Just Keep Swimming

Here it is, the swimming post! Gavyn had his second class of the season tonight and he had a blast. It was so much fun, I had to drag him out of the water kicking and screaming because he didn't want to leave. When we did classes in the fall he really enjoyed them, but it had been several months since he had been in the water and he spent his first class just watching everybody and cautiously hanging out in the water. Tonight he returned to his fish-like state. I am so proud of his approach to challenges. He spends a lot of time studying, watching, and observing. That way when he actually does try it himself, he acts like he has been doing it all along! We shower him with positive reinforcement, which he drinks up like watered-down apple juice.

Jumping into the water

Smiling for Daddy

In the noodle!

With our good friends Amy and Scarlette!

 

 

 

 

He loves the Dinosaur slide now!

 For fun, here is a picture of the cupcakes I made for Tyler for his birthday, and the happy boy himself indulging in them. 

You try telling him he needs a haircut

Special Friendships

We all know friendships are special things. While Gavyn gets along with almost anybody he meets, he has a few friends that he plays with regularly and deserve special recognition.

Evan is almost like a brother to Gavyn. I find that Gavyn has a sense of responsibility towards him that makes him want to protect and care for him. He is with Evan almost every day of the week, although they don't seem to tire of each other. I am so glad that they have had the opportunity to create this special bond with one another. I have a lot of pictures of these two together, because they are just so darn cute!

Big hugs

My big helper

If Evan is Gavyn's brother, Bella is certainly Gavyn's girlfriend. These two have known and played with each other from the beginning, as they are only 3 weeks apart, and live right down the street. These two have always had something special, and have shared kisses, held hands, and just looked incredibly adorable together. I love watching these two interact...they have so much in common!

This picture is old, but its such a classic

Fun!

 One of Gavyn's younger friends is Miss Scarlette. While Gavyn is usually zooming circles while Scarlette watches, they have fun together none-the-less. Its just so good to have company, especially for Mama! These two just recently started a swimming class together (perhaps another post to come) and while distance will soon separate them, I hope our families can stay in touch!

Playdate

Gavyn and Scarlette

At Gavyn's birthday party (Gavyn, Scarlette, Bella)

While a bit older than Gavyn, Zack is one of Gavyn's besties. Really, they don't have a choice. They are going to have to live with each other so we are glad they seem to get along! They are both such sweet boys it is no wonder why. Zack's Mama and I have been friends since high school and are very much looking forward to watching these two grow together!

At the zoo

While I can't write about all of Gavyn's wonderful friends, here are some more pictures!

 

Gavyn and his friend Skylin

With Madison

Gavyn, Madison, and Mason

I also can't forget Gavyn's favorite buddy, Belle. If I EVER need to get a smile on his face, Belle is the answer. She is so good and tolerant of him too. She is an amazing dog and big sister!

The ONLY snow we had!

Growing old like fine wine

 Today we celebrate not one, but TWO special birthdays. Irish twins I believe its called. Our boys Tyler and Kolton are a year older today, and we are so proud of each of them.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein. 

Gavyn will only sit like this with Tyler

I don't know why, but this seems to describe a teenager quite well. Our boy Tyler is 18 today. I met Tyler when he was 10 years old. I had no idea he was John's son, as I was under the illusion that John was about 20 at the time. This was also when I found out John was 10 years older than me. Anyway...Tyler has always had a unique, fun, and impressive sense of humor. He is the most laid-back kid I have ever met. Through the years I have watched him grow from an adventurous young boy, to a withdrawn teenager, to an amazing friend, and most recently an idol. His admirer may only stand 29" tall, but the connection is strong. Above all things, he is most undoubtedly his father's son. I have on several occasions watched the two of them in a heated conversation about nothing. Sometimes I even dare to put in an opinion or two. Arguing with a Griesbaum is no easy feat, however, and I much rather like to sit back, watch, and laugh as I see an exact reflection of my husband in his first-born. 

Kolton with a lego war

Kolton is now 9 years old. He is so many great things, but in my mind, above all he is SO smart. I find myself amazed at his wit and quickness. He loves to make people laugh. I find myself answering what seems like hundreds of questions a day with him, and while most revolve around what is being served for the next meal, there is always one or two that show just how advanced his mind is. I've have deeper conversations about life with this boy than I have with some adults. I am lucky to get him to myself most of the summer, but when Dad comes home is when he gets to do one of his favorite things...play ball. They play football, baseball, soccer-you name it-in the backyard. They've done this about 90% of the time I have known them, only being prevented by bitter cold or heavy rain. I am looking forward to watching him grow and learn over the next nine years and beyond.

To my friends, my allies, my sons....Happy Birthday! I am so proud of you both, and you are very loved!

Tyler and his beautiful girlfriend, Arwen

Kolton being silly

Kolton at a cubs game

I just love this picture

Burn Baby, Burn!

A big part of John's job at Allerton is doing controlled burns at the park. Fire promotes prairie plants to germinate and encourages prairie restoration by fighting off hardier, invasive trees and plants. It is stuff like this that makes it hard for me to believe that John is going to "work" every day! Burn days are fun but a lot of work. The weather has to be perfect and a lot of prep goes into getting fire breaks put in. They monitor the fires all day and keep watch several days following. Another benefit to burning is it creates wildlife corridors: its the perfect hunting ground for snakes and birds of prey. Also, the more prairie, the more habitat for these native animals!

How cool is this?

Supervisor

Stopping to smile for the camera and Gavyn

The Little Gym

Last week we started taking Gavyn to The Little Gym, which I like to call gymnastics but really its a class that teaches confidence, friendship, and fun while doing a series of games, songs, activities and skills. The gym has lots of mats, bars, rings, balance beams, and other apparatuses and the children are allowed to explore as they wish, but they more often want to get in on the activities that are being led! Gavyn LOVES this class. He likes that he can go wherever he wants whenever he wants to without (many) limits. We encourage him to do the skills being taught and he is always more than willing to participate. He catches on quickly and has a blast! It is very hard to get pictures of a little boy that won't stop, but you can get the idea. He is the youngest and smallest in his class, but he doesn't seem to mind this!

Hanging all by himself!

Walking on the beam

Bubble time!

On a completely different note, Gavyn finally found a vegetable he liked last night - broccoli in marinara sauce! I think it was the sauce that did it. He even ate all his broccoli before getting into his cheese sticks.