Swim Team

This is Austin's first year. I must say it is quite the commitment. We started about a month ago. Practice is Mon-Fri at 5:00 and swim meets every Saturday starting at 6:45 until around noon. This goes on until the end of June. Last Saturday we got to be there at 6:00 for setup (well James did). And every family has to volunteer 6 hours (or else they will cash a $150 check we gave them at the beginning of the year). I'm doing the heat sheets, and then something with the end of year party. Austin seems to be enjoying it so we will continue, although I will say I really did not know all that it entailed until after we joined. So much for my Saturday morning step class until July.

This is the way the meet went on Saturday:
6:00 James arrives to help setup.
6:45 The kiddos and I arrive. Sign in and warm-up by swimming a few laps of the pool.
7:45 The girls have completed all the puzzles and finished all the games we brought.
8:30 The girls whining has officially begun.
9:05 Austin's first race, he was chosen to swim a relay because of his fast times last weekend. His team won.
9:35 The girls are officially too hot, and according to them they can't bear to be in the sun anymore.
10:05 Austin's second race, a freestyle, which he completes in 36.81 seconds.
10:30 The girls have officially expired, I take the girls home. James stays.
11:45 Austin's third race, 25 meter backstroke, he completes in 48.87 seconds (10 seconds faster than last weekend).
12:00 James and Austin come home. Austin takes his first nap since a year ago.

Phelps, eat your heart out.




Completing Candyland at 7:30.

Emily and Bronco

Spending most of my younger years in Colorado, I was a die hard Broncos fan. When they were behind, I remember excusing myself from the family room - heading to the stairs and getting down on my hands and knees. I pleaded to God that I would do anything if they would win. Of course I don't think I held my part of the bargain, but I did see a lot of John Elway 4Q comebacks. These days I will still cheer for the Broncos, but playing fantasy football I pretty much cheer for the individual players and unfortunately they could be on the opposing team.

Outside of our gym there are a lot of roly polys. It reminds me of Colorado also, we had tons of them in our yard and I would love to play with those little guys. Emily saw one today, picked it up, and would not leave without that roly-poly. I emptied out a water bottle and we put it in there so she could take it home.

She kept talking to him in the car, explaining that she would help find his family, but also that he would be happy with us. Then she told me his name: Bronco.

I almost cried tears of joy.

That girl is 100% her daddy. But this just shows there is a little bit of me in there somewhere...

I think Bronco might have been a member of our family for about 4 hours. She thought he was thirsty and put water in the bottle - I tried to save Bronco but to no avail. It was a great 4 hours though.

Abby's people

This is Abby.

Let me introduce you to my artistic little daughter's artwork. This is what she draws all the time.

This is me - a picture she did at Sunday School. James has a matching set at his office - exactly the same.

This is her Grammy - looks very similar to me, don't you think?

This is a monster with no eyes - definitely similarities between the three?

She even drew one of her "peeps" on an Easter egg.

Our little left-handed child has created quite a unique style for her people. Now if my husband the marketer can just figure a way to make them famous...

Monsters vs. Aliens

We don't go to the movies very often so this was a real treat. I stuffed my purse with water and popcorn and we were on our way. Our first 3D experience was really cool (well it was after I popped a few advil - that 3D stuff totally messes with my eyes). And you gotta love our shades.



The movie itself was entertaining. The girls got scared at a few parts, especially with a trailer prior to the movie starting - some movie called "9." I don't understand the people who coordinate this trailer business - why would you put that kind of trailer in front of a movie that little kids are watching? It scares the bejeebers out of them. Then you have to calm them down and reassure them that it is not real. We had a good time. Emily has said everyday, "remember that girl who got big and broke her dress." Because that's the real travesty of the movie, not that the government is secretly hiding these monsters, but that Susan's dress broke. It's all about the wardrobe for that girl.

Soccer is over

Soccer is over...

and so is spring here in Texas...

and summer is coming!