Construction Partners

Westin is clearly more enthusiastic than Jade, though she did get all the gear on herself.  I just caught her in a bad moment.

CA State Fair 2012

 

We continued our tradition of atteding the CA State Fair this year.  The kids were terrified of rides, so we didn't participate there.  It was hot, as always,  The kids loved looking at the animals and all the displays.  Wes was active with them, but I took a seat whenever I could...not feeling well.  It is always fun watching these two take everything in, and they loved the corn dog and cotton candy. 

 I love the picture of Westin looking at the fake turkey.  Wes and I look at it every once in a while just for a laugh.

Westin, Jade, and I rode the Monorail.  Jade was totally freaked out to get on it, but once on she did fine.  Westin loved the view. 

 

Westin and Jade "Diving" Video

Jade Swimming Video Age 2.5

Westin Swimming Video Age 4

Westin in Swimming Lessons

I was hoping to stick a video on here of Westin's swim lessons, but the only videos are from Wes's iphone and they don't easily upload.  Anyone have any tips for this?  

Westin took swimming lessons this year.  Several friends had highly recommended his teacher, Kate, from church.  It was a semi-private lesson and was ideal for Westin.  He wasn't terribly enthusiastic,and the new environment scared him.  He loves our walk-in clubhouse pool and is totally comfortable in it, so it was good to push his comfort level a little.  He learned the basics:  blowing bubbles, floating, keeping legs straight while kicking, etc.  By the end of the 2 weeks he was comfortable touching the bottom (of the shallow end), and swimming a short distance.  Westin tried to negotiate with his teacher at times with, "Can I not bubble this time?" or "Can I touch this bottom (while pointing to the pool step)?"  She would just say no and then he would do what she asked.  He is definately an apprehensive child at times.  Westin also liked to compare himself to animals while at lessons.  His teacher loved animals when she was little and so she thought all his details about different animals were fun.  One of his comparisons was to a poison snail, which he learned about on NOVA.  The deadly cone snails, found in tropical waters, shoot out these little poisonous harpoons that can kill you in several hours.  Homeland security actually studied them as bioweapons.  Ahh the things we learn from having kids.  Fortunately not everything is useless, like these cone snail fun facts. 

Memorial Day Camping in Capitola

 

 This year we got a last minute invite to go camping Memorial Day weekend at New Brighton Beach in Capitola, just south of Santa Cruz.  This was the perfect location for camping.  Our campsite was surrounded by giant coastal trees and the beach was a just over the cliff.  The weather was great, the kids loved it, and Wes and I had a great time too!