Redneck Pool

Setting up the little pool on the deck is much easier than taking Michael and Emily to the neighborhood pool. In reality, they have yet to make it to the big pool this year. They have been there many times to watch Swim Team practice at 8:30 in the morning, but not to swim themselves. Truth be told, I don't think I am ready for that excursion solo. Sophie is fully independent at the pool, but does require the requisite amount of "Mom, look at me!" kind of attention. And I have to get close to her to talk to her, so that presents a problem as well if all three are with me. Today Sophie has a playdate and sleepover, so it was easy to keep the little ones entertained with just the baby pool. Having it on the deck is perfect, I can watch them while I make lunch, get towels, etc. We were outside for a good 90 minutes, then it was off to nap.

Emily coming to complain that Michael has kicked her out, and has both boats, which is what they have been calling the chair and dishpan that found their way into the pool.

Here's the guilty party now..........


Emily is so distraught by his behavior she gives up and has a pity party for herself.



But it doesn't last long, and soon they have made up a game where one pretends to be drowning, and the other one rescues them with their "lifesaver".

There once was a girl, who had a little curl...

Day Camping

Sophie is in Girl Scout Day Camp all this week. I was a floater today, which meant that I showed up and was assigned a job. I think I lucked out by getting placed in Outdoor Cooking...did you know you can make a delicious turnover using prepared biscuit dough filled with a slice of banana? Just drop it into the cast iron Dutch Oven that holds the sizzling lard, turn when it gets golden, remove and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Yum! I was amazed that the lard stayed hot enough to quickly fry these little jewels, amazing what you can do without modern technology. I would love to work at the camp for the entire week next year. The twins would be able to attend as "Pixies". They have their own agenda for the week, which includes some time in the one air conditioned building if necessary.


Sophie's unit color was Orange, so they nicknamed themselves the "Original Orange Crush". Here they all are, with their camp buckets and the wagon that goes with them from place to place in camp.

A friend took this picture of us today, I am not able to enlarge it without losing the clarity. We were watching the flamenco dancers under the Arbor. Today we visited Spain.

Sophie waiting for her ride earlier in the week. She's full of energy and very clean in this picture, a big contrast from how she looks when I pick her up at 3pm. But I can sympathize. When she and I walked in the door this afternoon, I took a 40 minute nap before I could even think of showering... I was beat! Of course, I'm not 7 and a half anymore, so that may have something to do with it!

In the Swim

Wow, I really have fallen down on updating my blog!

The summer is in full swing, the kids have been out of school since the end of May. Thanks to Pam, who took Michael and Emily for a few days the last week of school, so I could get some things done around the house, and also help with end of the year activities for Sophie. Here's her class at their party. It's amazing to see how they have grown over the year. It was a great year; though we did have some challenges. She got a new teacher with only 3 months of school left due to the Whopping Cough outbreak. That was traumatic, but the new teacher did a GREAT job, and this was her first ever class. We are glad she will be back next year full time, am hoping one of the twins will have her in a few years.


A new activity for us this year has been Swim Team. Sophie loves the water, and this is a great opportunity for her to really learn her strokes, be part of a team sport, and have fun (hopefully) all at the same time.

The main obstacle is her hearing loss. I have tried my best to never coddle her over having to wear hearing aids. I think Terry and I have both done a great job of being very matter of fact about the issue. The last thing we want is for her to think of herself as a victim, or as someone who "cannot do ......" because of her hearing loss. But, in the pool she is definitely at a disadvantage. Our team coordinator has been great-it helps that she is also on the Exceptional Kids Committe at Sophie's school. She suggested that her 14 yr old daughter, who is a year round swimmer, be Sophie's helper during practices and meets. This has worked out wonderfully. Kelsey is by Sophie's side during practice, relaying to her what the coach is saying. She is encouraging and positive, and I think this has made a big impact in Sophie's experience this summer. There have been a few times when Kelsey wasn't available, and I have had to step in and remind one of the other teen coaches they need to be relaying for her. Watching the main coach give an entire explanation and knowing that your daughter heard none of it is heart breaking. Sophie has worn heairng aids since she was 6 ms old, and this is the first time that she has been put in a situation where she cannot use them. It makes me see her hearing loss like I never have before. It also makes me realize just how extremely fortunate we are that the technology exists to help her on a daily basis. So many people have commented to me that they never would have known she wears them, except for it being an issue at swim team. Because she manages so well, I forget that she is hearing imparied most of the time. It's been a learning process for me as well.

All smiles before the meet

Name and team spirit on the back

Getting some diving help from her coach during warm ups

Starting her first race ever, 25M freestyle. She is on the blocks in Lane 2, and is looking toward the starter, who will give her a hand signal as she blows the horn. Kelsey is in the blue cap to the right of Sophie. She wrote Soph's events on her arm as well as her own, so she could be there and take her hearing aids at the last minute. When I saw she had done that, it choked me up, such a caring young lady.

Almost there!

After event #57, 25M backstroke, with our friend and neighbor Antonia. Right after I took this picture Sophie looked up at me and said "Can we PLEASE go home now, I am SO tired!" By this time it was 9pm, and we were all tired!

The End is Near!

There are only 3 weeks of school left for Sophie and 2 for the twins, but who's counting? At this point, we all are! Especially me. This year has flown by. Sophie will be a second grader next Fall and Michael and Emily are halfway through preschool. I was at Sophie's school one day last week and one of the admins asked me "Now, when do we get your other two?" Thinking about it made me realize in just two short years they will be in Kindergarten. Time is just flying by and life is getting easier every day. This summer will still be a challenge in many ways....they still need a nap or else bedtime is 6pm, I still can't safely have both of them at the pool by myself, Emily is still not fully potty trained. But there are so many things they can do now, and it is a joy to watch them. Everyday we hear "I can do it, I do it myself." which is the mantra of any 3 year old. Putting on their own shoes, wanting to pour their own drinks, brushing their teeth better and better each day. I love seeing how proud they are when they accomplish a new task.

Sophie is making strides of her own too. She is totally into books and I just smile to myself....I am SO GLAD that my daughter loves to read and is capable of reading above her grade level. Saturday morning when Michael and Emily were playing with the laundry basket, she sat at the kitchen table mesmerized by a book from the used bookstore. (Love that place, we trade so many books there that we will forever have a credit. She can spend $3 and buy 6 books, it's a great deal.) Every so often she would ask them to hold it down, but never took her eyes from the page to do so. Just like me when I was that age. LOVE it!

I am ready for the summer though. Ready to be done with school, PSR, Brownies and all that schedule involves. Very much looking forward to Swim Team for Sophie, and getting more involved in our neighborhood through that. Of course, that doesn't mean by 4th of July I won't be starting the back to school countdown (it's August 11th in case you were wondering)!

This video is the twins having a great time with the laundry basket. This was 9:15 am on Saturday.

Michael and Emily with Terry at Sophie's Brownie Court of Awards. Unfortunately no pictures of the Brownie herself. I was too far away and afterward there was a rush for the cake.....
Reading....Interrupted

The Meanest Doll in the World!!

Easter Fun

What a joyous Easter we had! Sophie and I started a new tradition: making the really tacky, but much loved, bunny cake. So easy and a crowd pleaser. After Mass, which was an experience in itself, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Maier's for brunch. Yummy sausage and egg casserole and Dad's famous pancakes as well. Oh and I think my mother has turned the corner on Southern...she made grits with heavy cream and cheddar cheese...to die for. I thought of Kat's mom's recipes...melt a stick of butta...they were that good! The Easter Bunny was even kind enough to deliver the kid's baskets there, made getting out the door to church so much easier. We had our first egg hunt of the day in their huge backyard. Quite fun.

That afternoon the Gould's came to our house for dinner. And another egg hunt. We also had a surprise visit from Noah, which was a bonus. He even got to spend the night, a rariety on a school night. Kathleen had to take Samuel to the ER (he is ok) and Jeff was out of town on business. We were happy to oblige, and having him there kept my three from the usual bickering that can occur when grandparents visit. No need for Sophie to compete when she has her very own friend to pal around with.

Sophie using lots of jelly beans on our bunny.

The rosy cheeks were all her idea, it really added a nice touch.

The loot.

Loving the blue peep.

Hunting eggs on the back 40.

Poser.

Just one more piece...please?

Checking out what they collected.

Egg hunt at our house after dinner.

Once all the eggs were found, Mike was over it, no candy for him, just the slide please.