Jack, our handsome little drink of water

This summer, Jack's had no shortage of things to do & people to play with! He has really turned into a 'big boy' lately...and for one of the first times with him I'm beginning to get that "This is going by too fast" feeling! Over the past few months Jack has embarked on many new adventures, and will eagerly share his experiences with anyone willing to listen! He started the summer off with soccer camp (and unfortunately we don't have pictures to show for it! We've included a few at-home soccer shots...hope they suffice!). Shortly after soccer camp, swimming lessons began and our little shark found his heart in the clear blue waters of Marty pool! I wouldn't be surprised if Jack winds up being a tenacious competitor for a swim team at some point in his life. He was originally enrolled in one session of lessons (two weeks), but enjoyed them so much that we enrolled him for another two! Of course (cough cough--she says in a unbiased way), Jack was the delight of the life guards mornings & did a really great job! (Okay, I guess it's to that point in life for me...I'm actually bragging about my son's mini-achievements! I'm not sure how I feel about this!) At any rate he culminated in a much sought-after graduation from Preschool Lessons, and next summer will be able to start off with the big kids! Seriously, he now 'swims' in the bathtub every night...which is becoming less and less feasible because of his constant growth upwards.

Jack's next adventure will be 'school'! In September he will be starting Preschool at Hillcrest Covenant Church in Prairie Village; he will go twice a week (Tuesday and Wednesday) from 9:30-2:30! Ben is especially going to reap the benefits of this "Jack being away from home" business, as I will be at work. Not that I'm sulking. Jack was hesitant when the idea was first presented, but he's actually very excited now! I still foresee some rough mornings, because he's never been away from us, but I know that soon he will be flourishing and making new friends! We went to the Disney Store this weekend and got him a Power Ranger's lunchbox; he's very excited to take his lunch! He's also interested in the prospect of someone else's toys, & full access to them. I'm sure that it will be a bittersweet transition for the lot of us, but I know that it will be a wonderful opportunity for Jack to grow and for Ben to get some much-deserved free time. He will have Lola, but that's drastically different than the incessant conversation Jack so enthusiastically tenders.

Always a man on a mission, Jack is recently coming off the two cerebral highs: Discovery Channel's Shark Week, and the X-Games. My heart palpitates just a bit when I think of my nearly 4-year old's two occupational goals are--to be a shark bite victim rescuer, and to win a gold medal for Moto-X Freestyle at the X-Games. Sheesh. While I can feel the gray hairs growing on my head, I can actually see them on Ben's head. And that makes me nervous for both of us.