My little fish

Before I had kids, I assumed that any children of mine would be doing laps in the pool by the time they were five. At the beginning of this summer, I have a 5 year old that would sink to the bottom of the pool if I weren't there. Enough is enough. This kid is going to swim and he is going to like it, darnit. Swimming is fun. Every summer my bathing suit was glued to me. I swam in it. I hung around the house in it. I swam. I swam a lot.

Sweet B isn't as enthusiastic as Prince Charming and I are. He is just old enough to know that water is dangerous and he just isn't quite comfortable there. This summer he is in lessons 5 days a week for 45 minutes each day. I have seen amazing progress during these first 10 days.

He would never admit it, but I think he likes it. Today we went swimming at Aunt J's house. No lesson. Just fun. On the way there he told me that he doesn't want to do any swimming. He just wants to hold on to the edge and monkey crawl around the pool. And that is just what he did. At first. After a while he was backing up a ways and swimming to the steps on his own. Aunt J begged him to show her his cannonball. He obliged and after doing so, turned around and swam to the steps. This kid is so capable, it kills me. I should have known, since B is pretty much just like me, that he has his own plan and will do it on his own time. And he did. Swim team next year? Cross your fingers.

Here is some video from today.

Oh, Cabin, we heart you!

Our first trip up to the Cabin for the summer was nice. It was a bit short, but we managed to pack a lot of fun into that brief stay. None of us wanted to return home, but we felt good knowing that we would be back at the beginning of July for a longer stay.

While we were there, B caught the most fish in the Fishing Derby. He was pretty excited about that. Unfortunately, all of the fish let themselves go before he could get a good look at them. E didn't have any bites on his line. Maybe next time.

I managed to get some good porch time in. Every afternoon it stormed and on this particular day I decided that it would be perfect to grab a blanket and a book and snuggle on the couch. I was right.

Before we left we managed to get over to the zip line and enjoy a few rides.

One thing that we don't usually spend time doing at the cabin is hang out in the ER. Prince Charming has this recurring neck thing that gives him a stiff neck and limited movement. It hurts him, but he can power through and it goes away after a couple of days. This time the poor guy was completely immobile. He was in terrible pain and I finally convinced him to let me take him so that he could get some help. The PA that saw him suspected a muscle spasm and prescribed some meds. That helped a bit, but he was still unable to play golf. He was bummed about that. Hopefully we won't have to spend any more precious cabin time in the ER!

Dinner

I have really been enjoying this meal lately! Wild salmon with yummy goodies piled on top and a side of creamy orzo. Even the burps are good, people.

Worth it's weight in gold

I recently purchased one of these lovely little devices and I wonder why it took me so long to get one!  Probably because I didn't know about them, I don't watch much news you know.  And, it wouldn't surprise me if there was a news story specifically for the Clarisonic.  If there hasn't been one, then there should be!  My face has NEVER been so smooth and soft.  Thanks, Sis, for tipping me off to this wonderful invention.  My smaller pores thank you!  

There is no place like it

And we are going there.  This weekend.  To the Cabin.  

Summer is here

Goodness gracious!  It is almost like I forgot that I have a blog!  Nope, I haven’t been out of town.  Nope, I haven’t been trapped under large pieces of rubble.  I guess I just haven’t felt like writing.  I kept giving myself reasons to postpone posting.  

One reason: we have switched from PC to Mac.  While that isn’t an issue to begin with, the brand new computer that I received kept powering down on me.  THAT was a problem.  My shiny new computer was broken.  So, while waiting for the replacement, I didn’t want to upload any new pictures onto the PC because, let’s face it, if I am too lazy to write a bit on my happy little blog, then I am too lazy to transfer those pictures onto the new computer whenever it arrived.  I also didn’t have much to write about at the time, so I thought the break would do me good. 

Turns out, I don’t have anything good to write about now.   I think I have been BORED.  My parents are at their cabin for the summer so I don’t have weekly dinners at their house to look forward to.  B has finished up Preschool and summer has officially begun.  I think I am having a hard time shifting from the daily grind to the more relaxed way of life that summer brings with it.  Also, when the parent is bored, it is hard to find ways for the children NOT to be bored.  I guess I am zapped.  I need inspiration.  I need something to get me off my duff in the morning that adds a spring to my step.  Right now I feel like I have bricks attached to my feet and I am just trudging through the day.   I will find it.  I know I will.  

One thing I am looking forward to is an egg!  Our oldest hen should start laying her eggs soon.  I check the box every day, even though I know in my heart that it is still a bit early.  I am a little surprised by the lack of guesses in my “Egg Drop” game.   Only 3.  For those of you who have guessed, thank you for playing!  For those of you who are too lazy to guess, well, I might have been too lazy to play as well (considering my case of the “blahs” and everything). 

I need to work on some of my parenting skills.  I wish I weren’t so short with the boys.  I feel like I could be more patient and loving during times that don’t necessarily warrant snippy behavior from me.  The phrase, “Don’t cry over spilled milk” comes to mind.  For example, E had an accident in the bathroom this morning.  He didn’t pull his pants down to go pee and ended up peeing all over the floor.  I got frustrated and mad.  I couldn’t see past the fact that he peed on the floor in front of a perfectly good toilet.  In hindsight, I should have grabbed a towel, gently explained that he needs to actually pull his pants down before he goes pee, and helped him get cleaned up.  I focused on the accident itself, not the teaching moment.  There isn’t any room for shame and belittling in ANY of my relationships.

Okay, enough posting for today.  One thing I am super excited about?  I fixed dinner this afternoon before going to swim lessons.  I don’t have to cook tonight!  What is on the menu?  Cold chicken pasta salad.  YUM!  

Egg Drop 2009

Now that our Hens are starting to mature, we are anxiously awaiting the day when we will find our first egg.  I thought it would be fun to make this a bit interactive, so I am officially announcing the Egg Drop 2009 pool.  

I will include a little information for you so that you can make an educated guess.  Typically, hens start laying eggs between 18 and 24 weeks of age.  I know that seems like a wide range, but I received differing opinions from my chicken books as well as the backyard chicken community.  

Currently, Harriet is 15 weeks old and the other three (Lola, Henny, and Cutie) are 11 weeks old. 

In order to participate in Egg Drop 2009, please leave your educated guess (one per person please) in the comments section.  The person who picks the day in which the first egg is found is the winner!  

It has been suggested that the winner receive the first egg.  However, I am a bit too selfish to let that one go.  Besides, I hear the first egg is pretty puny.  

Happy guessing and good luck!