Cooper Adventures: Summer Fun!

I love Summer! Grilling, swimming, water balloon fights, parades, family reunions, and lots of great memories created. We came home from England about a month and a half ago and "dove right in" to all the summer things we do. Pun intended! Laura signed up for swim team even though it was only for the second half of the season, Jacob signed up for diving and swim lessons, and Daniel signed up for his first swim lessons. We are also finishing up homeschool. Heather has all her classes, but is rapidly completing them and is getting straight A's. The others just have math and will be done in time before summer ends. (I hope!)

Daniel loved getting in the water everyday and playing the little games they play for preschool swim lessons. He did well and passed, but needs to work on getting his head ALL THE WAY under. He was just a bit timid with that. I should mention that he is reading now too. But we need to practice more. Things will calm down when school starts. That doesn't have anything to do with swim lessons, but I thought I would throw it in:)

Jacob did well and passed swim lessons. Diving is another story. It was challenging for him and he never really got it. The poor kid had a red tummy after each lesson. (belly flops!) He never wants to take it again. I want him to learn, but not if it lowers his confidence even more. He seemed happy during the lessons though. We'll see.

Laura has done really well with swim team. She hasn't placed in the top three yet, but considering her circumstances, she has done well. She came into the season midway through completely out of shape and she aged into a higher level and longer workouts. Normally she is playing softball when swim starts and has played basketball and soccer during the year. She hasn't mastered all the strokes yet though. She excels in the Freestyle and is improving with the Butterfly. She has a very strong upper body (Like the incredible hulk strong! She helped Scott move our furniture) and seems built for the Butterfly. She says she doesn't like it but I think she just doesn't like being told to do it by her coaches or whoever. Stubborn. For the final county meet this week she is only planning on swimming the Freestyle. She has so much ability, natural strength, and talent. I hope she changes her mind as she matures. The main coach this year is all work no play. Not a good strategy when dealing with kids--even teens and the coaches are just high school grads themselves. Laura has become bored, but still likes to swim and plans on signing up next year. It's hard to take pictures of kids swimming, but here are a few. There are also some pictures of Jacob at Pack Night and having a water balloon fight.

Laura and Ryan all wet.