B S F

  On our way to Tennessee to visit Grammie and Grandpa, the boys and I took the back roads in Kentucky...for a change of pace.  We planned to stop for a hike in BSF Park.  And we had to stop at the Scenic Railway nearby.
   This train is used for passenger excursions, but we timed it a day too early for that.  However, we did get the privilege AND the joy (for two smaller people especially) of seeing a real, live train pass by on the real train tracks right nearby. 

   Later, as we headed to the Interstate after our hike, we also "raced" next to a real moving train as it paralleled the highway.  Oh what fun for two very train oriented little guys!  "Mom, go faster and catch up with it!" "Mom, slow down so we can watch it."  "Mom, where did it go? Oh...there it is! Drive Faster!!!"


Our hike...we traveled off the Interstate.  And we headed into BSF to find a trail.  The trail we found and chose to hike was an Arch.  We didn't know what to expect, but for such a short hike (0.7 miles one way)...it was a just enough to stretch the legs and gave us quite a sight to see!

   I spotted this overlook area and snapped some pictures from this overhead view of where we had been.

   We walked to the  Overlook and saw this view.  But it was too buggy with gnats to stick around and actually eat!  So, we walked back to the car and ate our lunch in the car!  Real troopers, right? :)

The end of swim lessons...

  The boys had their last day of swim lessons last Tuesday, but the month was very profitable in their learning.  Jake started working on backstroke and Joe started trying to keep his face in and move his arms.
Take a look...

Our little fish

They just keep swimming...better and better.  Here are some videos from last week!

In the videos of Joe, you might here him yell "Ready, set, GO!" as he jumps off the side. He also paused and said (because he had goggles on), "I can see your swim suit, Mom!" (as he was under water).  Then, he said, "I can see your hands under water, Mom!"  And, in one video, you'll here him say, "I'm going under water!" because he had finally figured out how to hold his breath (after doing many "bobs" at the wall where he would bob with his head leaned back in an attempt to not get water in his nose...not realizing this was a prime way to get water up his nose).

In the video of Jake, you'll see him swim the whole length of the pool by himself. He finally learned to roll on his back for the breath...and then roll to continue swimming!!!!

Exterior update

Here is what has been going on this week at the house.  Slow, but well worth the final result.

I went outside and Joe was...

...driving Papa's lawn mower

...by himself

...and Papa was a good distance away from him.

And...Joe was doing just fine

...very well actually.

And so cute as he intently steered the big wheel for each turn!

Moving right along...

 As you can see from the pictures below...the boys are enjoying swim lessons...A LOT! 

These pictures are from last week (a little slow...momma's fault).  But they are progressing even more this week...and I hope to get pics and videos Thursday so you can see the progress.

Videos...

A loose tooth and the diving board

   Fortunately these two things are not directly related...but...yes, Jake has a loose tooth.  He was biting off some Legos to get them apart (which we've told him not to do). Later that day, he kept saying his tooth hurt. "Well, was that the tooth you used to bite Legos with?", was my loving response.
   That same night, he said something about the pain like..."it feels like there's a dip by my tooth."  I'm not sure why or how I instantly thought of a loose tooth.  But I asked, "Is your tooth loose?"  He nodded (like he knew what I meant).  So, I checked...and sure enough there was a wiggly little tooth...which did happen to be the same one he bit off Legos with.
   Now Joe is anxious to see Jake get a tooth pulled out. (Jack thought he was going to have to get a tooth pulled out a couple weeks ago and after Debbie explained this to Joe, he was very intrigued.  So, now that's the norm for every tooth issue from Joe's perspective.)  Joe also frequently states that Jake shouldn't have bit those Legos. 
   "My tooth is getting loos-er!"  We'll keep you posted!

 And then there is the diving board.  Can you tell they have NO fear?  Are they having fun?

 And then, Joe!