Hotel pools are seriously a highlight for my kids. I mean….an indoor swimming pool that isn’t too cold and is usually completely empty? And a hot tub to boot? Count us in! So when we went to Texas, one of the high moments for the kids is that they got to go swimming in the middle of February 🙂
Oh man this William kid just does it for me. I mean all the kids do it for me but as my little trailblazer, he is the one that I get to experience the firsts with first. And I totally understand his language. I don’t know exactly what it is – motherly love maybe? but he just has this intensity that I love. He can’t….literally CAN NOT….do anything half way. He’s all the way all the way. And I love that about him. I love that he can’t just jump in a pool….he has to jungle jump like Tarzan pounding the air and water on the way down.
And the best part is – he doesn’t even realize he’s intense. He doesn’t realize that he’s that into stuff….he’s just going for it the way he knows how. He’s accessing the most basic fundamental part of himself. It’s like a switch. And that’s the other thing…he’s very cautious….but you would never know it because once he resolves to do something, he does it with his whole being. I think that’s something to be reckoned with. Something that could change the world.
The things you learn at the pool 🙂
Another thing you learn at a hotel pool….babies and beards are amazingly hot on a man. #justsayin
We have a lot of non-swimmers yet in the family….which makes any pool slightly terrifying. We are working on it but I have a feeling that Weston might be the last to learn to swim. Which is hilarious because he walked earliest and has amazing gross motor skills…..but yeah, the water is his least favorite thing ever.
He will cling to Daddy and refuses to get wet or go under. It’s like his kryptonite. LJ on the other hand is our little daredevil. He scares us the most. And he loves the water. Like I might even start him on lessons this summer because he is open to it. (I know that there are a lot of other philosophies out there about baby swim lessons but as a former swim coach, private swim instructor and lifeguard, I always have stood by the idea that mom knows when the kid is ready to be taught….some as early as infants and some as late as 6. I would recommend to anyone out there that you definitely teach water safety and start swimming as early as possible! Plus – its a perfect photo op!) Here’s my little blue-eyed boys….
Maxi Knight started his little kicking lessons….and man those thighs kill me 🙂
My little water bug 🙂
Will wasn’t excited that he had to go get ready for the wedding. He wanted to swim some more 🙂 I told him that if he saved his money he could buy a pool for our house. It would only cost about $30,000. I won’t charge him for the pool toys 🙂
Oh the sweetest little toes I have ever seen. And I know….I’ve eaten all of them 🙂
This kid and his eyelashes. Seriously. Latisse doesn’t have anything on this guy!
And I love this candid shot. The boys were all talking to one another and it looks like Will is drying Maxi Knight’s face off. Such a big brother thing to do….taking care of the baby like that 🙂
When we asked who loved the pool….
LJ must not have heard us 🙂 He didn’t move though when we said it was time to go. He just wanted to stay in the room with the water.
Even after we got everyone else ready, he didn’t move. He just sat and watched and stared at the movement of the water.
Isn’t it amazing how different kids are? Even from their siblings? It’s such a surprise to me every day….just how different they are. It’s like being in a room with constant miniature surprise parties….each one takes your breath away and is a shock to the system in the happiest way. Even when you think you know….BOOM….they do something uniquely their own and you realize their beauty extends a little deeper…and you fall in love with them a little more. oh man! All of them just are my cup of everything.
LJ with his crazy coloring….that hair will probably change in the future and his eyes are a little different every day….like little blue and gray fireworks….so I definitely need his closeup now 🙂
Also there was this building right outside the pool and it loomed over us and the boys called it the ‘cloud sky-skaper’ – I never would have noticed how gorgeous it looks with the cloud reflections if they didn’t point it out. It’s so obvious but yeah….I needed a bunch of preschoolers to show me.
Hope you guys are having a good spring break! We are currently on Jekyll Island and having so much fun. Weston already got a 24 HR bug and now Will is running a fever though so if you’ll say a little prayer for him, I’d appreciate it. He has this little history of getting sick on vacation! It means a little extra nap time for him and lots of cuddles. Hopefully he will be back to himself soon! Maybe the sea turtles will help :). And if all else fails – we are gonna hit up an indoor hotel pool. Cause you know those are winners!
I have never commented, but I really felt compelled to tell you how much I enjoy your writing (your blog is so pleasant to read) and how you have inspired me to enjoy and appreciate the little moments, and to be more “present” with my own son. Thank you.
I am a Mumma of boys (big ones now boohoo) but I loved your perspective on each of your dudes and that they were like “surprise parties”….that one made me chuckle. Just wait. I adored Jekyll Island a few years back with my guys and for sure the pool at the hotel was a big hit there, as usual, but an even bigger hit were the shrimpers on the dock 🙂 Have a great time!
The sea turtle center is really cool. If you need some cool photo backgrounds go to Driftwood beach at low tide. Makes for good pics. A lot of engagement and wedding pics are taken there.
Isn’t it amazing how the hotel pool is always a hit!
Doesn’t matter how many times you get to swim in them, the kids always think it’s the cherry on top of the vacation 🙂
Hotel pools are the BEST! Our kid’s have actually chosen for their birthdays to get to go to a hotel for a night and swim. We have two kids, so they trade off each year; one of them gets a friend-party, and one of them gets an “experience”. Then next year, we switch. (We still do a little cake just the four of us, and a present to go along with the experience… they just don’t get a big party with their classmates). They have chosen things like bowling, horseback-riding, etc. for their experiences but the most popular option has always been a Homewood Suites night with a nice pool! Especially for our December-baby, so it feels so novel at that time of year!
Looks like a blast! As a kid, my sister and I always loved hotel pool time. It still do to be honest. 🙂
Your family is so beautiful.
The photo of Will jumping into the pool with the orange chairs in the background, is such a beautiful, artful shot!
I have two small boys. Do you have any tips for juggling the camera and the kids at the same time? I find myself taking my camera but never getting it out because I’m always carrying a kid and a million other things.
My mom taught me to swim at 9 months and at a year I could swim the length of the pool. At 42 I still love the water and will swim every chance I get. You are mom, you don’t have to justify anything you do with your adorable boys. Keep up the good work Katie. God Bless.
Great shots! What lens were you using?
Just the cheapo 17-55 stock lens!
xo – kb
Thank you Stacy 🙂
xo – kb
I tend to miss a million photos that I take in my head…so I totally get the frustration. One of my best tips is to make a photo list in your head and carry a big bag to hold everything else 🙂
xo – kb
Aww thank you Jennifer – you know I often need that same reminder so as much as I may be preaching that – I am really preaching it to myself!
xo – kb
That is so fun! I love those ideas!
xo – kb
Those toes are just the sweetest thing! I love this pic & am going to try to recreate it with my kiddos. They only have those sweet, clean little feet for so long. My 4 year old’s toes never stay clean for long so I’ll have to snap this one right after her bath.
It makes me happy to see you rejoicing in your kids, how they are different, how the relate with eachother etc. So much life going on in a big family! Keep up the good work mama!
Beautiful family! I can tell your children are so well loved. I am a mama to 5 little ones..ranging from age 2 months to 8 years old. These are very busy years, but I try to stop what I am doing once and awhile and just enjoy my kids. Or sit back and watch them play for awhile. They grow sooo fast!
Aww – I feel ya. We are busy all the time but those fleeting moments are too precious.
xo – kb
Oh my goodness, that picture of the four boys sitting on the bench by the pool is just so timeless, love it. You somehow managed to make and ugly indoor pool look so beautiful with your pictures. I thought for sure it was going to be a boring post, but I absolutely loved it, just looking at your precious boys and how different they are, loved it!