Summer Fun, Continued

When we got to swim lessons on Tuesday, we were told that due to the indoor swimming area getting painted, the lesson would be held outdoors.

It was VERY hard to focus on the teachers' instructions when there was so much fun going on nearby.

Maverick was everywhere and since we'd planned on being indoors for the lesson, we didn't come prepared with swimsuits for the rest of the family.

Phoebe likes to go to the pool.  She loves to play in the water.  However, she does NOT like going under water or getting her head wet.  Learning to float on her back was therefore not a priority.

But she loosened up and even kicked and blew a bubble or two.

Silly fish.

Thursday, lessons were back inside and much more manageable.  Maverick, however, had no desire to be contained - so he and I suited up and headed to the outdoor pool area.  The aquatic center is open till 8:00 Thursday - Saturday so after her lesson ended at 7:00, she and Daddy joined us outside.  Note the stylish Cinderella tatoo that refuses to come off despite hours in the pool (thank you, Auntie!).

Preparing to jump into the water (this is HUGE, folks!!!).

This little guy was getting hungry AND sleepy (as he should have been since it was almost 8:00).  Phoebe, on the other hand, could have stayed till 10:00!

Friday, we ran a few errands with Auntie Kate.  Here are a few snapshots of some fun we had in Hobby Lobby!

Once Ryan arrived home, we packed up the van and headed to Cincinnati.  You can see in the mirror Maverick is asleep.  We strategically kept him awake so he'd get a good nap in on our way east.  And that meant Phoebe could watch a movie in peace!

Our first stop, Bass Pro Shop.

These kiddos LOVE tents!  I have a feeling camping is in our future!

Phoebe's face says it all: it's time to go!!!

But not before one more tent!

And a few boats.

Hey Sissy, you gonna let me sit there?

Even Auntie Kate tried one out!

And an ATV...

Then we had dinner.   Not too sure Auntie Kate will want to dine out with the Wallis clan anytime soon.  With a whiny 4-year old and uncontainable 15-month old, it was not a casual, relaxing, dining experience.

We made it to the hotel around 8:30 and I think by 10:30 everyone was fast asleep.  Luckily, our suite had two separate rooms but I think everyone was up and at 'em before 8:00.  It was a cloudy, rainy day in Ohio so we skipped the pool and headed straight for Jungle Jim's - the world's largest grocery!

The talking corncob was not a hit with our kids so we opted to pass on the $5/person store tour.

There was plenty to see, smell and taste!

We had to stop and smell the feta!

Ryan found some gigantic Diet Dew cans!

Once back in the car, Maverick noshed on some pilfered Apple Jacks from the morning's continental breakfast at the hotel. 

They went EVERYWHERE.

And once we got to Ikea, it wasn't too long before we made this makeshift bed so we could shop in peace!  It only lasted 30 minutes but it was divine!

And we stayed for lunch and Maverick sampled their famous Swedish meatballs and showed off his latest skill - feeding himself with a utensil.

Such a big boy - but you can see in his eyes he was ready for nap number two (which he promptly took once we loaded back into the van with all our Ikea finds and headed home)!



It's hard to believe this is our last week with Auntie Kate before she heads back to Pennsylvania.  Here's to lots more memories in the days ahead!