My Little Awakening

This is a post I posted almost a year ago. I commented on Audra's blog today and thought I would link to the original post in case anyone wanted to read it. Here it is.

A-Z

A - Attached or single? Attached!
B - Best Friend? Marcos, mom, sisters, Lisa
C - Cake or Pie? probably chocolate cake, but I love brownies and banana cream pie too
D - Day of Choice? Saturday (it's the one day I can sometimes sleep in)
E - Essential item? pajamas
F - Favorite color? blue
G - Gummy bears or worms? bears
H - Hometown? Pleasant View
I - Favorite Indulgence? blogging
J - January or July? July (although I prefer spring and fall to summer and winter)
K - Kids? 2 boys
L - Life isn't complete without? fun
M - Marriage Date? June 25
N - Number of brothers and sisters? 3 sisters
O - Oranges or apples? oranges
P - Phobia or fear? heights
Q - Quote? When life gets too tough to stand, kneel.
R - Reasons to smile? silly kids, sweet husband, clean kitchen
S - Season of choice? fall
T - Tag 3 people: Lau T, Laura P, Audra F
U - Unknown fact about me? I used to be on a jumprope team
V - Vegetable? squash
W - Worst habit? complaining
X - X-ray or Ultrasound? What is this question? I've had both, x-ray of my broken arm and ultrasounds because of pregnancy. Or does it mean which one is preferred. Weird. But I should probably get an x-ray of my knee if it doesn't get better.
Y - Your favorite food? pasta
Z - Zodiac sign? Virgo

My Knee

I just wanted to share with all of you the effects of my clumsiness the other day.  My knee is huge!  The pictures don't do it justice, but you get the idea.  It looks like I have another kneecap underneath my kneecap.  It's so sore!  It's big enough that if I try to bend it, the skin cracks open.  Hopefully the swelling goes down before this weekend so I can get some good waterskiing in!  

The Missing Pillow Case

I went to bed a couple nights ago and found one of my pillows was missing its pillow case.  Hmm...  I went to track it down and sure enough, Dylan was using it as a sleeping bag.  You never know with that kid.  One night he was sleeping under Preston's crib, many nights he wakes up on our floor.  I don't know why he's such a weird sleeper, but if my pillow case helps him feel secure at night, I guess I'm okay with it.

Soccer Boy

As promised, here is my little boy all decked out in his soccer uniform.  Marcos left the first parent meeting and said, "I can't believe he's playing soccer now.  I've been waiting so long for this."  It's totally his dream to have his kids play soccer.  Hopefully they like it so he won't be too disappointed.  For now Dylan is super excited to get all dressed up and run around chasing a ball.  We'll see how the season goes.  

Game On

Type only ONE word. It's harder than you think!!!

1. Where is your cell phone? upstairs
2. Your significant other? loving
3. Your hair? straight
4. Your mother? understanding
5. Your Father? handyman
6. Your favorite thing? snuggling
7. Your dream last night? none
8. The room you are in?  disorganized 
9 Your favorite drink? diet mt dew
10. Your dream/goal? happiness
11. Your fear? heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Utah
13. Where were you last night? gym
14. What you're not?  patient
15. Muffins? blueberry
16. One of your wish list items? minivan
17. Where you grew up? Pleasant View
18. The last thing you did? read
19. What are you wearing? capris
20. Your tv? on
21. Your pet? fish
22.Your computer? mac
23. Your life? chaotic
24. Your mood? blah
25. Missing someone? hubby
26. Your car? running
27. Something you're NOT wearing? makeup
28. Favorite Store?  Old Navy

29. Your summer? busy
30. Your favorite color? blue
31. When was the last time you laughed? afternoon
32. Last time you cried? yesterday
33. Who will re-post this? Laura

Happy 30th Birthday To Me!

The picture doesn't do it justice - it was awesome!

Decorations on the garage

Angie's poster

Melissa's poster

Funny, real funny

More decorations

Blowing out the candles

Laughing at the card my mom bought

I've been thinking about this day for WAY too long.  Something about turning 30 made this birthday more like a countdown than a celebration.  Like I was leaving my youth behind as I entered into my 30's or something.  Not that I thought it was going to be all doom and gloom, but I was a little apprehensive about the whole turning 30 thing.  I have to say, I was dead wrong about the whole thing.  For one, I don't feel any older today than I did yesterday.  Also, it was just a very cool birthday weekend (I guess that's the one advantage to having your birthday fall on a Sunday - you get to spread out the celebrations a little bit more).  

Friday, my visiting teacher/friend, Courtney, had three of us over to her  house for a luncheon.  We all have birthdays within the same week so it worked out nicely.  One girl turned 29, I was turning 30 and the other girl was 31.  Kind of cool.  Anyway, she made a delicious chicken pasta salad and homemade breadsticks.  It was so good!  We also had mint oreo pie for dessert, which was just as tasty as the rest of it.  It was fun to be able to let the kids play and just visit and be treated to a yummy lunch for our birthdays.  Thanks, Courtney! 

Saturday I got home from the gym and Marcos had brought in the mail.  I had like 4 or 5 birthday cards from friends and family all expressing how much they love me and how they celebrate my birth.  It was so sweet and that I couldn't help but get choked up a little bit.  Right then and there my big birthday moment changed.  Instead of counting down the last moments I had to be a 20-something, I started counting my blessings.  I don't know why it hit me so hard, but it did.  I am so lucky to have been born.  I was born in a country where I'm free and have choices, where I can be who and what I want to be.  I was born into the church, where I was taught that I am a child of God, who loves me.  I was born into a family who loves me, teaches me, and has always been there for me.  As I have grown, I have been blessed with opportunities for learning and education, for experiencing the world, for meeting others and learning to appreciate their uniqueness.  I was blessed with friends both old and new who take care of me, who listen to me and are there for me when I need them; friends who let me whine more often than I should and who understand the need for girl time.  I have a husband who loves me, helps me, appreciates me, and walks hand in hand with me through this often confusing journey we call life.  I have two beautiful boys who teach me patience and love and joy and sorrow.  I am healthy.  My often complained about body can climb mountains and still run miles afterward; can plant and harvest a garden; can usually keep up with two busy boys; and can even shake it a little in Body Jam :)  It is amazing to me just how blessed I feel today.  Thirty years ago I entered this world to be tried and tested and to learn and grow.  It is truly an awesome thing.

After my little awakening, I went back to real life.  Dylan had a birthday party (a pajama party) to go to at 4:00 so Marcos was going to take me out to celebrate after we picked up Dylan.  Marcos' mom was going to tend, but my mom called and offered to come watch the kids at our house so they could get to bed a little earlier and then we could just go out here in town and not have to go to Salt Lake.  She came over at 6:30 and was here when I came back from picking up Dylan.  I have to mention that I had a very clutz-like moment.  Maybe it's my age after all.  On my way back from the birthday party, I totally twisted my ankle and fell down pretty hard right on my knee.  It's one of those moments where you pray that not too many people were watching.  Today my knee is swollen and purple so for sure it was a good fall.  Dylan thought we would have to call the doctor since I was not exactly brave about the whole ordeal.  Anyway, my mom stayed with the kids and we went to buy movie tickets and head out for dinner.  We had a few movies on the list that we would like to see, but we were trying to make everything work out so we wouldn't be too late getting back home.  We ended up purchasing tickets for the 8:20 showing of Mama Mia.  Then we headed over to Boston's for some tasty pizza.  We rarely eat out so we had to get some recommendations even here locally for restaurants, but it was a really good choice.  Marcos was so cute about doing whatever I wanted to do, but I could tell he was really excited about trying the mozzarella sticks so we even ordered an appetizer (something we never do).  Anyway, everything was delicious and the timing was great.  We were there with plenty of time to get good seats, but weren't waiting forever.  I really liked the movie and I think Marcos did too.  I kept looking over to try to read his expressions, but I couldn't tell for sure.  I think it may have been a little too "musical" for him, but he was a good sport about it.  We drove home to relieve my mom and were completely surprised to see the lawn and yard all decorated with posters, balloons and banners for my birthday.  My mom and sisters had a little conspiracy going the whole time.  So it wasn't just an offer to babysit.  That way they knew when we would be coming home.  I have to admit, I couldn't stop smiling.  We really haven't done much for our birthdays since we've been married.  There's always something else going on in the summer and it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but being surprised with something so big was so much fun.  I was smiling from ear to ear all night long.  I watched several neighbors pull into the cul-de-sac and slow down to read the posters.  So now everyone knows how old I am, but I guess that's okay - it's just a number, right?  Thanks girls and mom!  You're the best!  

This morning was a regular Sunday.  I got a couple of phone calls before church wishing my a happy birthday, which was nice.  Then we got ready for church and did our best to survive.  Dylan had a hard day so it seemed very Sunday-like to me.  Preston went to nursery for the first time though and did awesome.  Marcos made sure everyone knew it was my birthday so I got quite a few birthday wishes from members of the ward.  After church, we took Dylan on a drive to give him a nap and put Preston down in his crib.  Last night, Dylan woke up with welts all over  his body, which we figured was probably some sort of allergic reaction.  The problem now is we have no idea what the reaction came from.  He just didn't sleep well and overall has just had a rough week.  Anyway, the naps definitely helped us prepare the kids for a fun birthday dinner.  They would've been way too grumpy without them.  Then we headed up to my mom's house for a BBQ at 3:00 p.m.  We had hamburgers and fruit and veggies.  It was delicious!  They had all sorts of decorations for the party, which made it extra fun.  We had a key lime pie and everyone sang to me.  Before I could blow out the candles, the kids had the job done for me so we lit them again to see if I could really get 30 blown out by myself.  I did it, but barely.  Good thing we have lots of help at our house.  It was a fun afternoon hanging out with family and enjoying the day.  Mom and Barney gave me some cute silver earrings and of course some money to spend.  Wa-hoo!  I also got a check from my dad and Suzanne, my Grandma Betty and Grandma and Grandpa St. George.  Thanks everyone for helping make this such a memorable birthday!  I love you all!

SUSPECT APPREHENDED

The alleged hairbrush thief has been apprehended and is temporarily being detained in the family room.  The blue hairbrush has been recovered, but was left behind with significant damage to it.  It appears the suspect bit into the gel grip handle, leaving the hairbrush oozing some sort of foreign goo.  The deserted hairbrush was key to finding the alleged hairbrush thief.  In an attempt to escape, he mistakenly shut himself in the playroom and was unable to flee.  Authorities found the suspect alone, crying for help.  When asked about the robbery, suspect seemed sure of his response, but spoke rapidly in a language foreign to all interrogators.  Authorities are still looking for a translator that may be able to aid in the communication with the suspect.  Until then, the motives behind a short, bald man stealing a blue hairbrush remain a mystery. 

WANTED: Hairbrush Thief

LOST

Blue hairbrush with gel grip handle 

SUSPECT

Gender: Male

Hair: Bald/blonde

Eyes: Brown

Height: 32 inches

Weight: 25 pounds

Witnesses describe the suspect's walk as very unique - almost like a duck waddle.  He is quick and has been known to run from authorities.  The said crime is a repeat offense with no known motive.  If anyone has seen either the hairbrush or the suspect, please inform authorities as soon as possible.  

What A Day!

Holy cow!  It's been one of those long, crazy days - you know the kind that you're just grateful to have survived.  Let me see if I can recap this eventful little day for you.  Hmm... it was a pretty tame, usual day until right about lunch.  I played with the kids, bathed and dressed them, put Preston down for a nap, read books with Dylan and then let him have a movie on while Preston finished his nap.  Marcos decided he would come home around lunch time so we could buy Dylan some chin guards and maybe cleats for soccer.  He wanted to be a part of the whole soccer-buying process.  While Dylan was watching his movie, I was doing food storage calculations on my little notepad.  Don't ask.  I get on these crazy kicks.  One of the ladies in the ward who is in charge of food storage was supposed to come talk to me about it and I never called her back last week (not on purpose...I just didn't get around to it).  Anyway, she sent a binder of info home with Marcos yesterday.  I was feeling guilty for not calling her and wanted to know what it said so I started reading the material and got WAY into meal planning and calculating all of our yearly needs.  It's kind of overwhelming.  Sorry, back to the story.  So I was planning breakfasts and talking about oatmeal and pancakes and Dylan decides he wants pancakes for lunch.  Oh wait, no he wants waffles.  Then he reminds me he wants waffles like his great grandma makes.  He still remembers Grandma's waffles from our last St. George trip.  That kid has an impeccable memory.  

I don't even know where to put the paragraphs in this never-ending day so here's a new one just to break up the story a little bit.  I go up to the kitchen and start making waffles.  Marcos gets home and the two of them eat while I finish cooking.  Preston wakes up and Marcos decides we don't have time to feed him so I bring his waffle with me in the car and try to reach back to give him little bites.  He was happy about it so no big deal.  We decide against Bountiful and settle for the mall.  Dylan asked me to carry him in the mall and I told him that he was big enough to walk (it seems insignificant now, but it's not).  We go into the sports store and look for cleats, but the smallest size they have is a 13 and Dylan is an 11-ish right now.  I figured a 12 was pushing it.  We did find some chin guards though so we went to purchase those only to find out that one of the sleeves was missing.  Ah, man.  The lady goes to find another pair and Preston decides it's time to do his business.  Of course we hadn't brought anything with us so I send Marcos to the car for the changing pad, a diaper and wipes.  Marcos gets back with the gear and I head to the bathroom to change a diaper while Marcos and Dylan go looking at other shoe stores for cleats.  What a disaster!  It was one of those disgusting blow-out diapers where poop is just everywhere.  Gag!  I begin shedding clothes, wiping, cleaning... you get the picture.  It was horrible.  Poop on his clothes, his body, the stroller.  I had no choice, but to wrap up his clothes in the changing pad (that thing is awesome by the way) and put my baby back in the semi-poopy, super-smelly stroller with a diaper, socks and tennis shoes on.  Yep, I was the ghetto mom you see at the mall and wonder how her kids survive.  The crazy mom who brings a baby to the mall in nothing but a diaper.  

We made our way home and I cleaned Preston up properly.  Then I pulled out the stroller, got out my cleaning supplies and started scrubbing.  I don't know how you're supposed to clean the cloth on an umbrella stroller, but if all my cleaning products bleach out the fabric, so be it.  I needed to feel I had properly sanitized everything.  In the meantime, Marcos has looked up the name of a soccer store in Clearfield and sends me to go buy cleats because he's got to get back to work.  He gives me directions and takes off.  I reload the kids and set off on my way.  I should have enough time to buy cleats, get the kids a snack, change Dylan into his uniform (he insists on wearing a uniform to his practice - just ask Marcos who dealt with his ridiculous meltdown Tuesday) and get to soccer practice.  Okay, we can do this.  I follow Marcos' directions and get nowhere.  Dylan, sensing my anxiety, starts freaking out and yelling something about being lost and are we going to find our way home.  Hello, we're not THAT lost.  I retrace my steps and try again, but nope, there's no soccer place anywhere in the area.  I called him, but he was in a visit so I tried to think of a backup plan while I waited.  I even called my sister to see if she could look it up.  I was pretty sure he said the store started with a P.  Nope, I didn't have a name or an address, just weird directions.  My sister didn't answer though.  I called to tell Marcos I needed help getting there and left the message on his machine (or so I thought).  It turns out I actually left the message on my sister's voicemail.  Man, I must have had a really bad day.  I couldn't even concentrate on who I was calling or talking to.  Duh!  

I finally decided I needed a plan B.  What time is it?  3:40.  So half-priced slush for happy hour at Sonic it is.  Wa-hoo!  Just as I pull out of Sonic, Marcos calls back to ask if I have cleats yet.  Of course he didn't get my message so he has no clue I'm lost.  He gives me better directions, I meet him there and we buy some fabulous cleats and a ball.  I head back home to get the kids a quick snack, dress Dylan and get up to the park.  Dylan is having some sort of a fit and I am worried now that this is all about attention and we're going to have a pretty crazy season of soccer (or decide not to do it at all).  It was pretty obvious that he wanted to go to soccer, buthe was so nervous.  He started crying and told me he couldn't run at futbol (soccer) and told me he'd be fine if he just walked.  Everything was just too weird.  Finally he told me it hurt too bad to run so I took a look at his foot.  It looked a little red on one part, but not too bad.  I told him to try again.  He was obviously hurting so I gave in.  We're not going to make it to the practice so just get over it.  Let's figure out what's going on here.  I call the doctor to try to get an appointment and Marcos walks in.  He's supposed to go to an event where his mom will be receiving an award right after work.  Preston is crying and having a hard day, Dylan's going to need my attention at the doctor's office, especially if we need x-rays.  How am I going to do this alone?  We finally decided Marcos would have to stay with Preston while I took Dylan.  There's another activity we missed today.  

I took Dylan to the doctor and he couldn't figure out what it was.  The x-ray looked fine, it doesn't look like he stepped on anything...  We're supposed to wait and come back in three days if it's not getting better.  Now I have to take Dylan to the toy store to fulfill my end of the bribe.  I know, I'm a horrible mom in more ways than one.  Whatever.  He thought the doctor was going to cut his foot off so I explained that he wasn't going to and that if he was nice and brave, he could choose a toy.  Trust me, it was worth it.  The kid can be feisty and when he was nervous and ready to growl through his teeth, I watched him fold his arms and force a smile, clearly showing me he was being a good little boy.  He even sat by himself during the x-rays, which was amazing.  I thought for sure I'd have to restrain him a little.  We stopped at Toys R Us and he took FOREVER trying to decide what to buy.  I had him in a cart since he couldn't walk and carrying him around the whole time didn't sound like a great idea.  He found the dinosaur he wanted and good news, it was on sale.  We made the purchase and headed home.  By this point, we've also missed the stake activity I wanted to attend.  Oh well, just one of those days. 

I called home to check on Marcos and Preston was screaming.  I thought he was hungry and told Marcos to feed him dinner.  That didn't do it either, but when we came home he seemed to chill so I think he was just missing us.  He's never sure what to do without Dylan around for too long.  Brotherly bond or something.  Dylan ate some dinner and then wanted me to read to him over and over.  He likes books, but this was weird.  He was just clingy and quiet.  Not knowing what to do, I just gave him the attention he needed.  Preston was content to destroy my entire home while I helped his brother.  He pulled all the folded laundry I left in the hall this morning out of the basket and flung each item down the stairs (I couldn't put it away because he was asleep in his bedroom at the time), he tipped over the piano bench and then pushed it around like a toy, he dumped several totes worth of toys all over...  He's like a walking tornado!  I figured it could wait until bedtime when I could think about cleaning again.  Dylan started playing dinosaurs on the ground and was crawling around.  Next thing you know, he's holding one arm up in the air and says his wrist hurts.  Sure enough, his wrist now looks a lot like his foot and is super sensitive to the touch.  Man!  I called the doctor's office back and waited for a call.  I finally got a call from them.  They said, if he gets a fever to take him to the ER for blood work.  If not, give him motrin and follow up in the morning.  Holy cow!  I'm sure he'll be fine, but I am quite concerned.  Whatever it is seems to be getting worse and I don't know how to help him.  So now it's after 10 and I'm exhausted!  Let's hope tomorrow is a little less chaotic.  

Body Jam

I LOVE TO DANCE!  Let me make this clear.  I am not a dancer.  I do not have a dancer's body (I have yet to figure out which kind of body I do have, but it's definitely not a dancer's body).  I never took dance classes (okay I took the ballet and tap classes that most kids take when they're little, but it did not go beyond that), but I love letting loose and going with the flow of the music.  I don't usually worry about the way I look - I'm having way too much fun to bother with that.  Marcos is more or less the same way so we're a good pair that way.  Neither of us is great, but we both love gettin' our groove on.  Our wedding reception was one big dance party.  It was so much fun!  People stayed two hours after the reception was supposed to end dancin' the night away.  The poor DJ didn't know what to do so he just kept spinnin'.  It was too much fun to think about leaving yet.  We were celebrating!  Okay, I was stalling a little bit too, but we don't need to get into that part of it.  The main thing is, I love to dance!  

Tonight my gym had its launch of a new class called Body Jam.  I love Body Pump, Body Attack, Body Step, Body Combat...all the Les Mills "Body" stuff so I figured I'd try it out.  It's basically just a dance workout class.  And yes, I was slightly motivated by the Olympic competition they're having at the gym.  You get a signature every time you go to a group fitness class.  At the end of the competition, a certain number of signatures wins you bronze, silver or gold.  Basically you get a free wrist band, water bottle or t-shirt.  It's kind of ridiculous, but apparently I'm quite motivated by free stuff (and so are a lot of other people by the way).  I've been going to way more classes than I was before they started this crazy challenge.  They really are fun though.  Anyway, I decided to go check out this new class.  Everything was pretty cool - instructors dressed up in their clubbin' gear, a big black sign with silver spray paint on it, fluorescent lights off with the club lights going... The ambiance was perfect - I was so ready to jam out.  But I was ready to just dance, not follow choreography with a whole bunch of other people.  I can generally hold my own and follow the rest of the group, but the place was packed and I had carefully chosen a spot at the back of the room.  I figured watching myself awkwardly trying to learn new steps in the mirror may be a little more than my precious ego could handle today.  Well, I did have two left feet on a lot of the songs and it took me more effort than I would like to admit, but it was so much fun.  I might even try it again next week.  Who knows...maybe I'll get better with practice.  If nothing else, it was a great workout and a way to brush up on my sweet dance moves :)  

Dylan's Olympic Night

Dylan's tumbling class held an Olympic night for the parents tonight.  I didn't think it was going to be a big deal, but it was pretty cute.  I was quite impressed with the setup they had.  It was nice that they had plenty of room for the parents to sit and take pictures too.  I got everything ready so I could video Dylan's big night at tumbling - I charged the battery, made sure the video camera was with the digital camera, put the camera case in the car...  I remembered everything, or so I thought.  We got there and the tape was at the end and of course I hadn't brought an extra.  I was so mad.  Oh well, at least I brought the other camera.  So I have a million pictures on here of him doing some of the different things he's learned.  He loves it.  For now it's just a good way for  him to get out some extra energy, but it's amazing to see how he's progressing.  When we started in February, he couldn't walk across the balance beam at all (I guess he takes after me and my less than superb balancing skills).  Anyway, here are some of the pictures.  

Stretching

The Opening Ceremonies

The balance beam

Cat's cradle

Back walkover 

(I think...I'm not a gymnast myself so I have no idea what I'm talking about)

Straddle on the bar

A summersault where you sit in straddle position first and then summersault

(Sorry, I am horrible at this)

They roll over this and then tuck and roll into a summersault on the mat.

It's pretty cool to watch him launch onto this thing and dive into a summersault.

A pike on the trapeze bar

They swing on the bar into this big tub of foam cubes.  Dylan LOVES it!

Receiving his metal

Showing off his metal.  

He was so excited to get one of these things.

After the Olympics, Preston finally got to play for a minute.

Marcos tosses him up and flips him around at the same time.  He usually just catches him in the air, but he decided to toss him into the foam cubes for the landing.  You can tell by his facial expression just how much he enjoys this little activity!

Salt Lake

Today I had to go to Salt Lake and decided not to waste the gas for the trip down.  We went to visit Great Grandma Betty and then went over the Liv's house.  The kids were pretty good although Preston did get fussy towards the end.  Preston loved Grandma though and snuggled up to her when he was tired.  It was so sweet.  Dylan enjoyed the cookies she gave him and loved watching Lion King (his latest obsession).  It was a pretty good day for all of us!

Marcos & Gustavo's Birthday Party

Dylan at the top of the spider web

Preston's climbing skills

Blowing out the candles

Dylan climbing the rock wall

Alicia and me playing on the teeter-tauter

Dylan climbing

Dylan and Tony being silly on the "spider web"

Kenya, Dylan, Angie and Tanner

Preston giggling

Dylan and Connor just hanging out

Tony, Jett, Kamyn, Dylan, Connor

We had a little get together to celebrate Marcos and Gustavo's birthday, which are both on the 15th.  Tony gave Gustavo a rocket so after dinner we all went over to the park to launch the rocket.  We had a blast!  The rocket took forever to launch so we sat on the hill hanging out and laying while we waited for the guys to get it figured out.  Next thing you know, it took off.  Seriously, mid-picture, the kids were looking at the camera and the next picture they're all looking straight up in the sky.  We tried to factor in the wind, but we were a couple neighborhoods off on the landing.  They found it though.  While a search party went out looking for the lost rocket, the kids all played on the playground.  We had so much fun.  They had a teeter-tauter thing that you stand on and we all took turns playing on it.  I was laughing so hard.  They also had this spider web (that's what Dylan called it).  Dylan's inner monkey came out even more than before.  Marcos could not get over the fact that he was climbing to the top of this big thing.  It was fun to watch everyone.  We went back to the house, had a quick piece of cake and then headed home since we had another party the next day for Barney's daughter, Sundee.  Crazy August birthdays!

Swimming

Last week, we went to the Roy Aquatic Center with a few friends from the neighborhood.  We got there late because Dylan had tumbling so the other kids had already been swimming and had lunch before we even arrived, but it was still so much fun.  Preston was a handful to chase around though.  That kid is way too brave.  He waddles into the deeper water and then loses his balance and gets pulled under water every time.  And yet it never scares him.  He gets up and does it again.  Crazy baby!  With all the baby chasing going on, I completely forgot I had my camera with me.  By the time I got the camera out, half the families had gone home, but I got a picture of Dylan's friend, Addison, and him sitting on one of the chairs together.  It was cute because it was completely unposed.  They just sat together sharing a snack.  I love it when kids are cute with each other that way and you don't have to keep reminding them to be nice.  Before we left, Dylan decided he was big enough to go on the slide by himself.  He was so nervous that it took him forever.  I think 20 people went ahead of him before he got brave enough to give it a try, but after he did it he was so proud.  He wanted to go down again and again.  Luckily it was time to go.  It had already been a long day at the pool.

Outdoor Fun

Preston finding the new "pool"

Just splashing around

My gardener

Sprinkler fun

Preston's new obsession with climbing - he climbs EVERYTHING!

Dylan in control of the sprinkler this time

The swimming pool and sprinklers have been a summertime favorite.  The kids love being outdoors and it helps keep the temperature manageable.  Unfortunately, Preston doesn't always wait for a swimsuit when he wants to play in the water.  He's always ready to get wet and play.  One morning we found the "empty" swimming pool had actually been blown upside down during a wind and rain storm and was filled with new rain water.  I didn't know this, but Preston discovered it very quickly.  Silly baby!