land of eternal summer

today we went swimming. outside. in the middle of october.
so surreal.
and yet, i love it.
it even rained while we were swimming but then the sun came out and it was a sweet, warm rain.
the boys loved it and i think we'll likely do it again sometime soon.

later today while i was pushing noah on the swings, we talked.
he - without any prompting by me - started listing off all the things he loves, make him happy or is thankful for. it was so wonderful to hear my boy choosing to give thanks and recognizing that he has much to be thankful for. i am thankful to have such an amazing little boy with such a huge heart.

one of jude's latest saying is "i'm safe. we're safe." and when i asked where he got it from, jamie told me it was him.
sometimes when our power goes out in the evening i light a candle in the hallway near the boys' room in lieu of a nightlight, but every time i've done it, jude cries and cries and jamie told me he blows it out and tells jude that he's safe and he doesn't need to be afraid. so i guess i'm not lighting a candle near their room anymore.

he swims!

once he figured out the water wings and realized he had independence...

pure joy.

and for me to watch my child learn a new skill, become confident and excited about his new ability...

also pure joy.

like nothing I have ever experienced until I had kids. 

being a parent is really, really cool. 

big challenges.

massive blessings.

linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesdays

Bad Mommy Moment #257

On Wednesdays Noah has a swimming lesson at the YMCA at 4pm. I figured after the boys had their naps we'd head over and I could get in a workout before the lesson. Of course this would be the day when Jude actually has a proper nap (ie longer than 40 mins) and he sleeps until 3!

So I feed Jude, get the boys ready and pack our bags and we're off to the Y.

I drop the boys off at the playcare center, have a quick 25 min run/walk and then pick up Noah and we go to the change room.

We both get changed into our bathing suits and the lesson goes well. Noah loves to jump off the side and play with all the pool toys. He's not a fan of doing floats and is getting better at kicking. He still thinks "blowing bubbles" means inhaling water. Not a good scene.

Anyway, so the lesson finishes and we head to the change room. I strip Noah down only to realize I forgot to pack him a diaper.

His previous diaper was wet and now in the garbage.

What

to

do?

Well, I put on his pants (no undies, nothing!) and tell him if he has to pee that he should tell me. Then I let him play in the little "house" that is in the change room while I get changed. I get him out of the house only to see he has already peed in his pants.

Potty Training Fail.

I am glad I put on a dark pair of jeans on Noah today. We hustle out of the change room, pick up a very tired and cranky Jude and then go to the car. Noah shows some discomfort at the feeling of walking in wet jeans, but doesn't really seem to mind his current situation. I root through our "emergency" pack in the car and THANKFULLY find a diaper that fits him. I change his diaper on the drivers seat and we drive home. Him in his boots, diaper and winter jacket.

Oh well.