More 4th of July

Happy Independence Day!

Fun in the Sun

Swimming 2012

The girls entered the West Chester University swim lessons for a third time this year.  The program is intense and successful.  Making sure each girl is very important to me.  We spend a great deal of time in water throughout the year and having to keep a constant eye on all three is impossible.  Savannah is a good swimmer and joined a local swim team this past winter.  I no longer worry about her.  The twins have been taking lessons all year but neither one got to the point where I was comfortable watching them from afar.

I am proud to say that Lila Grace recently changed her status.  She is a proficient lap swimmer using both backstroke and freestyle. During her lessons over the past four weeks (Monday through Friday - 20 lessons in all), Lila built her endurance and was able to fully swim laps for the entire lesson.  Unfortunately, I don't have great video of her doing so becuase the last week of her lessons, she was running a temp of 101.  She sat out a couple days and attended the last two on a heavy dose of ibuprofen (crazy, I know).  Here is a video of a sick and tired Lila slugging through the water.  On a typical day she looks much better.  I am thrilled that she earned "lap swimmer" status.

Adeline lags behind Lila in the pool.  Her strength and motor movements still suffer from prematurity.  She is much more determined and willing than her twin sister which leads me to believe that she will conquer swimming regardless of her deficits.  Her stroke is coming along nicely but Adeline can't turn her head and "freeze" for a breath.  She still lifts it up which immediately causes her to sink.  She will get it eventually.  I am pleased that she can jump into a deep end and make it back to the wall.  I still keep a constant eye on her in the pool.


The reward for all their hard work is jumping off the diving board.  Adeline was disappointed that she forgot to say, "Cannonball."

Holden Beach 2012

Here are few pictures from our first day at the beach. The kids are always filled with excitement when their feet touch down on the sand for the first time. We didn't change them into suits because it was nearing the dinner hour. Clearly, our plan to keep them dry didn't work.

Of course Miss Lila jumped right in. . . dress and all.

Happy Father's Day

To a Daddy that has three little girls who absolutely adore him!

I took this picture last week as we were walking down the streets of Philadelphia. It is so Alex - Adeline always attached, Savannah near his side, and Lila Grace not far behind.

Daddy ended his special day like this. . .

Gettysburg as a Single Child

We were lucky to have the opportunity to whisk Savannah away for a weekend in Gettysburg.  My history loving, war-intrigued girl got a heavy does of perspective as she walked the battleground.  All three of us were moved by those who gave their lives with a belief that it would someday make life better for others.  It's hard to imagine what goes into that thought process and how it was carried out time and time again.  Fathers, just like Alex left wives and children behind.  Savannah made these connections. 

Our hearts were heavy with thoughts that were hard to reconcile, the math doesn't always work when looking back on history.  It was a strange weekend because while the subject matter was pretty hard to digest, we were loving our time together as a threesome.  We haven't had Savannah to ourselves in years.  She is her own person now, a contributing member of our family.  During our weekend, she required no real supervision, parenting or correction.  We were more or less enjoying each other's company.  Every minute was priceless.

 We all think Lincoln was an amazing guy.  The man had guts and conviction!

 A really tall lookout over the battlefield.

 The view.

 I LOVE this girl!!

 The Pennsylvania Memorial.

 An unexpected treat.

I feel confident that our trip will be forever written in her book of memories.