Here are videos of the kids swimming at the hotel. The hotel pool has been WONDERFUL for giving the kids great exposure to the water. They have both grown leaps and bounds in their swimming abilities in the time that we have been here.
We have really been enjoying living in the hotel--it's gone much better than I ever expected. The kids are enjoying sharing a room (I actually think Kellan is going to have a hard time leaving Alex!)--he's also getting used to staying up late with her. That's all going to change this week as we get the kids back onto a school schedule! They enjoy having access to a pool anytime they want to use it, and we've had many of their friends over to swim to keep it fun. We have a playground outside of the hotel that we can walk to, as well as some restaurants that we can walk to as well. We often forget we are in a hotel because we use a separate entrance so we rarely see the regular hotel guests, and we are on a private floor so we hardly see or hear anyone on our floor either. Don't get me wrong--I won't miss using a mail cart to take our groceries and bags up 14 floors on the elevator, but it's a good temporary solution.
I have started meal planning (Finally-after 9 years of marriage!) since we've been here, and I'm really enjoying it. I've tried a bunch of recipes that I've acquired from family and friends, and we have found some new favorites! I have slacked a bit this week since Marlon started preseason and isn't around for any meals, but I hope to get back on track in the next few weeks.
Our new house is moving along--the electric, heating and plumbing are done, and the insulation should be finishing up today. The shingles are partially finished on the roof, and the siding and stone are in and waiting to be put on. We picked out our interior stuff earlier this week--the counter tops, floors, and cabinets. In the next 2 weeks we need to select paint colors and lighting fixtures! The progress has moved faster than I anticipated--it's hard to believe that we are over half way through this period of temporary living while we wait for our house to be ready. We are looking forward to having Thanksgiving and Christmas in our new home!
For now we get ready for fall--soccer season is approaching for Marlon--and hopefully for Alex (her team does not yet have a coach). Alex found out her teacher for first grade-we are told she is a yeller-may be good for Alex ;). Her good friend Meredith has a different teacher but a few of her other friends are in her class. Kellan will be starting preschool-2 days a week for a few hours. We're pretty sure his good buddy Hamilton is going to be in his class, which he will really enjoy. I am coordinating our MOPS group this year so I have been busy with planning and getting ready for that to begin. We've had a very busy, very fun summer--and we are excited to see what fall brings!
