Jump Around

(Since I'm a 90's music fiend, it's impossible for me to type the title to this post without thinking of one of the most popular songs in that decade by the same name. I've been singing (OK, rapping) it all day. If you know it, I hope it's now in your head too.)


In addition to bike riding and running the usual laps around the house, here's another way the boys burned off some excess energy today.

Since Alex received it on his 2nd birthday, this trampoline has spent way too much time in the garage. I decided today it desperately needed little boys jumping on it.



And two little boys I know were more than happy to oblige.








They even cutely posed for pictures without being asked. And by asked, I mean begged, harassed, and bribed.

(Thank you, Hailey, for walking in front of the camera. Impeccable timing.)


The trampoline beckoned to them after dinner as well. And when the trampoline is calling, who has time to put clothes on?


Check out the impressive height!


Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto. (An 80's music reference. I'm old. And too lazy to include a YouTube link, although I'm sure there must be one.).


I'm fairly certain they had a blast.


And don't feel bad that Will missed out. His time on the trampoline will come soon enough. Plus, he was enjoying his own game of jumping around inside the house.
This is how he used to look when he was being tortured in put in the Jumperoo:

Ahh, the look of pure delight on a baby's face is a magical thing.

But now, jumping around is just a little bit more fun.


(Pay no attention to the man behind the Jumperoo. Daddies need naps sometimes too.)

Yeeee-haw!!


And my gosh, just look at these adorable, chunky baby legs. I'm in love with baby thigh rolls.


I even checked out his rear. For research purposes. So in case you were wondering, the back of his legs are just as cute as the front.


It was a good day. All my boys are asleep, but the trampoline and Jumperoo are out and waiting. And I'm sure tomorrow the boys will, once again, be happy to oblige them.

Telephone

Today Jacob answered our telephone 3 times. He seemed very excited he was allowed to do this. I think it made him feel like quite the grown up. He did a good job, considering it was his first day as the household secretary. Sure, sometimes he pulled the phone away from his ear to stare at the buttons, and all the while I hear the person on the other line chattering away. At least he was polite and friendly to the callers. But perhaps a lesson on what information should be disclosed to callers is in order...

One of the phone calls was from me. Will and I were at the grocery store and I called Jeff while standing in the ridiculously slow line where the cashier had to call for assistance and then the person paid with a check. I always pick the wrong line at the store. I also always pick the grocery cart with the one loud wheel that sticks and doesn't turn.

Ring, ring...

Jacob: "Hello!"

Me: "Well, hi there. It's Mommy."

Jacob: "Hi, Mommy!"

Me: "Hi, Jacob. You're answering the phone, huh?"

Jacob: "Yep! I have the phone beside me and I'm watchin' TV."

Me: "Well, good. Where's Daddy?"

Jacob: "Oh, he just got out of the shower and doesn't have a shirt on and he's naked."

Full disclosure about full exposure: not necessary information to pass along to callers.
But a great job overall.

I'm told that after I hung up with Jacob and Jeff, Alex was upset that he hadn't spoken to me. Jeff dialed my cell phone, but I missed the call. I'm glad I did, though. Because I had the cutest voice message waiting for me from Alex.

"Hi, Mommy. I yuv you. I can see you in a wittle bit. Bye."

The words alone are sweet. Combine them with his little (or "wittle") voice, and you've got hands down one of the most adorable messages ever left on voice mail.

I've listened to it approximately 15 times and I want to save it forever.

Minnows

At the beginning of last summer, Jacob was afraid to go under water. He even hated when droplets of water splashed on his face. Rinsing soap out of his hair during bathtime used to be an absolute nightmare ("My EYES!! Water's gettin' in my eeeyyyeeess!!").
But by the end of the summer last year, he was not only allowing water to splash his face, he was also jumping into the pool and intentionally going under the water. (Thankfully, this meant bathtime also became much easier.)

A few months ago, when we noticed a posting about swim lessons in our neighborhood's newsletter, we decided it would be a good idea to sign Jacob up. Having one set of grandparents with a pool in their backyard, and the other set living on a lake, we figured it was smart for Jacob to be more comfortable (and safe) in the water. After reading over the descriptions of the 3 different lesson levels, we determined Jacob was too advanced for the Tadpoles class, and not advanced enough to be a Guppy. Therefore, he joined a class of Minnows.
Every Monday through Thursday for two weeks, we spent our mornings at the pool. Jacob loved everything about his swim lessons: his teacher, his classmates, learning to swim, and of course, just being in the pool.









Shaking your "bootie butt" is a sure way to get a laugh.


While Jacob was learning to swim, Will was doing a little bit of this:


and a lot of this:



Alex also enjoyed the time at the pool. "Yay! We goin' to the pool for Bo's swimmin' lessons!"


Sometimes he played with other kids he met there.



Sometimes the boys' cousin, Camden, would join us.


And sometimes, Alex would miss his big brother and ask, "When is Bo gonna be done with swimmin' lessons?" Then a break from playing was required in order to locate his brother in the water.


But he still had fun playing by himself.




And when his big brother's lesson was over, they could have fun playing together.




After Jacob's final lesson, he was so proud. And so was I.



Since lessons ended, we've really enjoyed our pool time. Jacob loves showing off his skills, and is almost always swimming while completely submerged under the water. He jumps off the side, and even goes down the pool's slide by himself. Something he was terrified of doing last year.


He likes to wear goggles to help him watch where he's going...and to make it easier to find legs to grab.


He absolutely loves playing in the pool with his cousin/best friend, Daniel.


And during Uncle Chris's visit, he enjoyed their synchronized swimming. Well, synchronized jumping. (He enjoys everything about Uncle Chris. I think Jacob might be the president of his Fan Club.)


See their cheerleaders?


Basically, Jacob could stay in the water all day long and be happy. And still want to be in the water again the next day.

Even though Jacob was the only one who received the formal lessons, it seems all 3 boys have made huge strides in the water this summer.

For instance, when I first tried dipping his feet in the pool water, Will cried. And during his first "swim", he tolerated the water for only about 10 minutes. I know this is surprising considering the look of pure joy and excitement on his face.


But now he doesn't mind having his feet dipped.


And he didn't mind when I walked around in the pool with him for 20 minutes.

He found the pool to be so enjoyable and relaxing, he dozed off on my lap. Or maybe he was exhausted from his swim. Or perhaps he decided sleep was preferable to hearing the chatter of his mommy and two aunts.


He stayed asleep when I transferred him to his bouncy seat.


Then woke up in a great mood.


Happy to be on Mommy's lap. Happy to be outside. And probably happy to be looking so adorable in his swim gear.



Alex has also come a long way in the water.

Even as recently as a few weeks ago, he was too afraid to go underwater. But with a little help from Daddy...



...he did it!

This picture literally brought me to tears because of the look of pride on Jeff's face.


Mommy & Daddy weren't the only ones who were proud. Someone's looking pretty happy about his accomplishment. As he should be.


A little while later, as Jeff was playing with Jacob in the water, I looked over to find Alex doing this all on his own.


Practice makes perfect!

Since Alex is now a pro, it was time for some group head dunking.



And one of my favorites...happy boys who so clearly love their daddy.


And the water.