July: between Ethiopia trips!

July was a hot and sticky month, and we spent most of it in one pool or another. The big kids had swim team practice every morning, and then a swim meet or two every week. They turned out to be little fish! At the end of the year party, they each got a trophy and Vivi got the "most improved" award for her age group! Her and Tonito both had cut about a minute from their first time until the last meet. On the first meet, Tonito stopped to fix his goggles, swam back to his coach, and then across the pool. Then Vivi was a little nervous and stopped to wave and talk to me from the middle of the pool. Either way, by the end of the season they were swimming straight across the pool- a feat I didn't think I would see their first year in swim team!

We had playdates, went on bike rides (only in the early morning or evening!), had kung fu, and did some cooking. We tried to enjoy every minute possible before Ricky would come home.... I have been trying to prepare them for mommy needing to spend extra time with Ricky, for psosible tantrums, lashing out, fighting over toys.. They all say they understand, but we know that living it will be more challenging!