parents try to get them to play. Even though this season is only six weeks long, I have a feeling it is going to seem like it is a lot longer.

My little T-ball player

They play where the boys hit the ball and then just run to first. Every player gets a bat and the last player that bats gets to run all the way to home plate. Then the other team does the same. Depending on how long it takes, the boys either get to bat once or twice.

Batter up

Headed to third base

Posing for his momma

Shane and Camden 

Camden did great today and hit the ball very well. It seems as though he and his Daddy's hard work and practice are paying off!

Summer Fun #2 - Swimming Lessons, Ice Cream, and Snakes

This week Camden started his first of two weeks of swimming lessons. He does pretty good in the water, however we really wanted him to gain a better confidence with his swimming. We registered him at the YMCA, where he had swimming lessons with one teacher and two other boys. He did really well and by the end of the week he had learned to swim unassisted for about 10 to 15 feet and then he was able to jump in the water and swim back to the side unassisted.

Excited on his first day

Day 2 and he decided to use goggles.

At the end of the week, his teacher gave him stickers
for his chart showing what he accomplished

On Monday I had taken Camden to the local library where they are doing science experiments every Monday to teach the kiddos different aspects of Science. This Monday it was making ice cream, YUM! Despite us arriving almost 30 minutes early for this experiment, they only allowed in 100 kids and we were number 105 in line. Luckily they gave us the information regarding the lesson they were going to teach along with the recipe they were using. So on Tuesday I went to the grocery store and bought the needed ingredients so the boys could make their own ice cream. They thought it was great fun and loved eating the results!

Shake, shake, shake

Yummy ice cream

On Thursday, Clint,the 'Snake Man', was at another local library, so I took the boys to see all the different snakes he had. Both Camden and Casen were to scared to touch the snakes, although Camden liked to look at them (unlike Casen he only wanted to look at the turtle because the snakes were 'too scary').

Camden loved seeing the snakes

Casen liked to look at the turtle

Camden posing with the snake
which was too big to get in the picture

And of course Camden has been wanting to test out his new swimming skills, so Friday we took them to the neighborhood pool where they had great fun swimming.

Summer Fun #1 - Sea World and Grandma and Grandpa's

Since school is out, it is time for us all to have a little fun! This year, Sea World had a promotion where teachers could get a year pass for free and Pre-School kids could do the same. Since Casen is under three, he is free, so that meant we could all go to Sea World and only have to pay for my ticket. Sounded like a reasonable deal to me, especially since I LOVE theme parks! So on Thursday after I had my yearly girly appointments, we headed to Kerrville to stay with my parents. On Friday we got up and headed to Sea World in San Antonio. We rented a double stroller so that we could push the boys around and headed to see all the shows and attractions. Our first stop was Shamu Express, a roller coaster for kiddos. 

Next stop, the carousel. Casen was too chicken to ride an actual horse, so he and Shane rode in a seated area on the carousel.

We then stopped to watch the Sesame Street Gang preform a show. Afterwards, we took a picture with Grover and Abby.

Our next stop was to visit the penguins. The boys loved watching them dive in the water and swim.

Now it was show time! 'One Ocean' was a show with Shamu and other killer whales. We made sure to avoid the splash zone because Camden did not want to get wet.

We then headed to see the seals. I just love those guys. They seem to always have so much personality!

Camden then decided it was time for another ride. This time, Daddy got to ride it with him. Camden thought it was really fun!

Our next stop was 'Cannery Row Caper' which had sea lions, otters and a walrus. It was a funny show and kept the boys entertained.

We left that show and headed over to my favorite, 'Azul'. It features beluga whales, dolphins, macaw parrots, and neat aquatic acrobats. 

By the time we did all of that it was around 4:15. Everyone had done and seen what they wanted to do. Last stop though, was the souvenir shop. Casen took no time at all picking out exactly what he wanted, and Camden was not too far behind. For Casen a dolphin and Camden, Shamu.

Their final Sea World picture.

It was not too long at all before the boys were out.

On Saturday we pretty much just hung out at Grandma and Grandpa's house playing and swimming. Great Grandma Key came over so she could spend a little time with us all. As always, it was so good to see her.

On Saturday evening we went bat watching - if
you look closely you will see one on the
 middle right side of the picture.

Today was Father's Day and I was glad to be able to spend it with my two favorite Dads - mine and my children's! I am fortunate that my boys have a great man in their life that they call Dad, just as I do.