Wade in the Water

Our summer has been pretty uneventful thus far, which is just how I wanted it to be. We were so busy during the spring that it has been nice to have a slightly slower pace of life for these past few weeks!

We spend at least a couple hours every day at my parents' pool, which is (conveniently!) right next door. And we are rarely without friends, which makes it all the more fun. I love watching Eli and the other kids play while I read a book or talk with friends! :)

Mesquite has a fun little place called the Aquatic Center, part of which is a shallow area with fountains, slides, etc. for the littler kids. We went several times last year, but yesterday Sarah and Heather and I took all the kids there for the first time this summer. Eli was in heaven. Next time we go, I need to remember to bring a camera to try to capture his pure joy. He was so sad when we had to leave, and as we were walking away, he said, "Mommy, I LIKE this place!" :)

I love seeing Eli enjoy the water so much, because being in the pool for hours every day was such a fun part of our childhood summers. I love seeing Eli's slightly sunburned cheeks, bleach blond hair, and tan line right above his white little bottom. :) I love seeing the kids take breaks from swimming to wolf down snacks and juice and then jump right back in the pool. And I love smelling chlorine and sunscreen when I hug Eli. All of this is quintissential summer to me, and I'm so happy that my kiddo is enjoying it!

Stillwater

We got back late this afternoon from a few days in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I had a conference to attend at OSU for work, and Eric was able to take off most of the week from work so that he and Eli could come with me. Work trips are much more enjoyable when I have Eric and Eli with me!!!

We'd never been to Stillwater before, and it's a pretty cute little college town (home of OSU). The drive was hard, though- five hours is a bit too long for a three year-old, and for a thirty year-old, too. :) But Eli was such a trooper, and I think he had a blast just goofing off with Eric during the day while I was in meetings. The hotel we stayed in was really nice- Eli had his own room (it was a two-bedroom suite) with his own tv and his own bathroom. :) And the hotel had a saltwater pool that he had all to himself, since practically every person staying there was in Stillwater on business. And you don't see too many businessmen doing cannonballs into pools. :) We also got to see Eric's dad and step-mom and sister on our way up, so that was a nice treat, too.

All in all, it was a good week. I learned a lot, and we had some really good family time, too. I'm thankful for a job that I enjoy and for Eric and Eli coming with me to make a work trip a family trip too.