Day 3

Today started with me having a little pep talk with Lillie telling her that if she didn't try new things, she would never know if she liked it or not, could do it or not.

Then it was off to swimming lessons. "All Aboard!!" Lillie played middle cabin on the swimming train. "Whoo Whoo! Chugga, chugga. Chugga, chugga. Whoo, Whoo!"

Lillie's trying to get the hang of being on the noodle "by herself"...sort of.
Then there was a little kicking while on her back.

"Look Mommy! I'm doing it!" was heard MANY times today!

And then the BIG surprise...Lillie swam SOLO!! Yippee!!

Good form, Rocket!

Then the races began!

A few more jumps in the pool...with head completely submerged.

Back to practicing on the noodle.

"Uhhh, I think drank a little water?!?!"

A little swallowed water never hurt anyone, right?!?! ha ha Tomorrow's the last day (remember I mentioned, this was a CRASH course), so stay tuned!

Day 2

I apologize for the terrible pictures. I forgot my camera on Day 2, so I had to resort to taking pictures with my phone. Oh well, you'll get the idea.

So Day 2 we had more clinging going on, but Lillie was sure having fun.

The girls had Lillie jump in the pool, which she was a little hesistant about...well, she was pretty hesistant about everything at first.
Then the challenge was jumping in and letting her head go underwater

Yesiree, that's the top of Lillie's head IN the water! Yea!

She practiced floating again, but this time she was told to put her hands above her head like a rocket and push off the wall and glide.

My little Lillie Fish is having a BLAST!!

June 18-19th was our stake conference. It was a "grueling" weekend as we prepared our home, the stake center, talks, and ourselves for two general authorities. Not sure why we only took pictures with one, but this is Elder and Sister Packer (President Packer's son) and the other visiting authority was Elder Bluth. With so many visitors, they actually opted to stay at the nearby hotel near our home, instead of with us. However, we were able to sit and talk with all of them as they came over for brunch before the Saturday meetings. The conference was wonderful, but between webcasting to most of the buildings in our stake for the first time AND having general authorities visiting, you'll have to ask Keola if he's recovered!

This isn't a great picture (taken with my ipod touch!), but it was so cute, I had to include it. After Sunday's meetings, and a long weekend for us, Lillie was SUCH a good girl and quite entertained by the William's boys (Keola's 1st counselor's sons). They were making a homemade battleship game - quite creative huh??!?!

Let's Take a Dip!

Lillie has REALLY enjoyed her bath time! So, when teenage sisters advertised that they were giving swimming lessons this summer, Lillie let us know that she was interested.

Day 1...can you tell?!?!

It took a little time, but Lillie finally trusted the girls to take her to the "deeper" end.
After those few minutes, she was ready to go! Kicking with her noodle.

This took a little time too, but she tried it...floating!

Notice the death grip on the girls neck. Ha ha!

Then she REALLY got the hang of it - kicking her legs and "scooping ice cream" with her arms.

So much fun!! Stay tune for Day 2!

In May, the youth in our stake had a sailing activity. Living on the Chesapeake Bay, many members of our ward/stake are sailors. So they
generously offered their time and their boats to take about 100 people on a little sailing trip on the bay. We had gone sailing on an earlier activity, so the 3 of us decided to stay on land. Lillie didn't mind, since the home had a swimming pool. Even without a swimsuit, Lillie found a way to get her feet wet!

Well, I hate to say it...but Kindergarten is over!!

Can you believe it?!? We can't! The year went by so quickly and now my little girl is almost a First Grader! Say it isn't so!

The day before school ended, Lillie's class had a little celebration where her class sang a few songs.

Lillie read us two stories.

She showed us some of her work.

And each student received a certificate. Lillie Bug (the nickname her teacher gave her) got a certificate for being a future author and illustrator. Her teacher praised her for her great writing, storytelling, and drawing skills.

Today was the last day of school and Lillie got out half day. So as soon as she got home and unpacked her backpack, what was the first thing she did...

organized her cabinet!! She is SUCH her father's daughter!!

Congratulations, Lillie on a GREAT Kindergarten year!!

During a holiday, Lillie and I headed to the park for a little play time. She's so proud that she learned how to swing all by herself.

In action. I wish I got a shot of how high she goes!
When we got home, she continued exploring outside. She LOVES collecting things - mostly from nature. If she's not collecting pebbles, she's looking for flowers, and today it was leaves.

Hello, Easter Bunny!

Ok, so remember back in April when I mentioned something about "JUST IN CASE I don't post before Easter..." Well, who knew Easter would pass, along with May!! So here we are trying to play catch up.

Easter was very fun for the Sakai's this year. Along with getting treats sent from far, we had an Easter party at the bishop's home. Lillie was ready to go from the start.

"Oh yeah!!"

The day began with some games. The much anticipated egg and spoon relay.

Then the VERY fun 3-legged race.

Lillie chose Maddie, an 8 year old from church.

They were the perfect match! Slow and steady was the name of the game!

Then, the HILARIOUS egg toss game. The 5 & 6 year olds were a far cry from being crowned "Most Coordinated"!! ha ha

"Whoooaaaa!"

After the games, Lillie found her own little hideaway.

Then, to end the activity...

"On your mark. Get set. GO!!!!"

And off they went, looking for eggs.

No leaf was left unturned, and no nook or cranny was left uninspected.

Happy Easter All...two months late!!