Swimming!

A few weekends ago, Jack, Nolan and I took an impromptu trip to VA Beach to visit some friends. We were only there for about 24 hours, and wouldn't you know it, as soon as we started to get ready for the beach is started storming. I was excited to see what Nolan would do at the beach. Last summer when we went he just sat there and tried to eat fist-fuls of sand. yuck! I think he's old enough now to actually play in the sand and in the water. So hopefully sometime soon we'll get to go back.

Since we didn't get to go to the beach, we went in the pool instead. Jack and Nolan didn't seem to care that it was raining since they were going to get wet anyway. I wasn't sure how Nolan would do. Last summer we went to the pool a lot, and he loved it, but he was either in the baby pool or in an inner tube thing (neither of which we had available this time). But I'm proud to say that he was not scared of the water at all! He jumped right on in there! He enjoyed swimming around (with the help of Daddy and a life jacket) and jumping off the edge of the pool. He even jumped off the diving board (into Jack's arms)! I was impressed, but I should have known he would have no fear. Now I need to watch him VERY carefully if we are ever near water since I know he has no problems jumping right in.

Here are a few pics of Jack and Nolan in the pool... I didn't get a whole lot because it was raining and the water was making the camera lense blurry. But you can tell in just 2 shots that they seemed to be having a great time!

Hot Days

This week it has been uncomfortably hot. That hasn't stopped Nolan though. All he wants to do is play outside. He doesn't seem to care that within 5 minutes his cheeks are bright red and his hair is soaked with sweat. The first thing he does when he gets up and the last thing he does before bed is stand at the door begging to go outside. He just can't get enough. Yesterday I decided if we were going to be outside we might as well get cool. So I pulled out the baby pool and filled it up with nice cold hose water (previously this pool was solely for Boomer, but I figured they could share now). Boomer jumped right in. Nolan was a little tentative at first, but once he adjusted to the temparature, he went nuts. They both had a ball! Boomer splashed and Nolan laughed. It was fun to watch them. I get the feeling that was only the first of many times the pool will be in use this year!

Here are a few pics:

This is Nolan getting use to the water (clearly loving it though):

Eventually we put the slide so that it would go right into the pool...

... Best. Idea. Ever!

The look on Nolan's face is that of sheer joy:

The Big Move

Well, we have officially moved! This past weekend we packed up all of our belongings and moved them to either storage or to the apartment where we will be staying for the next little while. We are both happy and sad about this transition... Happy because we will have the opportunity to save some money, and because we will have free reign of the farm for Nolan and Boomer to run around (which they both LOVE). It's ironic because when I was growing up, all I wanted to do was live in "town" in a neighborhood like everyone else. Now that I have that, all I want is to move back to the country. So I think it will be a good thing to move, but we are sad to leave behind so many good memories. After all, this was the first place we lived together as a married couple, our first home to fix up and decorate, the first home Boomer knew, the home we took Nolan home from the hospital to - and the only home he's ever known.

Anyway, we are moved, and settling in to the apartment. I think Nolan and Boomer are having to make the biggest adjustments to the move. Boomer has pretty much given up sleeping with us. He prefers to stay in the house now so that he doesn't miss anything exciting - like going for walks or tractor rides. Plus, everytime he has been there before that is where he's stayed, so that's what he's use to. Nolan is also getting use to his new surroundings. Bed time has been a struggle only because he would much rather be playing outside than going to bed. It doesn't help that one of the windows in his room is missing a shade so it isn't as dark in there. This is particularly problematic in the mornings when the sun comes shining through and wakes him up at 5:45. Today he slept until 6:15 so I hope we are making some progress. I'm going to stop on my way home and pick up some room darkening shades for his room. Hopefully that will help!

To wrap this up, here is a picture from the last week or so (taken at the old house):

I thought it was funny because of all the camo Nolan was wearing. Boy does he love those boots! I couldn't help thinking to myself "This boy needs to get out to the country ASAP!" Now he can wear his camo boots and fit right in!