Swimming Lessons

Even before I became a mother, I knew I wanted my kids to be able to swim, and swim well. This is partly because I am not a great swimmer, and mostly because we live near the beach.

I want to be able to take all the kids to the beach on hot summer day and {relax in my beach chair}, um, I mean relax knowing they are competent in the water.

Last night, I took John-Paul and Andrew to swim lessons at the YMCA.

They. were. super. excited. (to say the least)

Andrew thinks swimming is the funniest thing ever, he just laughed through the whole lesson. He won't put his face in the water, but he's trying to learn the strokes.

John-Paul takes his lessons very seriously. He has no fear of the water, loves to jump in and swim underwater, but is a little less-coordinated.

I'm thinking that by the time it is summer, they'll be ready for the beach. And I'll be ready for that beach chair...

A little secret

Here's one of my frugal tips:

At the beginning of the month, go to Walgreens and pick up an Easy Saver Catalog. It is filled with coupons and rebates, and always has a bunch of items that you can get for free after the mail-in-rebate.

I seriously get so much free toothpaste, shampoo, makeup, etc. each month that I hardly ever have to buy it.

You can thank me later :-)

It's a sad day

And it's especially sad for the future of the unborn babies :-(

We tried our best, now we just need to pray for Obama's conversion.

"Let Go and Let God"

Why can't anybody hear me?

Oh yeah, because I've lost my voice...AGAIN.

I have a cold, and for the last 5 years or so, whenever I get a bad cold, I lose my voice. Why does this happen???

At least Phil and the kids are benefiting from it, though, because Mommy can't nag as much ;) or raise her voice.

It is funny to see how people react when I whisper instead of talk. Almost EVERYBODY whispers back, it cracks me up!

Belated Bewitched Halloween Pictures

Running Errands

Saturday mornings usually mean it's time to run errands. And that usually means I take the older boys with me while Phil stays home with the little ones.

Before I leave, I feel really good about my decision to take John-Paul & Andrew; they can have big-boy-time, Phil doesn't deserve to be left alone with all 4 kiddos, and I can spoil them just a little.

The boys are good...at the first store. But by the second store, it's all a downward spiral straight to Whineyville. "I'm hungry", "I'm thirsty", "I have to go poop" (said loudly for all to hear), "I want that toy".

By the third store, they've built up to chaotic running around like little madmen on drugs. By now, they've already had warnings, threats, and punishments, so I give time-outs in the store chairs, which works...for a couple minutes.

We pile in the van to head home, and just as I'm at my wits-end, one of them will inevitably say "That was fun, Mom. Thank you". Oh those devils sure know how to melt their mother's heart.