While J. is off doing important things you might be wondering what in the world the rest of us are doing. A friend commented that he had stopped and read the blog and liked “the calm it gave me to know we all deal with the same issues.”  All of which I found very funny since I haven’t posted a real post about any real issues in many (many, many) weeks. So what have we been up to?

Um…I don’t really exactly know. I mean how is it almost the end of January already? Last week I told J. that I felt like I needed a vacation and we hadn’t even been back to school for two full weeks. I think I’m just having a hard time navigating back into my groove.

So we did end up taking a mini-vacation over the weekend and went and spent the night at Disney. Again, I am very thankful that J. works for Disney, and that we live so close that we can make these relatively cheap, quick getaways. And I am also continually thankful that the girls love being together. My heart bursts every time Emma reaches out to hold Addie’s hand. It is one of my greatest wishes that they are always sweet, best friends.

The girls are all about swimming right now. Em tried out for the swim team and the coach told her she needs help on her breathing and some of her strokes so she suggested she join the dolphin lessons which run at the same time the team practices. And hopefully at the end of the month they will re-evaluate her and move her up to the team. It was actually perfect, I think. She is getting all kinds of practice and help and when I watch her swim laps in her swim cap, goggles and real suit, I get a little choked-up. She really looks so very old. But she loves it and likes watching the team practice too, so I hope the excitement continues.

Not to be outdone, Addie wanted to take swim too. Thankfully they have a pee wee class at the same time as Em’s so I enrolled Addie. Now, I don’t know if you recall the horrors we went through with little Miss Stubborn two summers ago when I decided she MUST learn how to swim, but I was skeptical about signing her up. But I did, and holy cow! The girl has turned into a fish. The first night her coach said, “we may have to move her up to the dolphins.” Something has clearly clicked in that girl with the swimming (and thankfully the reading, too!).

So these photos were actually taken on our very sunny weekend getaway. Their classes are 6-6:30 at night and I know you won’t believe it…but it is chilly at the outdoor pool they practice at. Like low 60s.

I know, I know! We won’t get much sympathy from you all in the east, but when there is steam coming off of the pool and I have a sweater and jacket on, it just seems a bit chilly to be swimming. But they love it, so I’m going with it.

So I guess that is where we have been? At the pool. And at school. And just trying to stay cool. (Sorry. Been helping Addie with that rhyming, reading thing again!)