Water Girl

Today is Pioneer Day for us Utahns (well, it was. I just realized that it is now well into tomorrow rather than still today). Since Chancho did not grow up in Utah and while living here he has always happened to work at places in Utah that also do not recognize that the 24th of July is a holiday, he never really thought this day was anything to get excited about. The train wouldn't run to take him to work but he had to go anyway.

Pioneer Day has always been fun for me and I have many fond memories of it as a child. Fireworks are sold in Utah the whole month long and I think it is even legal to light them all of July.

Anyway, I was in a celebratory mood and decided to take the kids swimming. String Cheese is such a little Water Girl! She is also so very brave in wanting to try things. She is thrilled that she is tall enough to ride on the water slides (she is extra tall so most kids her age still don't get to ride on them). She will try anything when it comes to water, which is quite different from her attitude towards most other things in life. She can now swim well enough that she can jump off of the diving boards (at the pools we go to, a parent can't catch the child and they can't wear a life jacket. they have to be able to swim the length of the pool before they can use the diving boards). So, my little six-year-old had a fantastic time today doing cannon-balls off the low dive and even braving the high dive! I'm very proud of her!
Of course Deedle and Loumy (with friend Cole) had a great time, too. They are also both good swimmers. Loumy has some really crazy natural ability and Deedle has overcome her fears and is progressing very well.