Monday, July 30, 2007
Swim Lessons
Jack has been taking swim lessons this summer and loving them. We stumbled upon a really great lady who teaches at her home and lives literally 3 minutes away. She is very patient, but firmly coaxes Jack to try new things. He’s getting more used to the water and becoming braver, little by little. His teacher, Miss Heather, makes it fun with lots of games, bubble sticks and water toys. It’s neat to watch him learn this skill.
Kicking
Floating on his back in the life jacket
Sitting on the steps with all the toys. Miss Heather uses these buckets to “water” him and help him get used to his head being wet. He’s not thrilled with it, but he’s learning to take it in stride.
This is his favorite - the torpedo shark that he can zoom through the water
Take a risk! Jump on in!
A Nice Day
This morning the kids and I went down to the mall in Temecula. It has a nice indoor play area, as well as a large outdoor courtyard with a fountain, little rides, and even a train. We spent about three hours there, just looking around and playing, eating lunch, and then playing some more. There was no errand agenda, just wander here, there and everywhere. It was so great to be out with one objective in mind - enjoy ourselves! We went up and down the escalator about 10 times because Jack was getting the hang of it and thought it was great fun.
Abby holds on for dear life on the motorcycle carousel
Jack was hesitant at first, but then loved it
This helicopter was a favorite. We were lucky - it was on the fritz and we got two free rides out of it!
Inside the mall - Jack was very friendly with another little boy who had a toy car. They enjoyed running it around the whole play area.
So, driver, where we headin’?
I suppose I had a divine appointment while we were there. For the last several months, Linda (my mother in law) has been trying to introduce me to one of my neighbors down the street that she teaches with. For whatever reason, we’ve never really met, but I knew about what she looked like and that she and her husband have one son and just adopted twin newborns, a boy and a girl. While I was watching the kids play, I noticed this lady also watching her son play and keeping an eye on her double stroller. Hmmmm….so I went up and asked a few questions. Sure enough, we’re neighbors. We live 2 minutes apart, but it took a trip to the mall at just the right time to get us to meet. It will be nice to have a neighbor to say more than just hello to!
All in all, a really fun morning. I love summer days like today!
I also love when my daughter greets me like this after her nap time. What could be better?!
Friday, July 27, 2007
An Apple a Day
It doesn’t keep the doctor away!
Jack went to the doctor yesterday for his 4 year old checkup. Yes, yes, I know he turned four way back in April, but this was the first appointment available when I called around his birthday. I’ve already made a note in my calendar to call to set up his 5 year appointment in January! Anyway, he weighed in at 32.5 pounds and measured 40 1/4 inches tall. That puts him in the 12th percentile for weight and the 27th percentile for height. The whole visit felt like a test, for both of us, and honestly it was kind of fun. Jack did a hearing and vision test (pass, pass), and then when the doctor came in she had him draw some shapes (he’s not much of a drawer, so we lost some points there), asked him questions (“My name’s Jack and I’m four!”) and had him show her his motor skills by jumping on one foot. Then it was my turn.
Doc: Does anyone smoke in the home?
Me: No.
Doc: Oh, good! Does he know how to ride a tricycle?
Me: Oh, yes. He loves to ride his bike.
Doc: Does he wear a helmet?
Me: Yes. (So far, so good!)
Doc: How’s his eating?
Me: Pretty good, except he doesn’t eat meat, except for the occasional chicken nugget. (Lost a couple points there.)
Doc: Oh…well, how about peanut butter, eggs or milk?
Me: Peanut butter’s a staple and he’ll eat scrambled eggs. And he loves his milk. (I think I got the points back.)
Doc: Fruits and vegetables?
Me: Yes. He doesn’t eat everything, but he likes a lot of them.
Doc: Does Jack know how to swim?
Me: No, but he’s in lessons this summer.
Doc: Great! Do you have a pool?
Me: No.
Doc: Oh, good! Is he in preschool?
Me: No.
Doc: Oh, okay. You’re teaching him at home. Fine…
And on it went. I think we passed. I had both kids with me and it went so much better than expected. I was really prepared for Abby to throw some major fits because I had to wake the poor child up from her nap to make the 3:00 appointment. But she was remarkably happy, and while I did use my stash of books and snacks, both kids waited patiently and followed directions and just were the normal good kids that they are. I was proud of them both. Unfortunately for Jack, he did have to get two shots. Of course it hurt, and he’s still telling me today how he didn’t like “that pinch” at the doctor’s office, but he only cried for a couple of minutes. Here he is showing off his Bandaids. This was the first time he was big enough to get them in the arm.
I told him to show me his muscles, and this is what I got. Sore arms!
However, this was the activity of choice later that evening. He’s feeling better!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
iPhone
What an amazing piece of hardware. I like it more and more each day that I use it. In fact, I’m posting this from it right now. The only thing I wish it had was the ability to upload pictures to a web server but it more than makes up for that with the millions of other things it does better than every other handheld device out there.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Flower Girls
Our nieces were in a wedding last weekend. What cuties! This past visit I felt like I finally made progress determining who was who, so I think I have the right names captioned. But tell me if I’m wrong, guys!
I wish I could still pull off a purple flower wreath, but for some reason it’s just not cute on me anymore! I guess I’ll leave it to the experts.
Emily and Katy
Katy and Emily, although I have no idea who the bride and bridesmaids are. They sure look beautiful! I do know the bride is a friend of Brian and Laura’s.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
A Roof Over Their Heads
My parents just replaced the roof on their house. I never noticed its condition before, but is looks so much better now. I’m so impressed with the difference. As it was being done, my Dad said random neighbors walking by would tell him, “Wow! It’s looking great!” And it really does. Check out the before and after.
Before:
After:
Friday, July 06, 2007
Trying So Hard to be Naughty
Embracing the fact that she’s now two, Abby had a nice little tantrum today. She threw herself onto the floor this afternoon, screeching and flinging her arms wide open. For some reason I bent over her and said, “Abby, I love you.” Eyes glaring, in her most defiant voice she hollered back, “NO! I wuv you!” All I could do was laugh.
Oh, sweet daughter. I do love you.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Favorite pics from recent family visits
Just thought I’d drop in and post some of my favorite pictures that I’ve taken recently when we had family visiting.
Here’s Abigail:
Several of the kids with my niece Ali in the foreground:
Jack:
Ali again:
One more Ali:
Jack (in the last 6 months he’s developed these “special” looks—maybe I’ll make a post with some of them):
Normal Jack:
And last but not least, my niece Emily:
Monday, July 02, 2007
Kudos
Congratulations, Tim!
