Swim Lessons

This summer we are trying things different there is a new parenting book on my night stand that is helping cope with the heat, and boredom and crazies of the season. We are swimming!! Well Thing 1 and two are taking lessons. Last year was a bit sketchy when I had all three in the pool at once and tried to keep eveyone's head above water. Thing 2 can tell you some scarry stories so that ended the three "untrained swimming episodes". I am pretty sure we'll be entering the water with a little more confidence this year. And yes, even with all the protective arm floaties I am pretty sure my crew could discover a new method of drowning.

So here we are on the mini swim darts "swim team" which is incredible! I can't wait to see how the next six weeks developes. They love it. I mean... LOVE. IT. You can hear them a block away squealing about what moves they did, and if I had witnessed the spectacular sight of them on a swim noodle. I think I am addicted to this age they are right now. I just want them to always have this much excitement for the things they are doing in life.

The coaching staff caught on really quick to the needs of my Thing 1 and has a "younger male" coach of maybe thirteen assigned to reign him in. I love the fact that I can hear across the two pools and at the top of the bleachers my child's name being called as he is jumping endlessly in the water. Of the 1/2 hour of instruction there is maybe five solid minutes that he is above water listening :) He is more and more like his mother everyday.

Little Boy room Pictures

When I printed these the color came out all crazy. The snake (originally orange) came out all red. They are in the local Baby Shop right now but we'll see if they actually sell :) I can't believe how fun these are. I will have to see what is next maybe a jungle theme :)

I am working on some pictures for my house right now but these are a fun start :)

The last day of Instruction. Mixed emotions.

This post will probably be enormous in length. So bring on the emotional spattering that comes with an extra long post. I am sitting in my car as I wait for my little five year old, Thing two, to go to preschool. She is five and right around the time of her birth was when my Band and I decided it was time for him to finish his education.

The aquiring of an education for me is something of an issue for myself personally. But to watch some one do it with ease and grace has been something wonderful to take part in.

For the past five years there has been struggles, sickness, stress beyond stress, poverty, rice, crazy schedules, pasta, garage sale finds, second hand land, diapers, puppies, beach trips, roller blades, Ebay-ing, baby bracelets, crocheting, digital photography, and did I mention more pasta. I wouldn't a want my kids to endure what I have had to. Only, it has taught me how to survive on a very restricted budget, believe in the impossible, surmount insurmountable odds, and humility. Those are lessons I could have probably learned in a less-intensive-live-action environment, but what would have been the fun in that? So many people have helped us along the way. So many angels have been our companions telling us to keep going and don't loose sight of the goal.

We have known that this day was comming only it's arrival today has been somewhat of a shock. It is like when you finally go into labor and you realize you are taking home a person. A person you just named, and you don't know if she'll end up liking her name. All of this work hasn't been for nothing.

Now it is on to the next step. The horizon is bright because you have a paper that in some cities only 13% of the population have (you know who you are :). This is a tricky next step that is requiring a lot of faith on my part. The reserves of faith have been slower these days to be replenished than I'd like.


Now as I gaze up at a cap and gown that has been hanging in my room for the past two nights I am very aware that this is just a temporary phase and soon I will be looking back at this time with fond memories. That is until he goes to grad. school hahahha. That is a post for another day.

Market of the Farmers on Wed. Nights

It just doesn't get better than this. Summer in this small town means going to the farmers market and playing on the bounce houses, and park structure and merry-go-chuck your-guts.

I have been meaning to get out and do stuff with the kids and this was a last minute all day decision. I meant to go all day but didn't leave til the "last minute". They did great and we even had some fun going on the carousel when they call for the last ride was free!! That is the only way I was going to get all three on there at the same time with our budget these days.