Swimming

Aeden had three weeks of swimming lessons this summer. After two weeks at level 2, he moved to level 2H/3 (level 3?). We were quite impressed with him considering he started the lessons at the end of June believing they were going to let him drown. :P

Practicing his breathing

Getting ready to go to the deep end...hard to believe that I had to bribe him to even try going in the deep end during the first week of lessons!
Jumping in

Video: Practicing his streamline

Swimming to the deep end

From fear of drowning to attempting to dive in the span of 4 weeks. Want proof?

Watch the video:

How to Celebrate your 8th Birthday

Wake up to a surprise message from Daddy:

Chill out on the couch:

Hang out and play video games with your best friend who is visiting from Ohio:(give your mom a look for interrupting what little time you have)

Go to clay class:

Have a popsicle:

Listen to the rain:
Play legos in your room (thanks Nathan!):
Make a tie-dye shirt (thanks Neil, Jessie & Riley):

Open presents:
Have birthday cake:

Make a wish:

(the video is horrible but totally worth it to see how seriously he takes making a wish)

Look grownup:

*Note: 8-year-old check-up: 49.5 inches (he grew 4.5 inches!) and 68 pounds.

Chess

Aeden worked hard to earn his chess belt loop. I basked in the glory of beating him soundly the first game we played together. However, by the third game between Aeden and I (his fifth total) he was doing so well (against me*) that we nearly ended in a stalemate...I managed to pull off a win (barely).

*For what it is worth, I am not known for my chess abilities. :P

Overheard

Aeden thought he only needed one folder for next year so I bought him one, even though I thought he needed five or six. We checked the supply list when we got home and sure enough he needs five different colored folders. As he was walking down the hall to put his swim stuff away I hear this:


"Okay I will admit I was wrong. I don't usually say that" (PAUSE) "...because I am always right."

--Aeden

Mustache!

Aeden made himself a mustache with pipe cleaners and tape:

Catching the Sun

On our last morning at the beach I drug Aeden out of bed and took him to "Catch the Sun " with me. In hindsight I wish we had done it every morning as it was a wonderful bonding time for us and so peaceful.

The Beach

We spent the week with Eric's family at the beach. The sound of the ocean is one of my favorite things (I have decided). Aeden loves the ocean and would have spent all day every day in the water if we had let him.

We saw dolphins following a shrimp boat.

Charleston Museum

We spent one afternoon at the Charleston Museum. All three of us really enjoyed looking at the exhibits and spending quality time together.

On our way to the museum we saw a lizard.

a submarine

whale skeleton

contemplating the whale skeleton

There was a children's area and Eric stopped to read us a story. :)