life lately

Last Saturday Andrew and I took Zara and Rupert to the batting cages for the first time.  We did slow pitch softball and of all the dozen coins I used only one.  They kept asking to go again so it was a success.  Beatrix even tried a little with Andrew's help part of of the time but she's not quire ready.

That morning Elliot returned from a week in Hawaii!  He went on a school trip and even got to spend time with the Manning family at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  Lucky guy.  It's so beautiful there.  He went with the jazz band but Heritage also had scholars form orchestra, piano, dance, and choir.

On the first day of spring Dairy Queen offers free cones.  This was our first time doing this.  It wasn't even that busy.  We did go right before dinner though. :)

On Saturday we also swam at the Brown's pool.  They are our next door neighbor who let us swim whenever.  We like to swim over spring break for the first time each year.  Yes the water was cold but Rupert and Zara earned a candy bar by jumping off the diving board and getting their whole body wet.  Bea came with us and went in half way which is impressive too.

I got Zara this swimsuit at the end of swum season last year so she is excited to finally be putting it to use.  Last year we were in CA over spring break.  We went to the beach, and yes it was cold, and we went to Disneyland and CA Adventure.  It was the best!  But it was nice keeping things more simple this year.
 

Butcher Jones

It's been a long time since we went to the lake!  We skipped last year with covid so I think it's been two years.  I gave Andrew a kayak for Christmas, very off season, so he's waited this long to give it a go.

He had one before but this one is inflatable and ended up being pretty quick getting it ready.  It was on the water the whole time as we all took turns taking it out on the water.  It's a two man but we squeezed three on for a couple trips. :)

The temperatures where just right.  Butcher Jones is a popular area so it got pretty busy by the time we left but there was plenty of space, especially in the water.  The water was on the cold side, just what to expect in April, but we still got in the water.  Maybe not all the way but it felt nice.

I gained some stress weight last year with quarantine/covid and made some bad eating habits so I'm getting used to this body.  I definitely feel better thinner but running regularly has helped.  Also loving my new swimsuit.  I've had several Jcrew swimsuits and they never disappoint.  Good fit, good quality.  This is the swimsuit I have now.

Above is right before we left, all those people.  Elliot and Rupert were working on a fortress made from rocks and sand right up until we left.

We look forward to taking the kayak out again!  We really could do with a couple more so our whole family could go out at the same time, or we could go down the river.  We'll see!

swimsuits and sprinklers

Andrew got off work extra early today to take the boys on a Fathers and Sons camping trip this weekend.  Rupert almost didn't go because he's had a stomach bug the last couple days but this morning he was doing much better.  This is Rupert's second time going and last time he really missed me and his home and bed.  I hope he does better this time!  Elliot is a pro.  This summer he turns 11 and will be an 11 year old scout and will love camping with the other scouts a couple times a year.  Good prep for Boy Scouts.

 I'm so glad I got to spend some time with my girlies while the boys camp!  The girls helped me pot some flowers for the front porch and wanted to cool off in the sprinklers afterwards.  They've recently watched the movie "Leap" about a ballerina and now they love making their own dance moves.  It's been a while since I've had the girls in any dance classes and I'm thinking I should sign them up again this summer!  They would love it.

 On the trampoline with the sprinklers they just danced to their heart's content.

 I love seeing how they express themselves.

 Dancing has never been something I've been comfortable doing.  I just don't like how my body moves and am very self conscious.  It's a good thing they inherited their dad's confidence in dancing. :)

We love these mix and match swimsuits from Kortni Jeane.  I have a few tops and bottoms too!  They are based in Utah but apparently they have a warehouse sale in Utah and AZ twice a year.  This is wear we got the swimsuits a month or so ago.  They're too pricey full price so I loved getting a good deal!  The girls would look cute in anything but I believe in investing in good swimwear.  It's when you show the most skin in public so quality and fit are important and these swimsuits are great!

Aren't they the sweetest?

Tonight their cousin Josie came over to spend the night.  They had a tea party, watched Ballet Shoes, styled their hair and did all things girly.  I hope Andrew takes some good pictures of the boys because I miss them. 

another tooth fairy visit

Today was the first day we used the family pass to go to a school pool.  Today it was Stapley Aquatic Center.  Half the time Rupert ran off needing freedom, and the other half he stayed close to me or insisted I hold him.  That's how he is at home too! :)

I got this swimsuit on sale and I love it.  Downeast swimsuits surprised me with their cute styles and quality this year.  I believe in investing in swimsuits you feel good in.  That way you don't mind about showing so much skin.

In other news Avery lost another tooth!  This time Elliot knocked a fort over and some piled up books knocked it out.  It was painful and bloody, and if it were left to Avery that tooth would have held on a few more weeks.  On the bright side she'll have another tooth fairy visit!

jcrew mail

Don't you just love getting packages in the mail?!

With our England trip in mind I've been doing a lot of online window shopping for winter clothes.

I came across this swimsuit and since it was on sale I decided to snatch it as an early birthday present.

Now I look forward to swimming next summer in my post-natal body!

a swimsuit love affair

Recently I've been looking for a good bathing suit. It has to have good support, the color needs to be flattering on me, as well as the style, and it must be modest. In my search I came upon these one piece swimsuits from jcrew and there's not a single one I don't love.

In fact, I have been drooling over their simple beauty.

My favorite is the teal one, and I think that's the color I'd pick too.

I'll just have to to save my pennies to buy it.