Swimming Lessons, Again!

We just ended another session of swim lessons at our community outdoor pool.

Noelle has passed all the levels, so she just gets more practice everyday, which is not a bad thing at all.  Her butterfly is looking great and her lack of speed in the freestyle is improving.  She needs her stamina built up and this daily practice is surely helping.

Zane shocked me the most.  He was actually swimming by today's last class.  He even jumped off the diving board and swam to the ladder unassisted!  I was blown away that he accomplished this at only four years of age.  I know that children who have backyard pools and that are able to swim all the time learn earlier, but we do not have that.  So, his ability surprised me!

Violette also became a more confident and skilled swimmer proving that she was able to go the distance!  Her freestyle is starting to look great, and her backstroke really is improving.

Max worked hard and also improved.  He almost has his dive down and is working very hard on his butterfly stroke.  He was lucky to be the only student in his class and therefore received private lessons the entire time!  That one on one time is so valuable learning such an important skill.

The kids enjoyed themselves so much that we signed up for another two week session, starting Monday.  It's a fun way to start the day, they are improving daily, and it's an important skill to have, so it's definitely worth it!

Traverse City Summer 2015

We made it out onto Lake Michigan, finally, this past weekend.  Saturday's weather was gorgeous, sunny with a light breeze and an abundance of fluffy floating clouds.  It amazes me, the clearness of the water and the colors that a fresh water lake produces.  They rival Caribbean beauty.  

My Mom is having a full knee replacement on Aug 5th and we wanted to spend time with her before she would be out of commission.  What better way to spend quality time, than on the Lake?!

Our first stop after leaving the harbor, and letting the children drive the boat, was a small ship wreck.  The children had been talking about finally being good enough swimmers to jump in and explore the wreck from above.  Alex and I jumped in first, after some searching, and the kids followed suit.  The water was a bit chilly, almost shocking!  Noelle and Max were surprised by the temperature and immediately began to squeal out!  Once calmed down they stuck their faces in, and look down about 25 ft.  There was the wreck staring up at them.  Max freaked.  Full out freak situation occurred.  He spazed and splashed and yelled out.  The depth of the water, the visual of seeing the wreck, the unknown of what was lurking below all contributed to his meltdown.  Violette and Zane jumped in, but shortly after witnessing Max's unravel, they swim back to the boat.  It took some convincing, but Noelle finally calmed down and was able to swim above the wreck with her face submerged.  Her face lit up upon viewing it!  

The water was a bit choppy to get a clear image, but here is one from a few years ago:

We soon anchored the boat and began searching for driftwood, playing on shore, and swimming in the crystal clear waters for hours on end.  It was a great day on the lake and by the time we drive the boat back, Zane had fallen asleep in the cabin and the other's were barely hanging on to their awakeness.  

 We were thankful that we got to spend such a warm, sunny, and wonderful day out on the fabulous Lake Michigan!  

Sum, Sum, SUMMER!!!

The sun is out, the temperatures are elevated, the glasses are full and family visits are abundant.  It's summer time in Michigan!

Growing up in Northern Michigan means that the Southern Summer does not compare.  One does not just replace pristine Lake Huron waters with inlake lakes.  You cannot compare population size without choking on your Jack n' Coke.  Although it's not comparable, Southern Michigan does has it's perks, like, job security (lol!) and we have found amazing connections with our neighbors that enable us to have many get togethers, sporadic and planned thought the summer.  I can be found a lot of days on my porch laughing with friends as our children run amuk around the hood.  

One lovely advantage we have is my Aunt Shawn's Lake Columbia lot.  It's a 20 min drive to an open lot for the the children to run into and swim and we've definitely taken advantage of it!  Not complaining at all!  

Well, it's agreed upon, Northern Michigan is freakin' awesome in the summer, but we've had our fair share of enjoyment down here and it started at the end of June with the Annual Roehrig Family Gathering to celebrate Grandpa Roehrig's Birthday and Father's Day which was the last weekend of June.  The day was weather perfect, warm, but not too hot and the sun shining bright above.  We ate, talked, and played, and had another great gathering. 

We took Max's bow (my old one, in great shape still.  One that I used to outshoot all the boys with) and we was finally able to shoot it.  Uncle Larry was right there to offer advice!  It was a pretty cool moment in my little 7 year old's life! 

Another highlight was a crop duster that flew right over the house.  All the children a most of the adults scampered outside to watch it zoom back and forth over the house.  Farmland was not abundant where I grew up, so it was pretty cool to see so close! 

Next up was July 4th.  The red, white and blue Holiday was spent at my sister's house this year.  We had no plans, they had no plans, so we decided to stay away from the Northern heading traffic and drive to Ortonville for a night.  We arrived Friday afternoon and stayed until Saturday evening.  Charlotte is fortunate to have a beautiful chunk of property and despite the bugs, we spent most of the time outside!  

Tom, Mike, and five children even slept in a tent for the night!  Yeah, I'm shocked too.  It was a fun idea, one we all thought that would never last, but they made it all night!  Charlotte and I decided the house was much more appealing than a tent.  This was my children's (and Maizey's) first time ever tenting it for a night, big deal, and great memories!  

Tom snuck away and purchased a Red Rider BB gun for the children to have (supervised) fun with with.  Max was in heaven.  Max was on cloud nine.  Noelle, Violette, and Zane enjoyed shooting too. 

Campfire, s'mores, fireworks, sparklers, it was a day filled with everything summer related!  

Ok, so the tent was lined with four twin mattress (not blown up ones, real ones) and plenty of blankets and pillows, so I use the term "tent camping" very loosely.  

I'm not sure how it happened, but my foursome all had Fourth of July themed shirts to where the next day, and did wear them, but no picture of it exists.  I did get pictures of their fun on the slip and slide my mom bought for the children! 

By the time we packed and left for home the children were worn out.  We arrived home, bathed and tucked the children in bed early for a 4th of July night (before 9pm) but they were all so exhausted and completely covered in mosquito bites!  Outside, it sounded like a complete war zone with so many fireworks going off to the left, and the right.  The children NEVER woke up once (a small boom of thunder sends the all to our room, frequently).  It was a great way to spend the 4th! 

The next weekend Alex decided, kind of last minute, to come spend the weekend with us!  Needless to say, the children and I, and of course, Tom, were over the moon about getting some quality time with Alex.  We took a quick trip to Lake Columbia, went to the movies, and just hung out with our favorite 23 year old!  

Next up, Max attended a mad scientist camp put on by our local ISD.  For the low price, the all day (9 to 3pm) camp, they went on field trips, did many experiments, had lunch, went out to ice cream, the list seemed endless of the information and experiences crammed into the five days!  I was very impressed.  Max also made the front page of the Adrian Daily Telegram! He was pretty stoked about his new fame!  

I have working on another post.  A post that contains my new favorite thing made for me by the hands of my talented and gifted father....I can't seem to photograph the item to my liking.  The lighting never seems right to highlight it's beauty.  In due time. 

That's all for now.  This week I am teaching Vacation Bible School for a large group of very tiring 3 and 4 year olds!  

Enjoy each day of summer.  Get out, talk to neighbors, talk a walk, shoot some hoops, take a dip, indulge in an ice cream cone, live a little!