Summertime Swimtime

These two are very excited because we decided to join the Charlotte YMCA for the summer. There are at least 6 outdoor pools we can go to in our area and even more indoor ones.

Here's Benny demonstrating his swim stroke. I'm so happy we finally got the boys these swim shirts. Saves me time putting on sunscreen and saves them from burning.

Another great thing about going to the pool is that our good friends, the Molskness family, can meet us there. They joined the same day as us.

The sweet girls, Addy and Norah. They passed a swimming test to get the green bands around their necks. This means they can go anywhere in the pool without adults.

Here are all the boys. Jackson has since got a green band and Aaron a yellow. The yellow enables him to be in the shallow water without an adult and go down the slides.

The girls getting ready to go down the slides.

This week and last, the kids have been taking semi-private swim lessons. This was another reason we joined the Y.

Benny is very close to a yellow band but he's still working on his swimming distance.

The kids are loving all this swimming and these girls are doing a great job teaching them.

Greenville, SC Trip

Sunday we drove 2-3 hours to Table Rock State Park near Greenville, SC.

After a picnic lunch, we started our hike but got distracted by these falls along the creek.

We took the Carrick Creek Trail, a 2 mile loop.

There were 2 stops along the way where you could slide down the waterfalls. This was the kids favorite part!

The scenery was beautiful and so was the weather. Even the 90s don't feel hot when you're soaking wet.

This little waterfall was near the beginning of the trail. It was just the kids size with a sand bottom pool.

Benny's about to jump off the rock into water up to his chest. On our way out of the park we got drenched by a random downpour.

After the park we went to the hotel to swim and ordered pizza for dinner.

After some pool time we went to downtown Greenville and had dessert at Funneldelicious, a funnel cake place. Aaron ended up puking before the night was over from too much junk food and swimming right after.

Monday morning after breakfast, we went to the Greenville Zoo with our passes.

We got there right when they opened so there weren't many people and it wasn't too hot.

Addy loves all cats so the cheetahs were her favorite.

On the way home we passed by Gaffney's peach watertower shown on Netflix's House of Cards.

Beatin' the Heat

Yesterday we visited the botanical gardens in Charlotte. We wanted to see an African sculpture exhibit that is leaving soon.

This time Josh got to come with us. His favorite part is learning the names of everything. This is a Giant Corpse Flower. When it blooms, it's smells like rotting flesh!

Joyce and I took the kids to the Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC on Friday.

We got in FREE with our pass, of course.

Jackson's favorite area had tons of bones and fossils. He was giddy.

Saturday play day with friends. Addy's friend Skylar lives in our neighborhood.

Two weekends ago we went to SciWorks in Winston Salem.

We had our first famly planetarium experience.

The museum was the most hands on place we've visited so the kids loved it.

Still hoping for another dentist in the family.

Josh's bees have arrived! I still can't help but laugh when he puts on his bee keeper gear.

4th of July Festivities

To celebrate the 4th of July we stayed overnight in downtown aka uptown Charlotte.

Our first stop was the pool, of course.

Here's Jackson teaching Benny how to swim.

The kids love to watch cartoon network and we don't have cable at home.

We had dinner at our favorite place, the Mellow Mushroom, just a block away from the hotel.

After dinner we played at the park called The Green. I love that Addy is starting to become more helpful and nurturing.

In the evening we watched the SkyShow fireworks.

The next morning we walked to breakfast.

Peaceful quiet morning.

Special breakfast of egg sandwiches and donuts!

After breakfast we went to the Romare Bearden Park. Such a beautiful view of the skyline.

The waterfalls in the background were a big hit.

One last swim in the pool before heading home.

I have to get this child into swim lessons, he's a natural.

View from the pool deck.

We stopped at the Levine Museum of the New South on our way home. It's free on Sundays so why not.

It gave a great overview of Charlotte's history. Very education but somewhat boring too.