After Papa goes skiing, I'm going to ski

This was one of the first things I heard today after I got up. Yes, C announced that he was going to go skiing today. Then A soon followed. Out of the blue! Just decided that today was the day. Of course it had to be the one weekend I didn't bring the camera or the video camera...We hadn't talked about it yet this cabin season-about them going skiing. We talked about it a bit last year and they said when they were 5 (which is coming up fast!) they would try it out. Or TODAY! Let me just say that this made my dad's day. He didn't say it did, but I just KNOW it did. Happy early Father's Day, Dad!

First they started out by trying on the skis about 10 time each, just to be sure they had the form down. Here A was trying to make sure that C knew how he was supposed to be once he got into the water. Because she's the expert on everything...

My uncle was here for the weekend and came to see the kids ski for the first time. Our kids call him Florida Jim because he lives in Florida. It was pretty neat to have him there. He and my dad have been skiing together since they were about 8 or 10 years old. So seeing our kids ski when he could remember, without any problem, the first day I skied brought everything full-circle.

Our kids just adore him-especially A. 

Dad got in the water with C first to help him get the hang of what it would feel like.

Then it was A's turn.

Each of the kids went 4 times and held on to the boom each time. That's an advantage they had over how we all learned to ski. The boom allows the kids to be right off the side of the boat, so you can talk to them while they're going. No face plants today, which probably means they'll do it again! In fact, C already asked if he could try again next weekend. I loved the fact that they used my skis. Yes, those are the same skis I used 29 years ago-good old Cyprus Gardens! 

Thanks, Dad, for helping our kids do this today. It was so fun to see you in the water with them. I can only imagine how you felt doing that for them. I know you were proud. So was I. Go Elk Lake Waterskiiers!

These last days

These last days are here. By this I mean these last days with the Mammas (not Mamas) are here. What's that saying people tell you when you have kids? Oh yes, "The time goes by so fast! Before you know it, they will be all grown up and going to college. Be sure to take it all in!" Right, I thought, when the kids were born. Those first days I didn't think 5 years old would EVER get here. But, now we ARE here. Tomorrow is the last official Mamma Day. Mamma Sue had her day yesterday and Mamma Jo gets her last day tomorrow. CRAZY!! I don't think it has hit me yet. I mean really. Kindergarten is so far away...nope not anymore. Our kids have gone from this

to this.

It's hard to put into words what this week means. It's one of those milestones, you know? How do you say "Thank you" to Mammas who give of themselves so selflessly every week? My mom started out doing every Monday and Friday when the kids were really little, and now has done Thursdays. J's mom has done either a Tuesday or Wednesday. The time and love they gave our kids was really priceless. I know that's kind of cliche, but it's true. I'm not sure how J and I would have gotten to this point without them. They have helped to shape our kids to being who they are today during the time they've had with them. The meals prepared, the games played, the songs sung, the stroller rides given, the trips to the park had...all of these things helped to show love to our kids.

A & C love the days with the Mammas. Recently C was talking about Tuesdays and said something that went like this: "Mommy, I love Tuesdays. You know why? Because Mamma always brings us treats. And sometimes she brings us more than one treat." Yes, Mammas know the way to their grandchildrens' hearts! A followed that comment with, "Yeah, Mommy? Did you know that Mamma always brings us a treat like a cookie or something for when we watch Sesame Street? Is that ok? Sometimes it's a cookie and that's in the morning." I told her it was ok. Mammas are supposed to do things like that. Today we passed Burger King and C asked when they could go there again with Mamma Sue. They went there quite a bit in the winter to play. I'm sure it will be a memory they always have with her!

This year the highlight with Mamma Jo was all about American Idol. A so looked forward to watching it with my mom on Wednesday night sleepover nights. It was always the first thing she said when they got there. They loved the simple things at her house: new markers to color with (for hours!), new puzzles, games, toys that I used to play with (!), watching "Little Bear," doing sidewalk chalk, snuggling in their beds. They were also able to take a cooking class in the winter and tried new things! Going to the library was part of some of the days with Mamma Jo too.

It's hard to remember the beginning. I'm glad I have pictures, but lately I have heard my mom and Sue saying things like, "I was so worried that first day!" or "How did we do it with two?" or "I remember thinking 'what happens if they both cry at the same time?'" I love hearing these things because it reminds me that we weren't in it alone. And the best part about it all is that I know we're STILL not in it alone. We'll always have family to support us and help us along the way. For this we are grateful and feel so blessed.

Swim, Bike and Run, Daddy!

J is a superstar! Or in C's words, "Daddy is incredible!" I thought that was too sweet. Sunday J did a sprint triathlon. It was a quarter mile swim, a 13.3 mile bike and a 3.2 mile run. Wow! More than I'd ever be able to do. I'm so proud of him. He's done something similar to this before and has done a few duathlons too. I'm just always amazed at what he does and has the strength to do.

He and his friend Luke did it together. I think it's always nice to have a friend that does it with you. More motivation that way, don't you think?

The swim was first. In a chilly lake (which I'm sure has warmed up now, since it's 101 degrees outside today!)...there were 24 heats.

 J waiting for his turn

 Luke in the water

 J swimming around the white swan markers

After the swim they went to the transition area to get ready for the bike portion. They started up a pretty big hill, which had to be a bit daunting!

J came into the transition area on the bike and we were there!

Then came the run.

I'm pretty impressed with me and the kids because we saw J at every transition! The kids were troopers with me because I would say, "Ok! Here he comes. Let's go this way! Ok, now here. Yes, go to the park. Ooops. We'll come back to the park. Here comes Daddy!" They did great.

Of course there were snacks to be had while waiting. We pretty much ate our way through the morning while we waited...or at least the kids did!

J finished in 1 hour, 32 minutes.

Wow! I just can't even imagine doing something like that. I hope I can some day, but for now we'll cheer J on at his events. We're a great support group! Go, Daddy, Go!

I'm making the decision

that summer is here. Shhh...don't say it too loud. Where we live weather can change some 70 degrees in less than 24 hours. But I think I'm safe when I say that summer weather is here to stay! Today was day one of being outside basically the whole day, doing summertime things. We started out at Bachman's, doing some planting in the kids community garden.

A chose to plant a tomato.

C planted a pepper. Can you see it already on there?

They both got to take a plant home with them-A chose a strawberry and I'm sure that was purely for the fact that it had a pink flower on it. Not to mention that she told the lady helping her that, "Strawberries are my very most favorite fruit to eat EVER!" C chose a tomato because he knows "Daddy likes tomatoes and so I think I'll pick a tomato. Daddy will be so surprised that we got a tomato plant for him!"

(It was a little sunny!)
These events spurred another conversation about having our own vegetable garden at our house. So even though we've never grown anything except tomatoes, we will growing the following vegetables: artichoke, broccoli, tomato and red pepper. We'll see what happens. Green beans were in the running for a bit too, until I realized that they need something to climb (I think). So we I decided against them. We also got some more flowers for our house because I can't help myself.

We got home and planted the flowers we got-I had lots of help from A & C! They took turns putting plants in around a tree and were really a lot of help, really! That was about it for the planting and then the real summer fun began: water play!

The pool and sprinkler came out and squeals of joy could be hear from 5 houses over, I'm sure. Our kids love running through the sprinkler or splinkler as they say. They also withstood the cold temperature of the pool water; much braver than I would have been!

 

We were outside all day playing, planting, swimming, running and visiting with Mamma Sue and Big Papa. Just a regular "summer" day!

A little art, a little dinner, a little dessert

It's the simple things that make me happy. That's the way it should be, right? Simple things like unexpected flowers, hugs from my kids and a piece of chocolate...these things make me happy. Tonight made me happy too.

Our night was simple: art fair, dinner and dessert. Easy! The art fair in our area is one of my favorite art fairs to go to because I go to some of the same places every year. I'm borderline obsessed with these pictures from Art Moms.

I think there are 4 or 5 more pictures in our house between A & C's rooms. I love the artwork for how whimsy and simple it is. I also ordered some more things from Naptime Treasures (another one of my favorites if you remember), found a baby gift and got a headband. Then it was off to dinner! We went to Barrio for some great guacamole and margaritas. Nothing beats that on a 90 degree day! Off to Freeziac for some make-your-own frozen yogurt sundaes. Right up my alley, that's for sure. I had my eyes that were much, much bigger than my stomach. That's what happens when you can put as many toppings as you want on top!

I like to think I'm a relatively simple girl and tonight was a simple night-just some art and dinner. Oh-I almost forgot...dessert too! Thanks for a great date night, J. Love you!