Swimming lessons

We started Summer vacation with a bang! It has been a fun, whirlwind of a week! I have a new work schedule and the kids are ALL doing swimming lessons! The girls go at 9am and Brayden goes at 4pm. Not the best schedule, but it's what would work. Brayden is going to VBS (vacation bible school) next week in the mornings, so we had to do afternoon swimming. I think it's a little ridiculous how busy a five year old can be. :) This is his only thing for the summer (that I know of). Anyway, it has worked out well, between me, Auntie Sarah and Auntie Helen everyone has made it to swimming class! Ready and waiting! The first day Danielle sat and watched for the first half, then she just jumped right in and joined her sister. (It's only the two of them, you can't beat a private lesson!) They both LOVE the water, which is a huge relief. They both love it so much in fact, they have no fear, which is really scary for me, considering they don't know the dangers of the water......

Ellie floating on her back.

Dani kicking away.
At the end of the lesson they get to jump into the pool and the teacher catches them! On the third day, Dani was feeling quite confident apparently. Ellie jumped in first and the teacher caught her, and then Dani just went for it. She jumped in without any hesitation. The problem was the teacher wasn't ready, and didn't quite know what to do.....she put Ellie back up on the side and then grabbed Dani, who was sinking fast! In that split second where she hesitated, I was up off the bench heading over. It was weird (and scary) that she decided to put Ellie back before she reached down for Dani (who was right next to her). I don't know, maybe it's my motherly instincts, but I would have gone right for her......I know they know what they're doing and I do trust the teachers, but on the other hand, they are all high schoolers....kind of scary when you really think about it.

Brayden and cousin Ally listening intently to their teacher. Don't they look great? Hopefully this behavior will last through next week! I couldn't get a good pic. of them, they were in a weird spot in the pool. :(

Funny story about Brayden though.....while they were in their afternoon class, I decided I would swim too. The big pool is right next to the pool they have lessons in. I was swimming my laps IN the water, and I could still hear my son answering the teacher's questions. ;) For those of you who have been around us, you know how loud Brayden talks! Well, in the pool area EVERYTHING echos! I could also hear the teacher saying, "SSHHH!" I thought, 'good luck, I've been trying that for years!" :)

Random Picture

Dan Dan being the little mommy. She got inside the baby cradle and rocked her baby.

***Err, I forgot the best part about Dani's story.....after the teacher saved her from drowning, she came up to the surface as proud as can be, with a HUGE grin and yelled, "I did it MOMMY!"

Work & Play

We have been quite busy lately, here is a quick update, with more to come! A few weeks ago Kent underwent the task of sanding and staining the whole front porch. Not so fun, I didn't even pretend to help. ;) However, Brayden was right next to Kent the whole time sanding away. He lasted a LOT longer than I expected. He loves to help and be a busy bee.


I didn't get a pic. of the finished product, but it looks great!

Keegan, Owen,Dani, Ally, Ellie and Brayden

All the chillin's checking out Auntie and Uncle's hot tub. They were all lined up so nicely, I thought I would get a quick pic. of all their cute bums, but I wasn't fast enough!

Last week we had quite the adventure! Brayden went to a play with Grandma Phillips and Ally. Kent and the girls and I went on a bike ride with some friends. These friends are wonderful.....they make our lives seem so easy. They have a six year old daughter and girl triplets who are 4! They pulled up to our house and unloaded all of their gear for our ride. I just laughed out loud! I chatted with Shannon (the mom) while Chris (the dad) was getting everything set up. Suddenly I realized, 'you have 4 kids, how are you all going to ride? Lindsey is too big for the trailer. Have no fear, they had it all situated.......

My load that I haul around. ;) 70+ pounds.

This pic. does NOT do them justice. Chris had Lindsey on a tandem bike behind him, then a trailer behind her! Shannon had ONE girl (the smallest one) behind her! :) We were a full on circus cruising down the road! PLUS I bit it hard in a major intersection. SURPRISE!

I finally got a new bike for my sprint race, and I got the fancy clip in shoes (which I love), and it was the second time I had ridden with them....long story short, I couldn't get my feet out in time before I slowly fell to the side, while screaming, "OOHHHH SHHIIITTT!" (Did I mention one of these girls in the trailer is a client of mine)? Impressive, I know. I had a few black marks up and down my legs, but I was good to go after I regained any composure that I had left. Needless to say, this little bike ride turned into an all night event! ;)

Let me introduce you to....... The SUPER PHILLIPS KIDS~ Ever since my friend, Meghan, made a cape for her son, I have been on the look out for some "super capes." It just so happens that my neighbor that lives three houses down, makes these! You can choose your own color and letter (of course). They are too adorable, Brayden and Dani LOVE them, Ellie not so much yet. B wears his EVERYWHERE!

Flying around the yard!

Quote of the day....

Tonight after dinner from the mouth of one of my darling three year olds,

"Ellie is SSOOO irritating!"

I'm pretty sure Dani didn't pick this one up from me, I usually say "annoying." :)
Dani tried to explain that she learned this from a movie, when someone was waking up.....I'm not sure what she's talking about. I feel like a bad mom not knowing what she was watching. I guess I'm going to have to lay down the law with these baby-sitters. ;)

Double Trouble

Unfortunately I don't have a picture to go with this post. If pulling out my camera wouldn't totally deter from my angry/time-out Mom face I would have snapped a few.....As I was finishing up the dinner dishes it became very quiet. Kent had just left with Brayden to get hair cuts, and the girls were no where to be seen. I walked down the hallway and I could hear car doors slamming in the garage. I thought that was weird since I was sure Kent was long gone already. I walked downstairs (just yesterday I took the child lock off the door leading into the garage), I opened the door to find two little girls having the time of their lives in Dad's car. I wanted to laugh out loud, but I bit my tongue and just watched. At least three minutes passed before they even looked up to notice me. Even though it is dangerous and oh so naughty, it was hilarious watching them and listening to them figure out the inner workings of the car.

Dani, "Look I just pull this thing and it will open. You try over there."

Ellie, "I can't get my open, can I try yours? Let me get on your side."

When they finally looked up and saw me, they slowly got out of the car.

Dani, "Ok, mom we will get out of Dad's car."

I didn't say a word, they got out and headed straight up to their room. That's where they are right now, I think I will sneak up and see what mischief they are getting into now. Perhaps standing on their kitchen to get a view of the backyard, or taking every single thing out of their closet so they can play 'house' in it? You just never know.....

Out and About

Like everyone else we have been suffering through a wet, rainy June. On the few nice days, we did get out of the house and head to the parks. While my Mom was here last week, we visited the fire station. Kind of random, but B's school went while we were out of town on vacation. He was so disappointed that he missed it. Ms. Jenny told me to just stop by and they would show us around. The fire station down the road has two small trucks and one big one, with two men on duty. It's a small station, and the guys there were so willing to show my kids around! It was very nice of them. They took the time to show them all of the trucks, tools, lights, uniforms..... the kids just listened in awe. They even showed us around the living quarters. It was a very informative stop and the girls got to see what a fireman looks like/sounds like in full gear. They were terrified and didn't want to be near them. It was great to expose them to the air tank/mask so they know what it sounds like. This is the only pic. I got. B got to sit up in the truck by himself!

One of the days that my Mom was here was sunny! We headed downtown and visited Riverfront Park and REI. The famous Big Red Wagon:

Kent, Brayden, Mom and Dani. Ellie proudly scaling the blocks. (yes she dressed herself).

Dani and Brayden

"E" for Ellie
We also got the bikes with training wheels (from last years garage sales) out for the girls!
They did amazingly well! Ellie now has road rash on her shoulder, knees and elbows. She is a little too daring and likes to go fast. Dani keeps saying, "Slow down Ellie, like this. Go slow, so you don't get owies!" Dani takes her sweet time and is very safe! :)

Ellie trying to gain the best angle on the corner.

Dani loving the Dora bike, taking it smooth and easy!

My Graduate

Part of Brayden's graduating class. :)

The beloved Ms. Jenny and Brayden

My baby graduated from pre-school today! Doesn't that sound so silly? I thought it was a little bit crazy until I was actually in the classroom with all of his little friends, that I have gotten to know over the last two years. I couldn't believe how grown up they all seemed to be (and so sweet)! Ms. Jenny is his amazing teacher, who I can't say enough wonderful things about....we have been so lucky to have her in our lives. These are a few things that Ms. Jenny had to say about my boy:

Brayden and Kaiden

Brayden: "Silly, smart and giving. He would be great in a TV audience because he can belly laugh on cue. I love putting things in the art center because this little boy will ALWAYS find them. He has a very creative mind and always has a smile on his face."

This melted my heart because it is all so true. (I have no idea where he got his creative side, it must be the Phillips' genes)!

His friends said, "Plays good with friends, funny, awesome laugh, pretty eyes, I like to play at his house, awesome friends, cool, good at playing games."

It is so neat to see what his peers think of him, I really wish I could have been in the room when they were working on this project, I'm sure there were some very funny things said, that weren't noted. :)

As I said, I didn't think this would be a huge deal, but the second the kids walked out with their little paper graduation hats, my eyes teared up. Then Ms. Jenny went on to say that she wrote something about each child and we got to guess who she was describing. She was able to find the most unique traits in each child and I could instantly tell who she was talking about. I cried for each child, (I know I'm a cry baby) because I got to be in the class with them at least once a month and watch them grow and learn.

I loved it! I don't know what I am going to do in the Fall when the bus rolls around the corner to pick up my boy for Kindergarten!

Cruise: top 10

I really tried to narrow the pics. and choose only the high lights from our cruise to Cozumel, Costa Rica and Panama! I didn't even get the pics. off of Kent's camera. Here's my top 10 list, not necessarily in order.

#10 Relaxing, sleeping in, napping, re-energizing!

#9 The whole lido deck! This is where the pool and food are located and the big screen TV where we got to watch movies in the evenings, kind of like a drive in, but sitting in lounge chairs and eating ice cream, pizza and/or whatever you could find!



#8 Excursion in Panama: The panama canal. I have to say I was pretty impressed with this structure. I wasn't overly excited to go here, but Kent would have liked to spend the whole day here. We were lucky and actually got to see a ship pass through the locks in the canal. It was pretty amazing! I can't remember how many thousands of gallons of water goes through the locks ( I have to ask Kent, or read the pamphlet again) but it was crazy!

#7 The whole reason we took this particular cruise was because I have always wanted to go to Costa Rica and zip line through the rain forest. Well, we got to do other cool things besides that...

We went to a banana plantation and got to see all the steps in growing and shipping bananas. It was cooler than I expected it to be.

#6 Rain forest: We got to take a boat on the canal through the rain forest, which I almost missed because I let all of the old ladies go potty before me, then they didn't let the guide know I was still in the bathroom. I was irked! They had to bring the boat back and I had to jump from the dock! Kent was just hanging out on the dock waiting for me, not saying a word, not a single word. ?!?!


Anywho, this is our guide, he was great. He is a biologist and was very into teaching us about the rain forest. He was full of tons of info. We got to see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, birds and bats. There is a sloth in the pic. below, but I can't find it to tell you where.... if you see it, let me know. :)

#5 We got to go to an authentic Indian village up in the mountains. I uploaded these out of order, so bear with me. At the end of the visit the tribe danced for us.

This is our friend, Reuben, dancing, Kent denied the cute lady that asked him. I felt so sad for her, apparently she didn't understand the making no eye contact, bright red face = extremely shy!

Reuben wasn't afraid to shake it though. He was a professional basketball player in Puerto Rico, so it was funny to see him dancing at 6'4" with these little women.






When we got there they fed us lunch! After the 45 minute canoe ride I was hungry! They fried some yummy talapia and plantains served up in a leaf. It was surprisingly delicious!

#4

These are our friends, Reuben and Julie. They were at our table for dinner and they were the nicest peeps! They're from Oklahoma now, but Julie is originally from Aloha, Oregon, and Reuben is from Puerto Rico. We spent alot of time with them. They are expecting their first baby!



This is our canoe ride. In the description it said, "A canoe ride to a local Indian village." I imagined, along with everyone else, paddling across a lake to the village. Not so much. We pulled up in our air-conditioned tour bus and saw 5-6 motor powered canoes along the river. They looked a bit shabby, but functional, I guess. We walked down and they handed us the lovely orange life saving vests, that smelled like BO! Then we preceded to sit in the canoe for 20 minutes waiting for the other buses to show up. (This is the worst part about excursions). We took pics. watched lots of people, who thought they were going to get drenched and decided to wear itty-bitty-string bikinis (which wasn't the best choice for these particular peeps, but I am sparing you the pics.) and traipse around for everyone to see. It was quite amazing. I am going to have to insert a #3 right here: #3 People watching. I am pretty sure a cruise is the best place to watch people, it is surreal!

Digressing, back to the canoe. We finally got it loaded with 26 people and tried to take off. We didn't get too far before the head guy said, too much, too full, some over here. They literally pulled up beside us and made some of the people move over to the other canoe because we were sinking! Of course, I was laughing inappropriately and snapping tons of pics.! It was hilarious. After we off loaded some passengers we continued on our way for 40 minutes and the guys in the back had to bail water out because it was leaking~ quite the adventure!

#2 Zip lining through the rain forest! It was breathtaking! I would do it again in a heartbeat, it all went way too fast! I loved it!

#1 The best part of the trip was spending 9 days with my husband without distractions. I am so happy that I married my best friend, and so happy that he is STILL my best friend! It's so nice to reconnect and remember why we love each other!