My Fish

So swimming practice started weeks ago before school let out.  I had Madison and Kason going to Swim Atlanta to freshen up on their skills before summer swim team.  I am so glad that I did that.  Kason is towards the top of his group and Madison is in the middle.  She has a bigger gap to fill, since most of these kids take lessons year round.

Madison LOVES swimming, even when she denies it.  How do I know?  She smiles when doing the back stroke.  Sometimes I wish she was in a little more of a hurry during swim meets and races, but she is enjoying herself.  That is what counts!

Kason was and will always be a fish.  He quickly got over his fear of not knowing everything right away (that is just how he is).  He talks to all the coaches and asks them for pointers and tips.  He sometimes swallows a lot of water because he smiles while he is doing the free style.

 
The both are re-learning the breast stroke and butterfly.  Madison swam in a 100 medley relay last week.  Her leg was the fly.  We were all a little nervous, but she did REALLY well.  Kason will get the opportunity this time to do a free style 50 yards, breast stroke and butterfly.  He is  a little nervous, but will do great.  Madison was only assigned to do free and back 25 yards.  At first we were disappointed, but she has a sinus infection and doesn't feel well.  So this is a blessing in disguise!

 I am proud of my kids to give it their best and they both have a positive attitude about swimming (even the morning practices.)  The first swim meet was REALLY chaotic for me.  There were people everywhere.  It was fun because we know so many awesome families there and help cheer for the kids we know.

Weekend Get Away

Mike and I were able to go away for one night to the Biltmore, in Asheville, North Carolina.  It was such a beautiful drive through the mountains.  It makes us feel like home in this part of the USA!  We stayed at the Biltmore Inn, which is located on the grounds.  We were able to tour the house twice by ourselves and even went on a special Butler's tour.  That was our favorite thing.  We learned about how the Biltmore had centralized clocks, call buttons for servants, water pressure of 90 psi, a huge switch board, rechargeable battery stations, a coal fueled furnace which was maned 24/7 during the winter months, and lots more.  The house was finished in 1895!  It had all the wonderful conveniences that we enjoy in our day, they even had 43 bathrooms! 

I love this view of the Biltmore.  The covered patio had amazing Chinese winding trees that have been there for a long time.

I love this tower the most.  It's architectural beauty intrigues me.  The first floor is the library, the second story is a hall way and the third was a master bedroom.

Mike loved this tower the most.  We were just thinking about how far the foundation had to go down to support such a magnificent structure.

Of course we had to walk and walk and walk (love you dear!)  The gardens were beautiful.

Date Night

Mike and I saw the Avengers on Saturday night for our date night.  The boys were SO mad that they didn't get to go.  We loved the movie, great action and humor, and okay for my kids to watch.