Video Clip

Adam and I were watching 'old' movies of the kids this morning and I had to share one. It is so funny to see how different the kids are (Morgan at 2 1/2 in this clip) and yet how much the same (mannerisms, etc.) I love them at every age and life right now is a lot of fun, but I do miss my little toddlers!

Swimming

We are into week two of our swim session and the kids are doing amazing. Morgan is a really strong swimmer. She is working on breathing to the side and perfecting her crawl and backstrokes. We are thinking of putting her on a swim team next year.

Morgan and Paige modeling their matching swimsuits.

Floating Beauty.

Morgan is F-A-S-T.... Fast!

Morgan & Desiree practicing Elementary Backstroke - Chicken, Star, Rocket.

Today was an INCREDIBLE day for Adam. Not only was it the first day there wasn't a single whimper, whine or cry of distress about going to swim class, he actually asked me to sign him up for another session since he "loves swim class now." As you'll see from the video below, he is doing great in class. Yep, he is swimming! We are so proud of him.

Adam, Paige, Nathan & Jalen practicing Chicken, Star, Rocket.

Adam swims!

Adam and Paige have so much fun together.

On a non-aquatic note....

Adam got his haircut on the way to swim class today. He looks like such a big boy!

This & That

My birthday last Friday was AWESOME!! When I woke up I was treated to a blueberry pancake breakfast from Gina and the kids. Then Morgan, Adam & I headed to Tempe to meet up with our MOMS Club friends at the AZ All Star Gym. It is a gymnastics school, but they had an open gym time reserved for our group. It was a blast. The kids had a great time. One of the little boys who was there shares my b-day so when I saw cupcakes, I didn't think twice about it. Then the little guy (who turned 2) ended up leaving early, but it turned out the cupcakes were for both of us. Four of my friends had baked the delicious treats and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me - kids and moms alike. It was really touching. Then a few of us went out to lunch at Macayo's. After an afternoon of rest at home, Jeremy arrived from a week in Denver only to be left alone with the kids... I was off to Bunco! Again, my awesome friends surprised me - this time with a cake (thank you, Kimberly, for baking it - you know I love carrot cake!) and Cindy made my favorite brie complete with a Happy Birthday decoration on top. My life has truly been blessed with amazing friends... and an incredible husband and children. Although I didn't spend my birthday evening with Jeremy and the kids, over the weekend Jeremy & I went to see The Dark Knight while the kids hung out at the Harkins Play Center then we all went out to Z'Tejas. Yes, I am spoiled.

Morgan the monkey.

Lexi and Adam loved the rocking wedge.

Connor is always so excited to see Morgan and she adores him. Here they are bouncing down the long trampoline together.

Everyone getting ready for cupcakes. I still hadn't realized they were for me at this point.

Adam loves Laura! When he is grumpy, she can often calm him down when I can't.

Morgan and Anthony at Macayo's.

The gang at lunch - it was Ruby, Mary, Tina, Laura, me & our offspring.

Adam and me at lunch... I hope my 36th year is as great as my 35th birthday was!

Last night the kids had their first swim lessons of the season. We were supposed to be in a session about a month ago, but decided to go to Rocky Point and Chicago instead.... so, it is late in the season, but I am so happy we waited. Adam is a lot more confident now and Morgan is a super strong swimmer. Ms. Erin (the instructor) was impressed with how far they both have come since last year.

Adam did fantastic practicing kicking on his back. At home today, however, he told me that he can only float in Ms. Erin's pool. In our water, he will sink.

Adam diving for a ring underwater while Paige watches.
Morgan floating - she learned how to do backstroke and was doing it like a pro.

Fast forward to today... this morning I watched Drake & Ethan so Steph could go to the doctor. The kids and I had a lot of fun. They all would have been content to watch TV for the morning, but I said "Nope - you have friends to play with!" Of course, I ended up doing some entertaining as well, but (overall) they all played well together.

Little brother horseback rides.

Morgan reading to the boys.

Tonight... an EAGLE PTA meeting for me and Jeremy takes the kids to swim classes. In an hour or so I get to find out if Laura is having a boy or girl... so excited to find out!

Slumber Party & Play Dates

The kids and I have been keeping busy while Jeremy is in Denver for work. One of the highlights of our week has been tonight - our slumber party with Gina, Mason & Madeline! We've played games, made homemade pizza, gone swimming, read books, braved the heat for the playset and just overall have enjoyed spending time with each other. It is 10:51 PM as I type this and Mason and Morgan are still up. So much excitement! Madeline and Adam crashed easily about 9 PM.

Gina read the kids 3 books and the kids all loved her style. Of course, the only one actually sleeping in this bed built for 4 is Madeline. The elder 2 are still awake (11:08 now) and Adam crashed in my room.

Yesterday we had Anthony, Emily, Paige & Sydney over to play in the morning. I wish I had taken more pictures. The kids all had fun playing dress-up, trains and other games together.

Anthony & Morgan modeling the latest in vest fashion.

Anthony, Adam & Paige playing nicely together.

This morning Kimberly & I took the kids with us to run some errands at Target & Costco and had lunch at Red Robin. I love that they send you a free (veggie) burger for your birthday! The most exciting part of the trip for me was that we got the car washed. The kids all enjoyed watching our minivan "Big Blue" get a much needed cleaning.

Connor, Dylan, Morgan & Adam - standing calmly for a minute (not that it lasted!).

Home Again, Home Again

Wow! What a fun-filled, action-packed, over-eating great time we've had for the past week and a half on our adventures in the Midwest. We were able to spend time with our family & friends, to see new sights and to enjoy the beautiful weather. I hope to blog details another time soon, but I need to hit the sack and get ready to face a full day of 'real' life tomorrow. Let's just say that thanks to Lee & Kathie and Sue & Lou (Jeremy's parents in Chicago & Milwaukee), we have all been pretty spoiled. So, tomorrow, we have the joys of laundry and catching up on all the paperwork, cleaning, etc. we left behind. But, let's not think about that! Let's think about how wonderful it was to explore Chicago, attend Summerfest in Milwaukee, see my college roommates, my cousin and goddaughter, Jeremy's family and to just hang out in the city we used to call home.

A few pictures are below. I lost my camera the first day we were there (very upsetting) at the Museum of Science and Industry, but Sue (to the rescue!) loaned me her camera for the last half of our trip. A lot of the pictures are on Jeremy's computer so I will post more another time.

Adam & Jeremy mini-golfing in Lincoln Park.

Morgan and Valerie W. (my college roomie Kathy's daughter) playing Go Fish.

Go Fish!

Picnic in the park with Grandpa Lee.

Enjoying the view from Grandpa Lee & Grandma Kathie's condo.