Last swim day at the Y

We enjoyed a wonderful summer at our local YMCA. We couldn't really afford to do lessons, so tried to just play there as much as possible, so the kids could get more comfortable with the pool. We have never had much of an opportunity to swim much in past summers, due to lack of availability of a pool, and because of two recent summers when I kept little children for friends, which would've made it really difficult also. This membership was such a treat, and so worth the few months' expense! We are so grateful we could make this a priority for our family, and God provided the means to do it, even if it stretched us.

Abigail is nearly fearless in the water (and most other areas of life), and by mid-summer was pretty much jumping off the side and swimming with no help. beyond my basic instructions and encouragement. Isaac was typically more hesitant, but gradually warmed up and progressed throughout the summer. A few well-advised comments from my dear friend/former lifeguard Jamie, and he was even more motivated. The kicking and splashing were wonderful exercise for all of us, and especially helped him strengthen his leg post-surgery.

Last week we went to the Y to swim before the outdoor pool closes for the fall, and the Barlows joined us. It was a great afternoon, made even greater by Isaac's eagerness to begin holding his breath and swimming under water, all on his own! I was shocked when he said, "Hey- watch this!" and took off, ducking down, and kicking away! This is the same boy who just a week or two prior was plugging up his ears, and nose and holding his breath to just barely even dip his face down to touch the surface of the water!! He swam over and over, and truly loved it. There was no fussing over water in his eyes or ears, and he was so proud. We all cheered and played, and Amy caught some great photos with her wonderful waterproof camera. I'm so thankful to have these moments in digital form. Yea for the Y, for friends, for swimming, and for my big boy's achievement!!!

Splish splash!

Elijah enjoyed his first trip to the pool last week, and here's proof:


He is so cute, kicking and splashing with his arms. He would buck like a little bronco when we held him on his tummy or back, like he thought he was really going somewhere. He had a wonderful time, and played hard for over an hour. We loved swimming at the Alabaster Y, since it's a smaller pool, wasn't crowded at all, and has some shade around a large portion of it. What a treat to be able to escape the heat for a little bit!

Happy Sounds

Some sweet summer things I've heard this week:

FAMILY---
- Isaac and Abigail saying, "Turn up the music!" in the van while DCB's "I Saw the Light" was playing

- Isaac and Elijah playing pat-a-cake, with lots of giggles at the "throw them in the pan!" part

- raindrops, for the FOURTH day in a row! YEA!

- Abigail tearing through the house to change from bathing suit to dance leotard because she 'just had to dance' in the living room right then

- slurping lime slushies from Sonic (1/2 price from 2-4 pm)

- James. He's off for a few days. :-)


---and FRIENDS:
- Zane, who loves Elijah, asking for 'my baby' on the phone

- Isaac talking to Benjamin, sharing the current plight of broken bones in the summer heat

- Drew and Abigail happily playing, like old times. Our little Drewbie is almost 5!

-

Summer Survival - Fun Ideas for the 'Ham

Get ready - it's a HUGE list!! I can't take credit for it though - it was forwarded to me. Some events are free, and most of the rest are cheap. If you want to do any of these as a group, just comment below and I'll email you. Have fun!

Summer Survival Guide

Weekly Activities (some libraries require registration)

Monday: Barnes and Noble Patton Creek story time 10:30 a.m.; North Shelby Library Toddler Tales 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday: VH Library Toddler Time 10:30 a.m.; Pottery Barn Kids story time 10 a.m.

Wednesday: Barnes and Noble Summit story time 11 a.m.

Thursday: Milestone Books (Vest) story time 10:30 a.m.; Hoover Library story time 10:30 a.m.; PJ Story Time North Shelby Library 7 p.m.

Friday: Milestone Books story time 10:30 a.m.; Zoo story time 10 a.m.

Saturday: Barnes and Noble Patton Creek story time 10:30 a.m.; Barnes and Noble Summit story time 11a.m.; Birthday cake at McWane 10 a.m.

Local Playground Play Dates (set up by some of our friends) 9-11 a.m.

May 21 Spain Park/Veteran’s Park (one of the best playgrounds in b’ham!)

May 28 Greystone Park (behind Hoover fire station 7)

June 4 Herdmont Park (on Hwy 119)

June 11 Mt. Laurel Park

June 18 Inverness Park (behind Hoover fire station 8 on Inverness Pkwy near Valleydale Rd)

June 25 Overton Park (on Overton Rd. in Mtn Brook, next to fire station)

July 2 Wald Park (Vestavia, off Hwy 31)

July 9 Mt. Laurel Park

July 16 Herdmont Park

July 23 Overton Park

July 30 Spain Park

Kids Eat Free (with adult meal)

Sunday: Schlotzky’s Hoover

Monday: Moe’s

Tuesday: Pizza Hut buffet, Chick-fil-A hwy 280, Roly Poly Patton Creek

Wednesday: Schlotzky’s Hoover, Applebee’s (after 5 p.m.)

Thursday: Captain D’s

Rave Motion Pictures Free Movies – Patton Creek and Lee Branch

All movies start at 10 a.m.

June 10/11 Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG)

June 17/18 Bee Movie (PG)

June 24/25 Shrek the Third (PG)

July 1/2 Fire House Dog (PG)

July 8/9 Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G)

July 15/16 Charlotte’s Web (G)

July 22/23 Surf’s Up (PG)

July 29/30 Veggie Tales (G)

Vestavia Hills Library – registration required for some events. See vestavia.lib.al.us/

June 4 Puppet Show – Aesop’s Fables 10:30 a.m.

June 5 Juggling Show 2 p.m.

June 9 Magic Show and Ice Cream 6 p.m.

June 12 Creepy Crawlies Show 3 p.m.

June 18 Picnic 11a.m.

June 19 Razzle Dazzle Chemistry 3 p.m.

June 26 Theatre “The Tortoise and the Hare” 10:30 a.m.

July 9 Music Show – Jim Aycock 10:30 a.m.

July 14 Drummer and Musician 6:30 p.m.

July 17 Amazing Animals 3 p.m.

July 22 Safari Greg 10:30 a.m.

Hoover Library (hooverlibrary.org/files/kids_sr_cal_2008.pdf)

Most shows are at 10:30 and 1:30 Tues and Wed, and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday only

May 27/28 Puppet Show and Pizza Party

June 3/4 Dinoman

June 10/11 Jim Aycock

June 17/18 Puppet Show

June 24/25 Theatre “The Tortoise and the Hare”

July 1/2 Magic Show

July 8/9 Puppet Show

July 15/16 Roger Day (he will also be at Crestline Library on July 22 at 6 p.m.)

July 22/23 David Chicken

North Shelby Library (on Hwy 119) registration required for some events (439-5504)

June 2 Matinee – Bee Movie 2 p.m.

June 3 McWane: Creepy Crawlers show 10:30 a.m.

June 4 Puppet Show 2 p.m. Aesop’s Fables

June 9 Matinee – A Bug’s Life 2 p.m.

June 10 Storytelling and Face Painting 11 a.m.

June 16 Theatre – The Ransom of Red Chief 2 p.m.

June 17 Matinee – Alvin and the Chipmonks 2 p.m.

June 19 Ice Cream Party 7 p.m.

June 23 Special story time with Willa Brigham 1 p.m.

June 24 Matinee – Enchanted 2 p.m.

June 30 Matinee – The Pirates that Don’t Do Anything (Veggie Tales) 2 p.m.

July 7 Matinee – The Water Horse 2 p.m.

July 8 Magic Show 11 a.m.

July 14 The Critters Show 2 p.m. (live animals)

July 15 McWane: Stardome Constellation 10:30 a.m.

July 15 Matinee – Dora Summer Explorer 2 p.m.

July 21 Matinee – The Spiderwick Chronicles 2 p.m.

July 22 Dance and drum show 11 a.m.

McWane Center (mcwane.org)

Itty Bitty Science Everyday at 10 a.m.

Really Cold Stuff Everyday at noon

Gulf Feeding (eels) Mon/Wed/Fri at 1 p.m.

Ocean’s Edge Tuesday/Thursday at 1 p.m.

Science@Mac’s Everyday at 2 p.m.

Paleo Explorations Everyday at 4 p.m.

May 30 Harry Potter Camp-in (overnight)

June 8, July 13, Aug 10 Challenger Learning Center 1-4 p.m.

IMAX Theater Grand Canyon Adventure May 24-Nov 26

Dinosaurs Alive Now through Sept 5

Everest May 24-July 27

Fly Me to the Moon opens Aug 18

Birmingham Barons afternoon and early evening home games (good for little ones!) All other home games begin after 7 p.m.

May 28 12:35 p.m.

June 8 2:05 p.m.

June 18 11:05 p.m.

June 22 2:05 p.m.

July 9 11:05 p.m.

August 3 5:05 p.m.

August 10 5:05 p.m.

Alabama Theatre (alabamatheatre.com)

All children’s movies begin at 2 p.m.

June 7 Snow White

June 21 Beauty and the Beast

July 12 Willy Wonka

July 19 The Lion King

July 26 Sleeping Beauty

August 2 Gremlins

August 9 Cinderella

August 16 The Wizard of Oz

August 23 Enchanted

Birmingham Zoo (birminghamzoo.com)

Sea Lion Splash Show everyday at 10:30 and 3

Big Snake Day June 14, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Animal Play Day July 18, 10 a.m.

Harvest Day September 13

Pottery Barn Kids

July 23, August 27 Concerts featuring children’s entertainment 10 and 11 a.m.

Don’t Forget these year-round activities/locations:

Aldridge Gardens

Botanical Gardens

Alabama Adventure

Oak Mountain State Park

Bud’s Best Cookies – factory tour train ride, free cookies

Recreation Station – Valleydale near 280

Pump It Up – Open play schedule varies

Vestavia, Oak Mtn., and Brunswick Bowling

Vulcan Park (Birthday Bash June 1, 1-4 p.m.)

Alabama U Pick farms (http://www.agi.alabama.gov/alabama_u-pick)

Birthday weekend for Gramma

We had a great time visiting with the grandparents this weekend. We haven't been to see them in weeks and weeks and so tried to do some fun things and just enjoy their company. We were quite successful, especially seeing as how Abigail cried like her heart was breaking as we pulled out of the driveway, because she was going to miss Gramma and Grandddaddy so much she just couldn't help the "tears just keep coming out of my eyes!" Isaac agreed, saying tonight at bedtime, "I sure miss Gramma and Granddaddy already...." I'm so thankful for precious family we hate leaving! Here are a few pictures from the visit.

There was the usual car-washing, bike riding, and then a new surprise for Granddaddy - a new vehicle. He took the kids to pick up the pre-ordered SUV while Gramma and I visited the farmer's market. We returned home, and then they arrived soon after, with Isaac bursting through the door saying, "We helped Granddaddy buy a new car!" They were quite proud of their "assistance." :-)

Then Mom and I showed off the great veggies we'd gotten at the market and the kids helped us put some gorgeous peppers in jars. Though we're not crazy about eating peppers, we couldn't resist the unusual variety one of the vendors had. I'd never even seen most of these: lemon drops, mushroom, Chinese lantern, and orange habaneros. They were so fun to pick out and fill our jars with.

We also enjoyed playing in a splash pad during the hot afternoon, and then visited with Mrs. Martha and Mr. Bill, dear friends of my parents' who own some fun animals. When we arrived Martha was rescuing a tiny hummingbird from the spider web it had gotten tangled in, and we watched in amazement as it lay still in her hand as she gently worked the wispy trap loose from both its feet. We all feared it may be more dead than just stunned like she said it was, and then watched happily as it rested a few moments on a bush and then flew away! The miniature donkeys, Hermie the sheep, llama-boy, and chickens are all a great source of entertainment, and of course, our nature and animal-loving family just couldn't get enough of them. Abi was determined to hold Teeny, the youngest little Cochin hen, and though Martha said she'd never been caught, it only took a couple of minutes before Abi said, "Look at this!" and proudly displayed her captured quarry. It was hilarious; she was so satisfied with herself. There were a couple of funny roosters that Dad said looked like rockstars. I think one was the Keith Richards of roosters. You'll know which one when you see the picture. :-)

The evening ended with great steaks Jacob brought and we had razzleberry pie for dessert before watching, and enduring, the Auburn game. Thankfully it ended well, and we could all rest that night. Church was also awesome, but will take a separate post, later in the week.

Summer goodness

James sweetly brought us delicious peaches from a quick trip to Chilton County this week. We have enjoyed them so much. They're huge and just the perfect texture. The bonus gifts for me were a yummy serving of blackberry cobbler, and a fried peach pie. I tried to share, but admit, I didn't succeed very well. They were delicious! If you live here and have never visited Peach Park, you need to go!

Sweet peas, and other veggie tales

Today was a nice, hot day to work in the garden and yard. Despite the heat and drought, our vegetables have continued to produce pretty well, even some that we've never grown until this year. We're enjoying good corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers, and today picked most of our peas. We'd planted purple hull, crowder, lady cream, and zipper peas. They've all surprised us with how easy they were to grow, but the zippers are the prettiest of all we've harvested. We can't wait to eat some. Monday night is going to be fresh veggie night here at the Vines' cafe!