Solo

Sophia is definitely not Bella's idea of a fun swim mate. She is extremely aggressive in the water - much to Bella's dismay. She seems to enjoy making Bella scream -- I say this as she was usually smiling as she was grabbing. 

I think Bella likes to swim solo. 

Unfortunately, this summer, Bella and Sophia have to swim at different times. Sophia just gets too wound up in the pool and Bella spends all of her time trying to get away from Sophia. I miss them getting in together, but after only two tries it just didn't seem to work out. Water sure makes Sophia come alive!

Pool Fun?

Granddaughter, Reagan, visited yesterday while her mom ran to the gym. I thought she and Bella might like to get into the little pool on our deck. So, I took off their clothes, got the swim diapers on them and put them in. I could see immediately that Reagan loved the water. 

Bella is a little more timid than Reagan when she first gets into the pool. She has to warm up to the experience. Reagan jumped right in and got started splashing water everywhere -- but, especially on Bella. 

Bella was ok at first -- for maybe a couple of minutes.

It didn't take her long to tire of the splashing game -- especially since she was the one getting all of the splashing. 

One of them was having fun even if the other one wasn't. 

Bella tried to get a little revenge, but she wasn't very good at it and Reagan couldn't have cared less.

I know at least one of them had a blast. Reagan ended her pool time with a popsicle.

Graduation

On Thursday the 9th of July our daughter, Emily, graduated from the Henrico County Police Academy. This was a long and grueling process that started last fall. We are so very proud of Emily and know that she worked so hard for this. 

We are so proud of you, Emily!

This first picture is during the ceremony. I'm not sure who took the picture, but I ended up with it and it is almost the only one I have of the actual ceremony. Emily is the third from the end (right side).

I really like this one of Emily -- it shows her personality! Her good friend took it in the car after the graduation. She was obviously happy that it was finally graduation day.

Sarah is crazy about Emily and actually enjoyed the graduation -- even though it was kind of long. As soon as she saw Emily she ran to hug her.

Her brother, Michael, got this picture of her yesterday after church and sent it to me.

Young Life Camp

Abigail has been at Young Life Camp (Rockbridge) for the past five weeks. She is finally back home and I am so glad -- I really missed her. She volunteered at the camp -- work crew. She was a server in the dining hall and worked all three meals every single day. She loved it! 

Abigail injured her foot while working and so did her friend -- they were boot buddies.

The dining hall that she worked in each day. Sure were a lot of tables!

Abigail and a new friend she met -- Janie.

Western night at camp. 

I understand that Young Life has a camp for kids with disabilities -- Capernaum. Caroline would love it and Sarah would hate it. 

Summer

I'd give all wealth that years have piled,

The slow result of Life's decay,

To be once more a little child

For one bright summer day.

Lewis Carroll

Granddaughter - Reagan