Swim Class

This summer's swim lesson sessions have marked two big milestones: Nathan's first swim class without a parent in the pool, and Natalie's first swim class ever.  Nathan was really nervous about getting in the pool without one of us.  He spent the first half of the first class crying in Todd's arms.  Eventually he was up for venturing in the water, and has become steadily more comfortable with the class.  Needless to say, we are going to build on the positive momentum and keep him in class for the fall session.

Here are some pics from the last class of the summer session:

Natalie absolutely loves swim class!  She's a huge fan of the bathtub, and thinks it's awesome that the pool is like a big bathtub that Mommy and Daddy get in as well.  She isn't too worried when we dunk her under the water, she loves to kick her legs and splashes her hand in the water when we sing "the horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep."  So cute!

Woodward Dream Cruise

On Saturday Nathan, Natalie and I drove from Northport to Detroit to Stuart and Erin's house.  Todd, Dan and Nancy met us there.  What was the occasion? The Woodward Dream Cruise!  Stu and Erin live about a block off of Woodward Ave, so it was a must that we finally make it to Detroit for this annual event.  It's a week-long extravaganza, with most of the action taking place on Saturday.  Cars of all types and condition cruise up and down Woodward while throngs of people line the street and the median. 

It was perfect weather for being outside, and the fact that we were only a block away meant that we could come and go as Nathan's attention-span dictated.  Thanks so much to Stu and Erin for hosting such a great party!

Nathan has recently rediscovered the camera that we got him for his birthday, and loved taking pictures of the cars he liked.

I loved taking pictures of the cars I liked too!

Nathan getting a super close-up shot of the Road Runner.  He thought it was hilarious that there was a car called the Road Runner and that the color of it was "Slime Lime."

Todd loves this car.

Papa serving as Nathan's photography assistant.

Taking a break from the cruising to do some sidewalk chalk with Aunt Erin.  Nathan requested that she draw a minivan, which she did.  Nathan observed it and declared, "You are not very good at drawing minivans, Aunt Erin."  Good thing she can fall back on her profession as a lawyer! :)

The whole gang watching the cruise.

My loves

Car Conversation

In the car last week, Florence and I were talking about how Stuart and Erin will be married three years in October.

Nathan: "Mom, when will I get married?"

Me: "Well, someday when you get bigger, you will find someone you love very, very much, and you will decide to get married."

Nathan: "Mom, I love YOU very, very much, can I marry you?"

Me: "I love you very, very much too, Buddy!  But I am already married to Daddy."

Nathan: "Oh. Well, Daddy can come too!"

I adore this kid.

By The Shore

We definitely did spend some time by the water while we were up north.  First we went to check out Peterson Park, which is on Lake Michigan.  Dad loves it here because the entire beach is made of rocks--a geologist's dream!

Handsome boy in front of a gorgeous view.

Lots of steps to get from the parking lot to the beach.

What do you do when presented with a beach full of rocks?

Why, throw them into the water, of course!

A rocky beach isn't the best surface for little ones, and the lake was a bit choppy, so we decided to head over to the tamer, sandier 7th Street beach to wrap up the day.

Nathan, Natalie and I headed to Detroit on Saturday morning, while Mom and Dad headed over to the Sleeping Bear Dunes for the day.

Future Hornets?

What do you think?  Are you looking at members of the Kalamazoo College classes of 2031 and 2034??

Up North with Mom and Dad

Last week the kids and I headed up to Northport with my parents for a few days of fun and relaxation.  Todd has used up his vacation time for the year so he wasn't able to join us.  There was a cool, rainy front that came through while we were there, so it wasn't all beach, all the time like our previous trip, but we still had a lot of fun!

My mom and Nathan are the best of friends.  She brought him a new stack of Berenstain Bears books, and they read all of them in one sitting!

Dad and Natalie are great buddies as well.  Grandpa John can get her giggling like no one else!

Basil and Florence had us over for breakfast on Friday.  Basil and Nathan gave my dad a tour of Basil's latest project--another 1923 Buick.

My car was low on coolant.  Good thing Basil was able to fill in for my usual car guy!  My car guy in training was there observing closely. :)

 Grandpa John is so funny, especially when he's getting my toes! 

Nathan was not a fan of my plan to take a sweet picture of him with Grandma Florence.

Nathan took this photo of Grandpa.  Not bad!