Swim First, Dress Up Later

After swim lessons, the girls wanted to head to the Lake Grove Swim Park (ie. the lake). Last Friday, Gwynn took the test which allows her to swim in all three of the "pools." The first pool is the shallowest with the second pool getting a little deeper. The last pool is where the diving board is. All last summer, I tried to motivate Gwynn to take the test but she never felt quite confident enough. This summer she was ready and did it. Now I can't get her away from the deepest part of the lake. Today was no different. While Gwynn hung out with some friends, I stayed back with Paige swimming in the first pool. We took breaks every now and then to get some sun or watch Gwynn jump off the dock. Paige especially liked getting her picture taken and taking pictures. I see her enjoying photography in her future.

When we got home from the lake, it was time to shower up and get beautified. Tonight was our annual "Girls Night Out." The first year I came out to Oregon, Auntie Mar, Gwynn, Paige, and I enjoyed a dinner at Newport Bay, a restaurant on the water. Because it was just us girls, Gwynn named it "Girls Night." This has become a yearly tradition. The second summer the girls and I went to Cheesecake Factory and last year we enjoyed dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. This year, the girls really wanted to go back to where it all started. We started the night with drinks and an appetizer. Auntie Mar enjoyed a margarita while I went with a Mai Tai. While the girls enjoyed their clam chowder, Auntie Mar and I dipped into some crab and spinach dip. Our entrees came out shortly after, Paige with Grilled Cheese, Gwynn with Linguini and Cream Sauce, Auntie Mar with Pan Seared Scallops, and me with Herb Crusted Halibut. All was delicious (even though service...well...sucked). We ended with desserts, the girls enjoying their chocolate raspberry cake and a couple "tastings." It was a great end to a fabulous night with the ladies. Thanks Auntie Mar for a lovely meal and wonderful company.