More Pool Time

Over the past couple weeks we have had a few chance to go to the pool.  The boys absolutely love the pool time so we are a little disappointed that summer is coming to an end and the pools are closing, even though it is still hot enough to use them.

The past few times at the pool have been interesting because Anders is wanting to be more independent in the water and he doesn't want to be held.  So, we have started putting a floaty on him and then he is very happy to squirm/kick his way around the pool.  He loves splashing and floating and it is so fun to watch him enjoy the pool so much.  It also makes me happy because he is taking to the water so much better than Alden!  It has always been a struggle to get Alden to want to learn how to swim but Anders seems to take to it very easily.  Anders doesn't care if he gets water in his mouth or splashed in the face, whereas Alden would have been having a meltdown if either of those happened to him when he was Anders' age. It is fun to see them play in the pool together now and I love how much fun we have together.

It is so cute watching them play together.

Anders loves playing on the stairs with his brother and he loves splashing around in the water while he sits on the top step.

We always have to bring snacks to the pool because, without fail, one of the kids will get hungry while we are there.

Two Saturdays ago we took the boys to the water park on base.  They both had tons of fun and were happy to have Daddy there to play with them too!

Anders enjoyed sitting and eating his snack with Daddy.

Alden had a great time crawling around the little baby pool, as usual.  The boys also loved the lazy river and big pool but I don't have pictures of those because I was enjoying playing in the water with them!

Last Saturday we took the boys to the pool at our apartment complex one last time before it closes for the summer.  Anders had a great time playing with Daddy.

Drew helped him float and get comfortable in the water for a little while.

But, soon Anders was all ready to kick around on his own again.  He loves the pool and water so much and it is so cute to watch.

Here is a short little video of Anders trying to kick and figure out how to move around the pool.

We have loved the pool time this summer and it has definitely been a big perk of living somewhere so hot.  However, I would still like to be somewhere that is not quite as hot, but still warm enough where we could enjoy pool time.  But, either way we are glad for all the time that we have had to swim, play and explore in the pools.

Mommy and Son Outings

The past couple weeks Alden, Anders and I have had fun going out on a few little outings.  First we went to the zoo and had a great time seeing tons of active animals and we really enjoyed the cooler weather that comes when a storm is coming in.  Alden had a great time looking at all the animals and telling me what kinds of animals they were.  I am always impressed with how much Alden knows about different animals but I am sure a lot of it comes from how much he loves Zoboomafoo and Wild Kratts.

We also had a lot of fun going to a few different parks when the weather was cooperating and we could get out early enough to avoid the heat.  The kids love any excuse to be outside and so the playground is always a great, easy outing for us.  I will be so glad when the weather cools down and we can go to the playground more frequently.

Alden wanted to look for lizards on the trees in the zoo as soon as we got there. 

It was not crowded at all when we went to the zoo for this visit and the kids had a great time.

Anders, Alden and I all really enjoyed that the koala was awake and moving around while we were there.

Anders loved watching the koala climb down the tree and run around it's enclosure.

I seriously love koalas!

The boys loved sitting in these rocking chairs together near the koala enclosure.

Alden actually got to see one of the bears walking around, which made him very excited.

The otters were super active while we were there, which Alden loved.

Alden was perfectly content to sit and watch the otters for quite awhile.

Before we went to the zoo this time I asked Alden what he wanted to see most while we were there and he said a monitor lizard.  He was very excited to see one.

Alden loved watching this snake slither around and try to climb up the glass.

These lizards were actually moving around quite a bit and Alden loved watching them.

Alden loved watching this giant water snake move around.

Another one of the snakes that Alden was excited to see.

The boys were super excited that I let them go on the carousel while we were there.  They were both super happy to be on it.

Anders did not want me touching him but they had no straps and I still don't trust him to sit up on the animal by himself so he had to put up with Mommy staying very close to him the whole time.

He was so happy!  This pretty much shows how it was for the whole ride.  We had an awesome time at the zoo and loved the time together!

Sesqui Playground

I took the boys to a different playground at the state park and that had a great time there before we went over to the splash pad that is also there.

Alden loves the slides, just like almost every kid.

It was so cute watching Alden try to help his brother reach the steering wheel without falling.

Alden loves to climb everything and go everywhere on the play structure now that he is bigger.

So, of course, his brother wants to try and follow even though he is too little.

The playground at the state park is near a lake so we went and looked at the lake and all the ducks before we headed over to the splash pad.

Playground on Base

We went to the park on base another day, and Anders was very determined to try and climb up the slide, like his brother.

Anders loves the slides way more than his brother did at this age.

He is perfectly happy going down the slide over and over again.

Alden enjoyed trying to help his brother spin on this little thing.

Both boys enjoy exploring the whole playground together while we are there.  They love that there are three different play structures to explore and keep them busy.

I love my little boys and I love our park and play time that we get together!

We all love our outings together and I am so grateful that I have the ability to stay home with them and enjoy all these experiences and everyday moments together!  I love the joy they bring to my life and I am so glad that I am their mom!