Today's post is brought to you by the number 100,000.... this is the number my odometer will hit the next time I get in my car! My 6 y.o. SUV has taken some major abuse - it's definitely a "mom" car complete with stickers on the window - ya' know - like "I've been Krogering" or "I survived my shot at the doctor", stuff like that!
And in other number news, my sweet little 4 y.o. fish (I mean daughter) decided to jump off the diving board for the first time yesterday. She's been eyeing it for several weeks, but yesterday, she just announced, I'd like to jump off the diving board into 10 FEET of water, thankyouverymuch. This is something you would never catch MommaJen doing, but like a good Momma, I went to the deep end and clutched with all my might to the side of the pool, while my 4 YEAR OLD jumped in and immediately bounced up and swam to the side. I told her she had done a great job and that I was super proud and she just said, "That was double fun, I'm going to do it again, bubba, do you wanna do it?" all in one breath.
And then she proceeded to do it 1.5 million more times. Or maybe it was 20. I don't know. All I know is that if she keeps this up, the Olympics of 2024 better watch out!
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Ahhhh!
We went swimming for the first time yesterday. Yes, it was warm enough - we live in the tropics here in South Central Texas - I think they officially opened the pool the day after Easter!
We LOVE the pool and yesterday I realized there are several reasons why:
1) It's just plain fun!
2) You can exercise without sweating!
3) We are outside!
4) We get to be a part of our community and visit with friends and make new ones!
5) Since we buy a swim pass, our family of 4 can swim as many times as we want all summer for only $125. Pretty cheap entertainment
6) It wears my kids out!
In fact yesterday after swimming for 2 1/2 hours, we came home, bathed the kiddos, and were getting ready for dinner, when I looked over at L and she was asleep. It was 6pm and we faced the dilemna all parents face at that hour. Do you let them take a short nap, then deal with the crankiness until bedtime or do you let them sleep knowing they may wake up at 3:30am ready to go for the day. Since we had a very busy weekend with some late night activities, we decided to just put her in bed. We heard not another word until 6:09 this morning! Glorious!
Lance and I enjoyed some time last night with just N which is a pretty rare occurence and it was an evening with no drama. In fact at one point, I mentioned how quiet it was and Lance said he'd be happy to throw a couple of tantrums or talk incessently if it would help! :)
We LOVE the pool and yesterday I realized there are several reasons why:
1) It's just plain fun!
2) You can exercise without sweating!
3) We are outside!
4) We get to be a part of our community and visit with friends and make new ones!
5) Since we buy a swim pass, our family of 4 can swim as many times as we want all summer for only $125. Pretty cheap entertainment
6) It wears my kids out!
In fact yesterday after swimming for 2 1/2 hours, we came home, bathed the kiddos, and were getting ready for dinner, when I looked over at L and she was asleep. It was 6pm and we faced the dilemna all parents face at that hour. Do you let them take a short nap, then deal with the crankiness until bedtime or do you let them sleep knowing they may wake up at 3:30am ready to go for the day. Since we had a very busy weekend with some late night activities, we decided to just put her in bed. We heard not another word until 6:09 this morning! Glorious!
Lance and I enjoyed some time last night with just N which is a pretty rare occurence and it was an evening with no drama. In fact at one point, I mentioned how quiet it was and Lance said he'd be happy to throw a couple of tantrums or talk incessently if it would help! :)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Swimming
Swimming...that should be the motto of our summer this year. Summer 2008 - the year of the swimmer.
How weird is it then that my kiddos are just now taking swimming lessons? Who does this? Well, pretty much a momma and daddy that were not on top of things when it came to signing up in the spring! When you wait too long, August is the only time left and 8am at that!!!
So how are the lessons going?
LeeLee is a little fish - she loves to swim!!! and knows no fear!!! In her little class of 3 and 4 year olds, she was quickly given her own little teaching assistant because of her daring abilities and that fact that she is scared of NOTHING!
N, is my fearful child, but is doing well also. He has learned how to do a backstroke this week which is HUGE for him - he has never let us put him on his back before. I'm proud of him and how far he has come this summer. Back in June, he wouldn't even put his head under the water and now he loves to dive under.
Next week, we head south to South Padre Island. Our cottage that we are renting has it's own private pool that we'll swim in, we're also planning beach time and a day at Schlitterbahn. My little fishies will get one more week of glorious summer fun before we head back to school.
N starts 1st grade on August 25th and I honestly can't believe it. Last year was huge starting K, but truly it was harder for me on the last day of school than the first. I guess I saw how quickly time flew by and that before I knew it, I'd be watching him graduate.
1st grade will be fun - he will start getting "real" grades and I'm sure the expectation levels will be higher. We've got new shoes, new backpack and lunchbox, and a new back-to-school outfit (well, shorts and shirt) and his school supplies are purchased. I can't think of anything else to do! We are ready!
Hope you all enjoy your last carefree summer moments!
How weird is it then that my kiddos are just now taking swimming lessons? Who does this? Well, pretty much a momma and daddy that were not on top of things when it came to signing up in the spring! When you wait too long, August is the only time left and 8am at that!!!
So how are the lessons going?
LeeLee is a little fish - she loves to swim!!! and knows no fear!!! In her little class of 3 and 4 year olds, she was quickly given her own little teaching assistant because of her daring abilities and that fact that she is scared of NOTHING!
N, is my fearful child, but is doing well also. He has learned how to do a backstroke this week which is HUGE for him - he has never let us put him on his back before. I'm proud of him and how far he has come this summer. Back in June, he wouldn't even put his head under the water and now he loves to dive under.
Next week, we head south to South Padre Island. Our cottage that we are renting has it's own private pool that we'll swim in, we're also planning beach time and a day at Schlitterbahn. My little fishies will get one more week of glorious summer fun before we head back to school.
N starts 1st grade on August 25th and I honestly can't believe it. Last year was huge starting K, but truly it was harder for me on the last day of school than the first. I guess I saw how quickly time flew by and that before I knew it, I'd be watching him graduate.
1st grade will be fun - he will start getting "real" grades and I'm sure the expectation levels will be higher. We've got new shoes, new backpack and lunchbox, and a new back-to-school outfit (well, shorts and shirt) and his school supplies are purchased. I can't think of anything else to do! We are ready!
Hope you all enjoy your last carefree summer moments!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
My worst fear
Click here for a recent story in the Dallas Morning News. This is one of my greatest fears as a parent along with the fear of leaving your child in the backseat of the car.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard these stories and thought,"what a neglectful parent" and yet....it can and does happen to anyone, even the best of parents. How many times have I walked 10 feet away from the tub to answer a ringing phone when I should have just let voicemail get it?
If you have a pool, get extra locks for your doors and gates. Even better, install a pool fence. If you are visiting in the homes of friends and families who have a pool, be vigilant while there. I love how this article mentions having a "water watcher" - it's like a designated driver only this person's sole job is to watch the kids around the water. No distractions allowed!
Please, please be careful - better to be a "crazy momma" like me than to become the next headline.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard these stories and thought,"what a neglectful parent" and yet....it can and does happen to anyone, even the best of parents. How many times have I walked 10 feet away from the tub to answer a ringing phone when I should have just let voicemail get it?
If you have a pool, get extra locks for your doors and gates. Even better, install a pool fence. If you are visiting in the homes of friends and families who have a pool, be vigilant while there. I love how this article mentions having a "water watcher" - it's like a designated driver only this person's sole job is to watch the kids around the water. No distractions allowed!
Please, please be careful - better to be a "crazy momma" like me than to become the next headline.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
#75
Today is my 75th post - yippee!
I made a quick trip to Stephenville Monday afternoon and got back late yesterday afternoon. After 36 years living in Texas, I had never actually been to Stephenville. I hadn't been missing much. No offense to any Stephenvillites out there. Now, the drive there is very nice - lots of rolling hills, farmlands, cute little country towns - that I dig. But Stephenville itself - ah, okay.
Last night as the kiddoes and I were swimming in our pool - remember Target version, not greek goddess version, they wanted to show me some "moves". Some of these moves were in fact related to swimming, but some of them were "Kung Fu" moves! I'm guessing these came from Kung Fu Panda. It was hilarious as they grunted, and yelled and stuck out arms and legs in random sorts of patterns. Too cute!
N has been feeling slightly under the weather this week - not sick, but just not his usual "100% go" self. So, we've enjoyed a little more of some quiet activities.
I think this afternoon we'll be heading out to the "big pool" which means a slide - oh yeah, that is fun! L can go up and down the clam shell slide about 100 times in a row without a break - it's fantabulous!
Hope you are all having a great day!
I made a quick trip to Stephenville Monday afternoon and got back late yesterday afternoon. After 36 years living in Texas, I had never actually been to Stephenville. I hadn't been missing much. No offense to any Stephenvillites out there. Now, the drive there is very nice - lots of rolling hills, farmlands, cute little country towns - that I dig. But Stephenville itself - ah, okay.
Last night as the kiddoes and I were swimming in our pool - remember Target version, not greek goddess version, they wanted to show me some "moves". Some of these moves were in fact related to swimming, but some of them were "Kung Fu" moves! I'm guessing these came from Kung Fu Panda. It was hilarious as they grunted, and yelled and stuck out arms and legs in random sorts of patterns. Too cute!
N has been feeling slightly under the weather this week - not sick, but just not his usual "100% go" self. So, we've enjoyed a little more of some quiet activities.
I think this afternoon we'll be heading out to the "big pool" which means a slide - oh yeah, that is fun! L can go up and down the clam shell slide about 100 times in a row without a break - it's fantabulous!
Hope you are all having a great day!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
super saturday
Today was "family" day at our house! This means no friends, just the 4 of us. This doesn't happen very often as friends are usually always welcome, but....this is the last day we have together for 2 weeks. That's a long time!
I'm used to the crazy summer schedule as that's the only one I've had since marrying Lance in 1994. Before kids, I used the time alone to watch "chick" flicks and work on projects. Once N arrived in 2001, things became the "single" mom life and when L arrived in 2005, things became even crazier. I have great respect for single moms who do everything and do it day in and day out - what a difficult job. I also have admiration for those moms whose husbands travel all the time.
Things the kids and I will be busy doing this summer while Lance is gone: swimming, swimming, and more swimming! My kids have turned into fish this year. L is especially good and adventerous in her aquatic adventures. Today she ventured off the "big kid slide" at Adamson's Lagoon. N is gaining more confidence and is stepping out of his comfort zone to try new things (like the slide today!)
The kids are also enjoying an additional week of fun this summer---a trip to grandparents for a week! They will split their time between my parents and Lance's. This is the first time they will go for 5 entire days by themselves. They will have a great time and I will have the opportunity to get some projects done and enjoy some time with friends and of course, work :(
I'm used to the crazy summer schedule as that's the only one I've had since marrying Lance in 1994. Before kids, I used the time alone to watch "chick" flicks and work on projects. Once N arrived in 2001, things became the "single" mom life and when L arrived in 2005, things became even crazier. I have great respect for single moms who do everything and do it day in and day out - what a difficult job. I also have admiration for those moms whose husbands travel all the time.
Things the kids and I will be busy doing this summer while Lance is gone: swimming, swimming, and more swimming! My kids have turned into fish this year. L is especially good and adventerous in her aquatic adventures. Today she ventured off the "big kid slide" at Adamson's Lagoon. N is gaining more confidence and is stepping out of his comfort zone to try new things (like the slide today!)
The kids are also enjoying an additional week of fun this summer---a trip to grandparents for a week! They will split their time between my parents and Lance's. This is the first time they will go for 5 entire days by themselves. They will have a great time and I will have the opportunity to get some projects done and enjoy some time with friends and of course, work :(
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A disclaimer to earlier post
Okay, Okay, I know what you are all thinking, the Mayes family can afford a pool?!? Lance is a youth minister for heaven's sake!!!
This is the pool, I'd love to have.....
We do have a pool, but it's about 30" deep x 60"wide and although it does have a pump and we do put chemicals in it, it cost us all of $50 at Target! You too can have a pool in your backyard!!! Ours looks more like this....
See today's earlier post to see why I was discussing swimming pools!!!
This is the pool, I'd love to have.....
We do have a pool, but it's about 30" deep x 60"wide and although it does have a pump and we do put chemicals in it, it cost us all of $50 at Target! You too can have a pool in your backyard!!! Ours looks more like this....
See today's earlier post to see why I was discussing swimming pools!!!
It was THIS big!
Yes, this (minus the actual snake) is what greeted us at our swimming pool yesterday afternoon. I had the kiddos dressed in their swimsuits and out the back door when I catch sight of a snake skin on the ground next to our pool. After I wrangled the kids back inside, I peered out the window to see if I could spot him! I wasn't going to take any chances - this momma doesn't do snakes - no matter the size, kind, etc. Swimming was off the table for the day. N called Lance at the office to tell him that "momma is freaking out!" Now, I wasn't really freaking out, but I have to say, I was very aware when in the garage or front yard. I wasn't about to let one sneak up on me!!! By the time Lance arrived home, the winds were blowing and the temperature had dropped 20 degrees, so the swimming was not to be. We were all very disappointed. Perhaps we'll try again today....if momma can get up her courage!!!
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