Swimming across the Pool

Shaelyn has really improved in her swimming. Today, I really saw an improvement in her crawl stroke. I believe she's actually swimming. She doesn't go far but it's pretty good. Then I tried teaching her the breast stroke. She's got the arm movements down. I don't know if the video will work or not but I decided to try it. We leave for the cottage up north tomorrow. I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not with this heat. I have heard that there is a cold front coming through on Thursday, so the high will only be 85. HaHa Hopefully, I'll have some pictures to post then.
 

It's a sad day

Well, this morning was a very emotional morning. Pastor Dale, our senior pastor, preached his last sermon at church to begin his retirement. I hate days like this. I controlled myself pretty well, until Pastor Peter (who left last summer and returned this morning) got up to say a few words. Then Pastor Dale went on to preach on John 3:16 - talking about significant loves. He proceeded to talk about all the people he wanted to thank - starting with his parents, former churches and going on to his children, then their spouses and finally his wife. Well, I knew once he got to his family, it would be all over. (it didn't help that I could see the people in front of me, wiping their eyes) Then I get myself under control again and we have communion. I see Pastor Peter serving to Pastor Dale and I start thinking - this is his last time here. I shouldn' t even think! Once more I control myself until they call him and his wife to the front. I see both of them getting tears in their eyes and I proceed to lose control again. Now that I'm home, my eyes are still sore. Hopefully, 2 weeks from now will be a lot happier when we install our new preacher of congregational life, to replace Pastor Peter.

It's hot!!

It is sooo hot out lately that our pool is really doing double duty. What else can you do on a hot day but relax in the water? After the rain Thursday night, the water level went up about
2 1/2 - 3 inches and the temperature went up too - 82 degrees. I think it's going to be getting quite a bit of use for the next few days, also.
 

The trouble we can get into!

Shaelyn and Halle were outside playing tonight. They came in, all excited to tell Grandpa what they had been doing.Shaelyn came running to Grandpa, at the same time we noticed little, muddy footprint tracks on my carpet. "Stop", I yelled, as she wiped her feet. Apparently, they had been playing in the dirt by the sandbox. We decided we had to do a little foot washing. At least they were having fun.  

The other culpit!

Here's the other culprit. Boy, can they can in trouble together. Grandpa just loves watching them play and conspire together! 

sisters

Isn't it nice to actually see the love between the 2 of them! Every once in awhile it happens! 

It's that time of year!

Well, it's that time of year again - time to start shopping for school! I'm not talking about school supplies - paper, pens, backpacks and notebooks. I'm talking about school clothes.
We went to Target yesterday. Chelsea found 2 pairs of jeans and 2 new shirts. Her jeans were only $8. She's preparing for high school and is modeling some of her new stuff! Katelyn went to the mall today and got a bunch of bargains from the clearance section - pants for $5 and shirts for $3 and $4. If you need clothes, go check out these stores. My girls were thrilled!

Look what I can do!

Shaelyn learned to pump on the swings last week! She was so proud of herself. I'm amazed at how high she gets now. (maybe I shouldn't watch) This is nice for the other girls now too, because they are usually the ones who are out there, helping her. I do love watching kids on the swings though. They are so carefree and happy and innocent looking. Ahh, the joys of childhood.

A night at the Park

Saturday was such a nice day that we decided to go to Ritters for ice cream. They have really good ice cream. It's kind of like a thicker, soft ice cream. On the way home, I decided that I wanted to check out a park I had read about. It's on 8th ave, south of M21. It has a small lake for swimming in and a nice walking path around the lake. I would have liked to walk around it but some of the girls had different ideas. They thought the toys looked like something fun to do - although Katelyn's idea of fun at the park is a little different. She takes a book everywhere, and she just wanted to read. Sorry, I wanted to put pictures on but for some reason it's not working.

bank picnic

Well, since I'm new at this, I'll give it a try and see how it turns out. Our bank had a picnic today, so Chelsea, Shaelyn and I went. Shaelyn
had fun riding the ponies. That was the main reason we went. I even
took my camera for pictures to put on my blog! Aren't you impressed! She
loves horses and who can resist a free ride. After that we waited in
line for a balloon animal and face painting. We even had lunch - hotdogs,
chips, juice and popcorn. It was just a nice little outing for the day.

It's finally here!

I'm thrilled to announce that I have finally gotten into the new age and have a blog.
Thank you Thank you Thank you Cheri for giving me the prodding I needed to take this step!
I'll try to make it be 1/2 as good as yours!