Finally Cooler Weather!

It was SO hot this summer it is nice to see a change in tempratures. Now that Lagoon is closed we are home a lot more. This was shaping out to be a boring season, but then through my work I get HIGHLY discounted passes to the Clearfield Aquatic Center. We went last week with our friends and had a really good time. I am so amazed with how much growth Jackson has done with swimming. When Lagoon-A-Beach opened he was shy around the water and nervous to go in, and now with support of his life jacket, he jumps right in not caring what the depth happens to be. He is really good at kicking and figuring it out on his own. I am so proud of him. Neither of my kids have really had any structured swimming lessons (Patrick went to a few when he was 3 but learned virtually nothing) and they both have picked up the concept very quickly. Patrick no longer needs a life jacket when he is not in deep water for long periods of time and can swim to the part where he can touch really well. Of course when we go to Pineview or places where touching is iffy he will still wear his jacket. We are going to have a lot of fun this winter but we really look forward to the spring when we can get Lagoon season passes again. This has definitely turned into a family favorite and we will make sure to get them every year! Patrick is turning 9 soon and as cliche as it is, I can't believe he is that old! He has been an amazing strength to me since the day he was born. He is such a sensitive little boy, with the wisdom of someone far beyond his years. We have really become quite close over the last couple years. Well we all have really. I am fortunate to be able to spend as much time with both my boys as I do. Patrick had his SEP (parent teacher conf) this week, and he is continuing to be at the top of his class. He got the equilivant of a 3.95 gpa. He does need to work on his chattiness a little bit but that is to be expected. He is quite shy at first but once he knows you he loves to just chat away. He has made a lot of new friends and doesn't tend to hang around one certain group for years. He has a couple friends that he met in K or 1st grade but mostly he is around those new move ins, or those he hasn't shared a class with befeore. He is doing exceptionally well in science. I'm not too surprised with how much he loved being in OMSI this year learning all about how things work and the science of everything and how it relates to science. He is also doing very good in scouts. He has earned his Wolf (as stated in previous posts) and has gone above and beyond and gotten 4 arrow points as well. He has started his bear (hes done all the extra curricular if you feel like it things, and by "worlds standard" it goes by grade not age) and is even surpassed the other boy in his troop as far as accomplishments go. He has really picked up on this and running away with it. I'm so proud he wants to do it. I promised Patrick when he first wanted to do scouts that I wouldn't push him to get Eagle scout, unless he wanted the pushing. I told him it's HIS eagle not mine, and I will help but not do it for him. I really wish I could give Patrick his baptism for his birthday, but as it's looking now there is no change in his father's decision. We are already gearing up for a heavy cold winter. While we have the few nice days we are getting the yard ready and getting the rest of the leaves up. I know it won't be long before the snow will start flying consistantly. I have half of my Christmas shopping done, and should have all of it done before December. Probably the first time I have EVER done it. I do like to go last minute just to people watch, but I think the boys will have another really nice Christmas. Here's hoping the weather cooperates somewhat so my parents can come daown. Only thing that sucks about them being in WY is the road closures for bad weather. Well, gotta get ready to go to work with Jack, so have a great Fall, and well catch you on the flip side Andrea