For Memory's Sake

There are a few things that I have etched in my memory from our trip to Hawaii that I would like to record so that I can look back in time and remember these things.

The first was the pure joy of watching T learn how to swim.  We started at the beginning of our 2 weeks, like we usually do, with the floaties on the kids' arms.  It was only a day or so into the trip that he was asking to swim "all by himself" (meaning NO floaties!).

Off they came and he quickly learned how to tread water and even swim under the water.  Having grown up in Southern California swimming at the ocean, my friends' and grandparent's pool ALL the time, I was THRILLED to have our little boy share this same love for swimming as I have always had.

T's gigantic smiles as he would surface equaled the pride in my heart!

The second memory I would like to record is watching P discover the power and majesty of the ocean.

Now, it probably goes without saying that he was FEARLESS when the waves would come.  We always made sure that someone was there with him, however, there were times when waves would really knock us over...those times only made him hungry for MORE!!

His little life jacket was a great investment, (although it probably added to his ever-growing sense of invincibility!).

And to my amazement, although our 2 boys are as different as night and day in looks and personality, P seemed to share very similar expressions as T had when we had gone 2 years earlier.  (Side note: T and P were exactly 2 years and 10 months in Hawaii -- only 2 years apart in time!)

Here are some pictures of both boys at 2 years and 10 months to compare the expressions and body language (note the open hands!):

                                          

P in '08 and '10 -- Sand in the eyes, Some expressions never change!  :)