Swim Lessons and Soccer Trophies

It was a big week in the Herron household. Jake received his first trophy ever (more on that shortly), and Addi started swim lessons. It's a huge blessing for us that Addi is able to take swim lessons and we are so grateful. Jay had decided that we would have to take the sink or swim approach with her in order for her to learn. I was afraid that she would sink for sure though and really wanted her to have lessons. Fortunately for us, somebody that we know from church owns a swim school near us, and very generously offered to give Addi lessons there for practically nothing. She was so excited to start and was literally counting down the days until her first lesson. I think that a part of the reason for her excitement was because she was going to be doing something that was just for her. It feels like we have gotten to do various things over the years for Jake that have been just for him, but she has never really had that. I loved that she was so excited about it. Here she is at her first lesson...

And, Jake had his last soccer game and his end of the season party last week where he received his long-awaited trophy. He could not wait to get that trophy, and he now often carries it with him around the house, making sure to place it where he can continue to admire it wherever he is. When his coach was passing out the trophies to each player, he would say something about that player and then everyone else had to try to guess who he was talking about. Before handing out Jake's, he said something along the lines of..."This player has really improved a lot this season. When he wasn't smiling and waving to his parents or grandparents or neighbors on the sidelines, or talking to the other players on the field, he played some great soccer." With ZERO hesitation, all of the other players started saying, "Jake, Jake, Jake!" We were always laughing at the fact that he would be out there on the field talking and laughing with anybody who happened to be in his general vicinity - it didn't matter who it was or what team he was on. As I think I've mentioned before, Jake does not know a stranger, and really does not have a competitive bone in his body. He is all about making friends and having fun, and because of that, he loved every second of his soccer games. I'm actually pretty sad that the season is over. I loved watching him out there each week.

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