“Summertime, and the living is easy” – well maybe… Summer is here and things just keep moving. Sometimes it is a little difficult creating downtime.  Bryan and I still have jobs, and Rachel’s activities are ongoing (like 12+ hours a week of gymnastics practice).  Oh wait, and I have a 16 month old that needs me more everyday! Maybe I don’t know how to relax. No wait, I do – it’s called sleeping! Anyway, I think we are making the most out of summer. We are lucky to have several very nice swimming pools within walking distance of our house. I am including pictures of our first trip to the pool this year. We must have been exhausted, because everyone (except for Rachel, of course) took a nap! Actually, I strategically planned our time at the pool to overlap Sarah’s nap time so I could have some relaxation. Call me selfish, but mommy needs a break too!

At first, Sarah wasn’t so sure about the swimming pool, but she quickly grew to like it.  She played and splashed around a lot.  Fortunately, she still wants me very close.  I am sure that this phase will not last very long.  I think the only thing that keeps her close is the extreme heat of the concrete walks that surround the pool.  If you have never lived in Texas, you just couldn’t  imagine how hot concrete can get in the summer!!!  Two steps on that and Sarah quickly wants in my arms.

Aside from the pool, there have been  random things.  I took Sarah along to a party for one of Rachel’s friends.  She tried to follow the 8 year olds everywhere and almost took a nose dive into a creek, but otherwise she was pretty chill.  A pair of Rachel’s old sunglasses and some crackers and juice bought me about 10 minutes of sitting still time 🙂                                                             When Sarah relaxes, she really relaxes!

Bryan took Rachel to a little fishing tournament that our neighborhood sponsored.  She was perfectly decked out in her Bass Pro Shop clothing and had lots of fun.  Then, it started storming.     Ugh – an hour of fishing just is not enough!

Next up on the summer docket – more gymnastics, camps, and of course, visits to our families 🙂