Too Cool for the Pool

Saturday means it's time for swim class! This is Alexa's 5th class, and Grandma E got to come and watch! Alexa was excited to see her friend Brandon, so she tried to give him a hug. But poor Brandon wasn't sure about the hugging. The kiddos ran around until it was time to go in the pool!

Meanwhile, Grandma E got this great photos of us in the pool with Alexa. She practiced kicking, blowing bubbles, climbing out of the pool and jumping back in on the count of three. Her favorite part of swim class comes at the end, when everyone gets a toy to play with!

After swim class, we went out to lunch at Cafe Deluxe. We'll definitely be back. They have a wonderful feature that is great for kids -- paper tablecloths that you can color all over! Alexa had a blast making pictures with Grandma E!

Lanikai beach with Kamakoa! More pool!

We had a great day at Lanikai Beach today with my friend Cheryl and her son Kamakoa! Alexa was pretty fussy at fist, but she eventually warmed up to the sand. She even started chasing birds around and using her bucket to scoop sand! We also got her into the water by playing games. When we said goodbye, she gave Kamakoa a hug. It was so cute!

After Alexa's loooong nap, she enjoyed some afternoon pool play with Daddy and Grandpa Tom!

Alexa's visits Kailua Beach & Island Snow!

Alexa got up early, so we headed to the beach! She was admittedly a little upset when we first got to the beach. Maybe it was the wind? She didn't want me to sit down, or put her down. Finally, we coaxed her into sitting on the towel. Then we got her to play with her toys. She ended up having a great time!

The same scenario repeated at the pool. Alexa loved her swim classes last summer, but cried when we took her in the pool! She finally calmed down and had fun playing next to the pool. Silly girl!

We ended the day with some shave ice at Island Snow! This is one of my favorite places in Hawaii. It's only about five minutes from where I grew up. And, as you can see from my collage below, it's also frequented by President Obama, who has spent two Christmases in my hometown. Cool!

Birthday Party #3 (Catherine turns 1!)

Alexa was excited to go to Catherine's birthday party today! As you might recall, Catherine is Alexa's first friend! Alexa met Catherine at her first doctor's visit when she was only five days old! Also, her first play date was with Catherine when she was about two weeks old. Catherine is 11 days older than Alexa and a strong walker! She gave Alexa a few tips... They were adorable to watch!

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After some yummy cupcakes, the girls took a dip in Catherine's baby pool! They LOVED splashing and getting wet. They were giggling and squealing in delight. Don't take my word for it, here's a video!



Some more adorable pictures of our bathing beauties. Also at the party, Alexa got to meet baby Ellie, who is 3 months old and the daughter of two other co-workers, Kim and Ken. She was adorable in her bee outfit. A little too small to go in the kiddie pool, but she watched the big girls!

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Alexa & Avery rock out at swim class!

Alexa LOVED swim class today! She didn't even fuss when we got in the water. She was all smiles, splashed around, smiled and giggled when we helped her jump into the water, paddled after the toys... We had such a good time with her! Alexa's friend Avery, who shares her same birthday, was there with her parents. The girls were so cute! Here is Alexa at the start of class...

One of the things we do in class is set the babies on the edge of the pool and then help them "jump" into the water... Alexa and Avery loved it! Look at their expressions - classic.

Here are the girls again... So cute! They were sitting right next to each other and kept reaching out to hold hands.

At the end of class, the babies got some pool toys to paddle after. She loves the toys! No rubber ducks, but the frog and basketball were OK. What a fun class! Our last class is next Saturday.

After swim class, Alexa took a looooong nap. She slept for 3+ hours! We then walked into town for a late lunch and to check out the Bethesda Sidewalk Sale. After so much sleep, Alexa was in a fantastic mood! Here she is trying out our new high chair cover from Baby Ease. It was super easy to put on and definitely makes the chair more comfortable, not to mention cleaner. Of course, she was much more interested in the cardboard drink coasters...

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Restaurant napkins are good for ... playing Peek-a-boo! (video)

Another hot day, but we wanted to get out! So we took Alexa out to lunch. She was such a cutie pie in her high chair... She had just woken up from a 2+ hour nap... Here she is!

After we finished eating, Alexa got ahold of Daddy's cloth napkin and started playing a game of peek-a-boo, or as we call it, Where's Alexa? She was cracking us up!

And now, video of Alexa playing peek-a-boo with the napkin! Note: The clip is about 60-seconds long and the cutest part is at the end, so make sure you watch the whole thing!

Earlier in the day, we took Alexa to swim class. She fussed a little in the beginning, but then had a ball playing with a cloth ball in the pool! When we put the ball out of reach, she paddled to it! She also smiled and laughed when we put he on the edge of the pool and helped her "jump" in. But I was so busy having fun with Alexa, that I only got this one picture! Doh! More next time... :-)

Kiddie Pool with Ethan & Danny!

We went over to our neighbor friend's house today to watch the World Cup soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain! Alexa hung out with Daddy on the patio at halftime. Of course, we were rooting for Spain to win since Aunt Jen lives in Spain!

When the game went into overtime, the kiddos got antsy and so we plopped them into the kiddie pool. Alexa loved playing with Ethan and Danny. She especially liked Danny's toy truck. And blocks! And cups! In the end, we celebrated because Spain won!

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Alexa's visits downtown CHICAGO!

We took Alexa downtown today to meet up with Daddy's friend and his family. Here we are walking through the city and taking the El!

Our destination... Crown Fountain at Millennium Park! It was such a hot day, that we thought the kids would enjoy cooling off. Alexa sure did! She wasn't sure what to think at first, but once she sat down in the water, she loved it! What a great fountain!

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Swim class & a walk to get some BBQ! Yum!

Oh boy, today was HOT! Luckily we had swim class this morning because it was great to cool down. Here are Daddy and Alexa in the pool. If you look carefully, you can see Alexa paddling! Our teacher told us to put a toy just out of reach and see if the babies will paddle toward it. Alexa was declared a natural because once she saw that toy she wanted, she took off! Our little swimmer!

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After swim class, Alexa passed out for a long nap! When she woke up, we decided to walk to Bethesda Community Store, which I read about in the newspaper as being a hidden treasure for sandwiches or bbq. Turns out, it's just up the street from us! After a short walk, we grabbed a table and enjoyed the best bbq ever! Delish! Oh, and check out Alexa's new travel high chair - it clips onto any table!

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First outdoor swim class & a walk to the park!

Today was HOT! Thankfully we had Alexa's first swim class at the outdoor Bethesda pool so we started the day off with a cool off. Alexa fussed a little when we first went in the water, but as she got used to the cold water, she relaxed and enjoyed it. Our little water baby!

We are taking the class with four other babies from my mom's group. Here we are with Avery & Brandon! Not pictured is Ella. We can't wait until next Saturday!

After a long nap following swim class, Alexa and I took a walk to a nearby park. Alexa played on the grass, played with my water bottle and loved being pushed in the swing!

Alexa's new splash pool!

Today was HOT! As in WARM, STICKY, HOT! So we figured it was a perfect time to break out Alexa's new splash pool. I ordered it a month ago from One Step Ahead . We filled it up with water and... Well, she sort of liked it! The water was cold. So, it was a great way to cool down!

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After Alexa cooled down, we hung out on a blanket in our back yard waiting for Grandma E and Pop to arrive! Alexa had some fun with Stan the Man, her new little friend!

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Alexa's first trip to the BEACH!

Alexa enjoyed playing with the tube of sunscreen, an empty water bottle, her sippy and some plastic dolls. Note to self: Buy beach toys to keep her occupied!

Alexa liked the beach... As long as she was in our arms! She loved flying through the air and bouncing.

However, once we put her down so she could get her feet wet in the ocean... Not so much. (Is it bad that even though she is NOT happy, I still think she is so darn cute?!)

She did like playing with her friends!

Last Weekend's Swim Class!

Ooops! Look what we forgot to post. Some more photos of Alexa enjoying her swim class! These are from last Saturday, before she got dolled up to go to the two parties. Enjoy!

Another great day with Grandma E!

Alexa woke up happy, and she was even happier when she got to practice pulling herself up! Look at that smile. What a cutie pie!

She continued the smiles as she downed her breakfast. Yum! She LOVES her teething biscuit, by the way. It's her new favorite thing.

Finally, we headed to Alexa's swim class! Alexa was still not sure what to make of all the water. But this is a great way to get used to it. That way, she'll be right at home in the pool when we visit Grandpa Tom and Grandma Lil!

After swim class, Grandma E and Alexa had a girls night while Mommy went to a baby shower and wedding reception. It was nice to get away, but I missed my Alexa!

Alexa's first swim class!

Wow, only one swim class and Alexa was already doing laps around the pool! Well, sort of. But first, she got dolled up in her adorable swim suit! And her green cover-up. What a cutie pie!

When we arrived at the pool, Alexa was a little nervous. She looked around at all the big kids and was a worried. What's going on? Why am I wearing this weird outfit and what is that big thing (pool) that looks like my bath tub?

We got into the pool and Alexa was still not sure what was going on. She was the youngest baby in the class, but that didn't matter to her! She loved it! Alexa's friend Brandon and his daddy are also in the class. Brandon is two months older, but Alexa tried hard to keep up!

We started out in the shallow part of the pool so the babies could walk around (with our help, of course). Then, we walked them to the deeper water so they could practice kicking. We helped them "jump" off a ledge and float on their back by laying them on our arms. Finally, they got to play with toys! Alexa loves to play with her duckie in her bath, so she went straight for the duckie in the pool!

What a great class. We have another one next weekend! Grandma E will be here, so maybe she'll swim with Alexa or take more pictures!