Joyful Moments

Here's a pic with the girls and their good, good friends who are moving to Italy. What's up with kids and noses?!?

Some really enjoyable moments this summer:

-- Going to the zoo as a family. Anytime we can do something as a family, it is so great. So many times Nate has to work, so when he can be with us, it is so fun and relaxing (especially because I'm not the only adult!) Last time we were there the gibbons were making a lot of raucous. Here is a video I took because I thought kids would enjoy it.






--Going to Sunset Beach last weekend. While Nate was meeting with someone for business, the girls and I played in the water and had so much fun. We were giggling and chasing each other and getting pushed and pulled by the shore break. I felt pure joy playing with my daughters.

--The last two nights. For the first time since who knows when, I went to sleep in the evening and didn't wake up til the morning. And for those who have been tracking Elysse, that means she didn't either.

--Making bread with a biga. I have always loved baking bread. Lately I have been experimenting making bread with a sponge starter. The loaves have tasted really good -- kind of like French bread.

--Watching my seedlings grow. I planted tons of seeds in our garden: broccoli, tomato, pepper, spices, onion, lettuce, beets, and peas. I love watching them grow, and at the same time I wonder when I will actually replant them so they can survive, and I hope they will actually produce for us.

--Slowing down. I have been working on living life a lot slower since Elysse was born and I have loved the results. I enjoy life more, enjoy my children and my husband more, and don't worry (too much) about certain things anymore.

--Teaching swim lessons. I LOVE teaching swimming. I think it's the same reason I love to teach people to surf. I am teaching people to love the medium I love most in life: Water. So I have been teaching Kezia and Ivy's age group to swim. We have been having swim lessons at our friend's building, which has a much nicer pool than ours, complete with bathrooms and shade (yeah, ours doesn't have those "luxuries") and a HOT TUB! Lovin' it.

I love watching the kids learn and gain confidence. Yesterday the kids were so anxious to show me the cool things they learned to do in the water since the last class. And they say and do such funny things, like when I asked a girl to make big arm circles, and she put her pointer fingers and thumbs together to make the biggest circle she could. I have been impressed with the kids' willpower to make goals and reach them. I thought making goals would help them with learning to swim and I bribe them with their choice of treats from a treasure box that they can pick from after they reach their goal. They all choose lofty goals, and reach them!