A day at the Bisbee pool.

We had such a fun time at the city pool today. It was cloudy but the water was fine! It's so cheap to go ($1.50 for adults kids are free), how could we not. Those black foam squares add padding and help keep the water warm in the baby pool. No yellow water in our baby pool, don't worry we didn't stay in there all day.
The kids loved the slide. The slide is a new addition this year. The girls went down the first couple times with a life jacket on because they were a little unsure about swimming in the deep end. By the third time down Sydney had shed her jacket and was swimming like a fish. Alex didn't really enjoy the slide. The smaller they are the faster they came out. Poor Alex looked like she was being shot out of a cannon. I must have tried at least 20 times to get a picture of Sydney flying out of the slide, but I just could not time it right. The best picture I got is below.
Sydney is a great swimmer but put her goggles on and she's a natural born fish!
Alex is a big girl in a little body. She's working so hard on swimming better so she can be just like her sister. What sweet little girls I have. I enjoyed every minute of being at the pool with them today. We had a great time all day, right up to the minute they blew the whistle and made us get out because of the thunder. We will definitely be going again!!

Happy 31 Mom and Dad

Yesterday was my parents 31st wedding anniversary. My Dad asked my Mom what she wanted to do to celebrate. My moms answer was to spend the evening with the Grand kids at McDonald's. My parents were great parents, but even better Grandparents. They are so good to my kids! My Mom and I talk at least once a day, if not more. My Dad would give me the shirt off his back if I asked. They are the most selfless people I know. I know my kids love them very much. Seeing them with my children makes me love and respect my parents even more. My Mom is my Mother, my Sister, and my best friend all rolled into one person. My Dad is the strongest guy I know. He can be rough and tough but when his two little Grandgirls are around he's a real softy. I love you Mom and Dad, Happy Anniversary!

Summer Reading Program Week 4

The good, the bad, and the ugly. Today a few staff members from the Copper Queen Community Hospital came and taught the kids how to wash their hands. They talked about when we should wash our hands and what happens if we don't wash our hands. They taught the kids to sing their ABC's as they wash their hands, to make sure they get the full 20 seconds of hand washing in. They said you could also sing Happy Birthday twice.
The kids were given a special lotion to put on their hands before they went and washed. Then they went and practised washing their hands the way the ladies had demonstrated. There was a whole lot of ABC singing going on!
Then once all the kids had washed their hands we went back into the main room. They turned out the lights and went over the kids hands with a black light. If they didn't get all the special lotion off it lit up. Many of the older kids did pretty well, the little kids hands were gross, and not one kid there had perfectly germ free hands. It was amazing to see how much is left behind even when you think you've washed your hands well enough. There were a few moms, me included, that helped their children wash their hands. I thought we did pretty well, but the black light proved otherwise.
They handed out little coloring books about hand washing and other healthy habits. As soon as we got home, both girls went potty. Soon after giggling and ABC's came erupting out of the bathroom. What a great habit for the kids to start, I just hope they start singing quietly to themselves or I may not ever like the ABC song again!!
Next week we'll be learning about the Fourth of July (my Dad's birthday!). We'll learn about how we gained our independence and the kids will get to make a fun craft. I can't wait!!

Just Like Dad!

This is what we did last night. No t.v., no phone calls, no family over. We turned on music and the kids rocked out. I don't think Alex is wanting to get well very fast, she is being very spoiled. She gets to choose what we have to eat, what we do all day, and where we go. We've pretty much stayed home playing games or swimming, and we've had plenty of soup to eat. Last night before we rocked out, Clay wanted to clean up the house a little bit. Alex was laying on the couch and when Clay went to get the vacuum she said "Mom, this is not going to help my throat". What a goober. We did clean, she even helped. I bet it felt nice to dance around on a nice clean floor.
Alex has been handling Strep well. In fact, she acts pretty normal all day long. She plays, she runs around, she swims, eats, drinks, and is merry! Then night time comes. She coughs and coughs, fever elevates, she cries because the coughing makes her throat hurt. This Strep monster only comes out at night. I give her medicine to her, rock her in the rocking chair, and she sleeps pretty soundly. I'm glad she's feeling better because last night my throat started hurting, I'll need a good nurse!

Seeing is Believing

Pictures don't lie! That is actually my husband in the pool with the girls. Those of you who know Clay are probably thinking the pictures are a fake. I wouldn't have believed it my self if I hadn't been there. Clay would be so angry if he knew I put these pictures on the blog, because he thinks he's so white. Who cares about white, he's in the pool!
The kids had a blast with Dad. What a great surprise. The girls and I were just relaxing in the pool (that's what Alex thought might make her throat feel better), and out walks Clay in his swim trunks. I almost fainted right there in the pool! I love surprises like that. Thanks Clay, you're awesome!! Alex has been handling Strep very well, way better than I ever did.

Ugh, not again!!!

Poor little punkin (that's what Clay has always called her, not puMpkin, puNkin) Alex. Today she and Sydney hung out with me today because Clay was working. About an hour into our afternoon, Alex started crying and said her throat hurt. Ugh, please not Strep. Had an easy dinner of pizza because hubby wasn't home. Finally found the thermometer, and it was a scorching 102.9. ER trip! We leave at 6:30. It's 9pm now and we're just getting home. The three exhausted illegals come before my poor little sick citizen. ANYWAYS....strep test positive, prescription in hand, and home to rest. We'll be Cloroxing the house tomorrow. Isn't this a weird time of year to get strep?? I think I'm just a little sad we won't be swimming for a bit. The good thing about the ER trip.....bear and blanket. How sweet of them! The blanket is big enough to cover Alex and the bear is so cute. It may have taken awhile to get checked out but Alex thought it was worth it. She hasn't let go of the bear or blanket since we got home. We're in for a fun weekend, hope everyone else has a better one than us!!

Summer Reading Program Week 3

This week a former professional dancer, Jeri McAndrews, came and taught the kids some moves. It was mostly walking steps and arm movements. My kids still had a blast. I thought it was great, even the youngest child could participate. A few of the songs they danced to the girls even knew, so that made it even more fun! I remember doing something like this in grade school with a big parachute. This was Sydney's favorite part of the day. She thought it was so neat to be under the scarf but still be able to see through it. The girls have been hiding under blankets and sheets since we got home. Clay even held a corner and did a little dance with them!
Alex said she liked break dancing the best. Anytime she gets on the floor and does anything she calls it break dancing. She was telling Clay that they learned some break dancing. You should have seen his face. He looked up at me like, What kind of program is this. Too funny!
I'm a horrible picture taker, but when the kids are dancing around and moving, it's a 100 times worse. We did get a few decent pictures to remember the event by.

Next week someone from the hospital is going to come in and talk about Microbiology. Alex asked "We don't have to get shots do we"? We'll see what happens.

Summertime blues?..............Pool Party!!!

Kids are so dang funny. This is a blow up basketball hoop for the pool. Well the blow up beach ball that went to it was lost a couple years ago. Still, the kids will not let me get rid of it. To them, this is more than just a basketball hoop. They play pirates. One of them is always Captain Jack Sparrow. We have little dive sticks and they pretend it's their treasure. Then one is usually the Kraken and tries to tip the boat. It's hilarious what they think of.
Sometimes it's a spaceship. Today, they couldn't find cookies on Mars so the aliens had to come to earth to get them. Mommy ended up having to make cookies because this story carried on into the house! When I'm in the pool, we like to play king of the mountain with the basketball hoop. I lay on it and they try to tip me over. It keeps us busy for hours. There is always lots of splashing, laughing, and dunking. In case you forgot, I'll remind you....we LOVE to be in the pool.
I just love this picture of Sydney (who turns 8 in Nov.). I wish every day of summer vacation could be as fun and relaxing as this picture makes it look. Those noodle things are a blast. I like to fill them with water and blow it out one end. We call it the Elephant. It gets us all went and makes a funny noise too! We had so much fun today, I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Lost Front Tooth................At Last!!

Sydney has been working on this loose tooth for months now! It has finally come out. We were at Grandma Wings on Saturday, when sydney bit into an oatmeal raisin cookie. Her tooth got stuck in a raisin and out it came. She was so excited! She still has a few more loose. Hopefully they'll come out a little faster than the last one. This makes her third lost tooth. The tooth fairy brought her two dollar bills, and one gold dollar coin. The tooth fairy even found us at my Aunt bev's house. Sydney was so worried she wouldn't come!
The girls and I at my grandpa Stanley's house. It was neat to see the kids with their Great Grandpa. He's a hoot. He used to be kind mean and grouchy when I was growing. I didn't really spend much time with him. He has Alzheimer's now. It's like he's a new man. More like a little boy, he's a lot of fun with the kids. The only draw back to visiting now, is the heat! You people who live in Phoenix are just plain nuts, I thought I was going to die over the weekend!

A Tribute to our Fathers

To all the very special Fathers in our lives. We love you very much. We are so thankful for all you do for us, for all the love and support you freely give. We hope one day to be as caring and strong as you. Happy Father's Day 2008.


A Little Girl Needs Daddy: A little girl needs Daddy For many, many things: Like holding her high off the ground Where the sunlight sings! Like being the deep music That tells her all is right When she awakens frantic with The terrors of the night. Like being the great mountain That rises in her heart And shows her how she might get home When all else falls apart. Like giving her the love That is her sea and air, So diving deep or soaring high She'll always find him there. Author Unknown What Makes a Dad: God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, And so, He called it ... Dad Author Unknown
Father's Day Over the years: As we grow old, We remember our father So brave and bold. In the garden, Leaning on the plow, He would listen to me; I see him now. He would give advice And understand; He was always there To lend a hand. God made fathers Strong and firm, For he knew our lives Would have great concerns. So he gave us fathers To teach us to pray, And guide our lives, And show us the way. So on his day Let's take the time To say "Thanks, dad. I'm glad you're mine." Mary Frances Bogle
Daddy, I Love You: Daddy, I love you For all that you do. I'll kiss you and hug you ' Cause you love me, too. You feed me and need me To teach you to play, So smile 'cause I love you On this Father's Day. Author Unknown
My Dad's Hands: Bedtime came, we were settling down, I was holding one of my lads. As I grasped him so tight, I saw a strange sight: My hands. . .they looked like my dad's! I remember them well, those old gnarled hooks, there was always a cracked nail or two. And thanks to a hammer that strayed from its mark, his thumb was a beautiful blue! They were rough, I remember, incredibly tough, as strong as a carpenter's vice. But holding a scared little boy at night, they seemed to me awfully nice! The sight of those hands - how impressive it was in the eyes of his little boy. Other dads' hands were cleaner, it seemed (the effects of their office employ). I gave little thought in my formative years of the reason for Dad's raspy mitts: The love in the toil, the dirt and the oil, rusty plumbing that gave those hands fits! Thinking back, misty-eyed, and thinking ahead, when one day my time is done. The torch of love in my own wrinkled hands will pass on to the hands of my son. I don't mind the bruises, the scars here and there or the hammer that just seemed to slip. I want most of all when my son takes my hand, to feel that love lies in the grip. David Kettler
Fathers are Wonderful People: Fathers are wonderful people Too little understood, And we do not sing their praises As often as we should... For, somehow, Father seems to be The man who pays the bills, While Mother binds up little hurts And nurses all our ills... And Father struggles daily To live up to "HIS IMAGE"As protector and provider And "hero or the scrimmage"... And perhaps that is the reason We sometimes get the notion, That Fathers are not subject To the thing we call emotion, But if you look inside Dad's heart, Where no one else can see You'll find he's sentimental And as "soft" as he can be... But he's so busy every day In the grueling race of life, He leaves the sentimental stuff To his partner and his wife... But Fathers are just WONDERFUL In a million different ways, And they merit loving compliments And accolade of praise, For the only reason Dad aspires To fortune and success Is to make the family proud of him And to bring them happiness... And like OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, He's a guardian and a guide, Someone that we can count on To be ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE. Helen Steiner Rice

Summer Reading Program week 2

Today was insect day! The kids were so excited. Most of the insects that they saw today were alive. The bugs ranged from baby stink beetles all the way to Tarantulas. It was great fun! A few of the kids in the program even got to hold the tarantula. My girls said no way to holding it, but they did pet it. The presenter even put a piece of paper against the tarantula and it's fangs came out and latched on to it. It was really cool to see, the fangs looked like cat claws.
They had all different kinds of bugs. This scorpion was so cool, you could see him really well. A few of the little girls were afraid of the really creepy looking ones, but for the most part the kids loved it! The presenter was so engaging on the kids level. He was a riot, he joked a lot about eating the bugs.
Wednesday's are Sydney and Alex's favorite day of the week. Sydney marks the days on her calendar just so she knows exactly when it is library day. I asked the girls what their favorite part of the bug presentation was. Alex liked the big tarantula the most. She says it was really soft. Sydney liked the scorpion the best. The presenter brought it around in the dark with a UV light and it was glowing. She thought that was super cool.

Next week they are going to have a dance presentation. The girls are already picking out what they're going to wear to it! Stay tuned for more!

Marco.........Polo

Summer is my favorite time of the year. The kids are home from school. No hectic schedule to keep up with. No weather issues that require numerous amounts of clothing. For me, it's the simplicity of summer that I like best. Lazy days around the pool, the only major worry is making sure I remember to reapply sunscreen after lunch. Sydney did not want to swim today. No matter what I tried she said she did not want to. I finally had pushed her with enough "why nots" that she blurted out "I don't want to get my hair wet". HA HA. What a girlie girl! Alex and I went out to the pool and not 3 minutes later Sydney was out there too. I told her she didn't have to get her hair wet. I told her we would be sad swimming without her. She was in like a flash. As you can see from the pictures, her hair did get wet. By the smile on her face, she enjoyed it too!
The girls favorite thing to do with these noodle things is to fill them up with water and blow it out. They sprayed each other, me (in the face), and of course the poor old dog. We made swirlies. we swim in a big circle around the sides until we almost get sick then stop and let the current carry us. Uncle Colin and Aunt Amy help make the best swirlies (remember that guys?). Even after we got out of the pool they wanted to play in the bathtub in warm water in their suits. Clay calls us his little water bugs. We live in the water no matter what season it is. Whether it's in our pool, in our bathtub, at the lake, or at the beach. I'm looking forward to a quiet night with my scrapbooks tonight, or maybe I'll finish Clay's quilt ( I'm attempting to make Clay a quilt for our anniversary with a little help, but thats a whole different blog). After a long day of swimming, my kids will be worn out and in bed early!

Welcome Home!

YAY! The kids arrived home safe and sound and as spoiled as ever. They were so excited to be home, and Clay and I were so excited to have them home. We almost ditched church to have a party to celebrate. Instead we celebrated after church with yummy lunch, clean house, and a movie and popcorn later. Who ever first said "absence makes the heart grow fonder", absolutely knew what they were talking about. It's amazing all the little things you can take for granted just because their so mundane and happen on a daily basis. It's been so nice to have some quality time with our children. I don't think they've quit talking about Nanas house since they got home.

One thing we have learned this vacation is that when the kids return home, their pockets and belongings must have a full and thorough search! I'll fill you in on why. You know Grandparents, spoil their Grandkids then send them home. My parents are no different. New toys, Happy Meal toys, coloring books, toys for the pool, pretty rocks, bird eggs, hair ribbons, and countless other treasures. Yes, I think my parents get an A+ in spoiling.

So I went to my moms last weekend and stayed with her. I remember her sending bird eggs home but didn't really think much of them. They have Lovebirds that keep laying eggs but none ever hatch. So my mom put about 8 of them in a ziploc bag and had the girls take them home and try to hatch them at our house. Great idea, thanks mom! Not only do I have to try to hatch them but I also have to explain what is in them, where they come out of the bird, and why they don't hatch! Well, by the time we got home, the eggs were long forgotten. They were so happy to be home to their own toys and their own books it was almost like Christmas. So we hauled everything in and proceeded to unpack and start the laundry.

Now fast forward a week. The kids have once more gone to Nanas but this time without mommy. Way more treats, goodies, toys and spoiling going on when mom isn't around. It's even rumored that they had cookies and koolaid for breakfast one morning. Can't be true, can it? Not my MOTHER! So, I go to pick them up Saturday in the car, we come home through Sierra Vista and run a ton of errands. Needless to say we don't make it home in time for Clay to take the car to work, so he has to take the truck. I drive the truck around all the time. It's old, the AC isn't that great, but it's gets me there. Clay calls that evening. This is how the conversation goes.

Clay:"Wife, your truck smells like death". "Did the girls leave a chicken McNugget in there or something"?

Roxy: "I don't think so". "I know it always smells a bit musty after rain".

Clay: "When was the last time it rained wife"?

Roxy: "Right, OK, well tomorrow I'll check it out". "Have a great time driving death home tonight, love you".

Well, tomorrow is today. I open the door, yep, smells pretty bad. I'm looking everywhere. I'm not seeing any chicken McNuggets or milk or anything that would smell sooooo bad. I get to the drivers side and way upfront underneath the seat, under a Safeway bag is a ziploc bag of hot, rotting, unhatched, spoiled bird eggs. Green and everything. OH SICK! (feel free to hurl, I almost did). To make an already long story shorter, I walked that bag to a dumpster three streets down and Febreezed the heck out of my truck. I'm not sure febreeze is going to handle this stank. So I've made a detailing appointment to.

The morale of this story is.......... Don't miss your kids so much that you forget what their grandparents have sent home with them. Always check under the seats!!

The things I can do........

when my kids are at Nanas. My mom came and got the kids yesterday right after their reading program. She is going to have them until Saturday. It's amazing how you can be so happy and so sad at the same time. Let's start with Happy.

It's so peaceful in the morning. I can exercise, go back to bed, get up when I want to. I can do dishes and wipe the table, and sweep the floor. Come dinner time the kitchen is still clean......who knew! I can listen to LOUD music as I clean, I can watch my kind of t.v. shows (no spongebob or Tom and Jerry for a few days). I ca have cold cereal if I want to for dinner. I can have quiet time with hubby and not have to worry about Mom I need a snack, Mom where's my glass of water, Mom will you play a game with me, Mom Mom Mom! It's so nice to just sit with my feet up and veg if I want to. Kitchen is clean, DVD collection alphabetized, beds made, rooms clean, and floor vacuumed. I still have one whole day of self centered, self absorbed, selfishness!!

On to the sad part of the story. It's amazing how much you can miss the kids. Snuggling in the mornings, hearing them giggling together, wrestling with them. Even their little stories, their smells, their smiles. It's nice to have a break but it is also lonely. I love being a mom more than anything. I have my dream job! So when I get to take a vacation from my job it's a little weird. When I left this morning for my walk, out of habit, I put the sign on the door that says Mom went for a walk, I turned the t.v. to cartoons and double locked the door. When I walked up my drive way after my walk and got to the front door my first thought was, I wonder if the girls are up. I even sat and watched cartoons while I ate breakfast. I don't like to call them when their away because Alex always will cry. Their voices on the phone sound so different than in person, they sound so little. Having them away puts my role as a mother back in perspective. It's amazing how much a mother and her children can depend on each other to be happy and to function. I love having my kids gone, but I would much rather have them here. I can't wait for Saturday to come. So, I'm off to read, maybe take an afternoon bubble bath, and maybe have a movie marathon. Those of you whose kids are home, give them a big hug just for the heck of it, maybe drop everything and play a game! Enjoy them. Enjoy being a mom.

Summer Reading Program

Today was the first day of the summer reading program at the Bisbee Library. It was great fun, way more fun that I thought it was going to be. The reading program is an hour a week and at the end of the program they have a pool party. Today the book we read was The Lazy Ladybug. It went right along with the craft they got to make. We have never been to the Bisbee Library. The kids section of this library is so cool. They have their own little area with toys, and chairs, and of course books. All weekend my kids have been asking if it was Wednesday yet! Once we got there it was well worth the wait for them. They sang songs, got to pick a free book to take home, and got their name tags.
They get to set personal reading goals. The recieved time logs and book logs. The girls are so excitied to fill out the logs with their progress. Sydney set her own goals, and Alex and I are partners. So mommy isn't off the hook. I like these kinds of activities, when the parents have to be involved. I had just as much fun watching them as they did participating.
I can't believe how much stuff they get in this program, and free no less. They each got their own bag, and every week they attend they get a free book, they get to make a craft every week, and have snacks. The bookshelf that Clay made in their bedroom is going to come in handy.
I thought their ladybug hats, that they made this week for their craft, were so cute! Easy to make too. We're looking forward to next week when they will have live insects to look at. What a great summer activity for the kids! They love reading, and to do it with their friends and other kids makes it that much more enjoyable. What a great begining to an already exciting summer.

Fun in the Sun!

If you know anything about us at all, you'll know that come summer time you have a hard time getting a hold of us. We're either in the pool or gone. This weekend we were both!

Another fun weekend in the sun. We spent the weekend at my moms house. We spent all day in the pool at my moms, even had lunch poolside and didn't get out until the sun was going down. My mom is soooo tan it's crazy. I'm a little burned but hopefully it will just turn brown. Thank goodness for Coppertone for the kids! They are tan now, no burns, yay!!
My mom was house sitting so we got to go and have a sleepover at that house! It was fun, almost like being in a hotel. This hotel came equipped with kids toys and a full service kitchen for free! Well worth the trip! Most of our summer pictures are going to be of us in the pool. We live in the water once school is out. There may be a few beach or vacation pictures. Get ready for a long summer of looking at swimming pool pictures!