Just Keep Swimming

Preston started swim lessons this week. Here's just a few pics. (Sorry they're blurry and kind of dark.)

Waiting for class to start. (He's the short one in the blue shorts)

I like to call this one "Oreo" or "SPF 50 Required". (Is my boy white or what?!)

Practicing the breathing technique with the rings.

Kicking. Our favorite part.

Stroke... breathe... stroke...




Taking the dumbell out for a swim... I'm talking about the swim apparatus!

Notice the technique. Tongue out allows you to swim better.

(Oh and notice how the instructor has one eye back on the kids? Too funny!)

Let's try swimming on our back.

Looking not so sure.

"Mom, are you sure this guy is a 'certified instructor'?"

"It's all good!"

The Big Brother's New Do

First of all if haven't heard our big news, you'll want to click here.

We finally broke down and decided to pay a professional to cut Preston's hair. Up until then my mother-in-law or myself have been trimming it here and there. I can't speak for my mother-in-law but I had no clue what I was doing and thus Preston's hair has suffered for it.

Phillip was needing to get his hair cut so we decided to go ahead and let them take a whack at Preston. As Phillip is a simple (and thrifty) kind of guy he just goes to one of those walk-in type places. Preston was called first and although the hair dresser (or is it hair stylist... beautician... beauty salon person? I haven't a clue) didn't speak much English I attempted to tell her what I'd like to have done with Preston. I kind of wanted to keep the bowl cut we had going but I had fears that she would shave the back and sides and Preston would look walk out looking like Mo of the 3 Stooges. Helmet hair is not cool. Anyway as I was laboriously trying to explain, "Just do like we have here, nothing fancy, nothing adult or teenage looking, uhm... more like a trim, well not like a trim... uhm..." At this point I'm sure she's either thinking "Oh, I got one of those moms" or "I cannot understand a thing she is saying". Thankfully she interrupts me and says, "You want little boy hair cut?" Uhm, yes that's what a I want, do that. Although I'm pretty sure that directly translates from English to her native language to mean "Shut up woman. I cut, you like." Regardless I think she did a really good job. Not exactly what I thought I wanted, but she did cut and I do like. Sorry Karen, our boys no longer have matching hair-do's.

Coming Soon December 2008!

It's June 1st and what better time than to think about December. A time of cooler weather, snow (for some) and Christmas; my favorite time of year. To help us get in the mood here's what we have to look forward to this December:

• First of all December means Christmas! And who isn't excited about Christmas? Preston will be four and will without a doubt be super excited about you-know-who coming to visit.
  
  




• A new Star Trek movie! That's right Star Trek XI (that's number eleven, folks). I have to admit that I actually saw one or two of the first ten, but I think I'll pass on this one.

• This Park Avenue vanity will be available for purchase in December. Break out your platinum Visas friends, this one is going to cost you $1083.33 and I'm pretty sure that doesn't include shipping. Hey it is on sale!

• Another movie set to release this December is Opus: The Last Christmas. This one is on my must-see list as I've always been a huge Bloom County Fan. It'll be interesting to see how Opus makes it on the big screen.

• A new Sesame Street book for hardcore Muppet/Sesame fans is being released December 26, 2008. "Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street" will be a hardcover book consisting of 384 pages and promises to be full of Muppety Goodness.
  
  




• And last but certainly not least there will be a new HappyChap arriving December of 2008. Merry Christmas everybody!

Summertime, Summertime, Sum Sum, Summertime...

Your calendar may still say spring but here in Texas it's summer! We've had our first full week of 90 degree temperatures and our lows have only been around the upper 70's. That's a record high for a low. Or a record low as a high... I'm confused. Anyway it's hot! I've been too lazy to break out the blow up pool so the hose and sprinkler have been getting a work out. Munchkin much prefers playing with the actual hose than the sprinkler so I decided to put him to work.

"That's right, you're doing a fine job," I say as I sit on the porch and sip my iced tea.

Let's focus here. Water plants... not shoes.

"When you're done can you get me another iced tea?"

He takes his watering very seriously.

Just so you know that I'm not all bad, I let the little guy have some fun with our homemade waterslide.

Checking it out first.

Cowabunga!

Success!

Did I mention it's hot here?

My New Gig

Since I often find myself struggling to find something interesting to blog about I decided to up and get a job. Let's just ignore the fact that I've got about a dozen "drafts" all half-written and completely boring waiting just below the surface of blogland. But anyway, I thought I'd actually DO something interesting and then I'd get to blog about it. (Gee after all this hype I hope it's worth it.)

Now my sister decided to get a job too. I'm not sure who got theirs first, but since she's the oldest and she can probably still beat me up I'll say it was her. What is that you say? "Doesn't my sister already have a job as a high paid elementary school teacher and thus lives in her mansion upon the high hill of the land?" you ask. Uhm sort of. "Why would your sister want to spend her summers making more money waiting tables in the land of plenty?" you ask. Beats me but this post isn't about her, it's about ME and MY new job. Sorry sis, get your own blog.

Now for those of you wondering (all two of you) yes, I'm still going to stay at home with my little munchkin, it's not like I decided to wait tables or something. And I'm sure all of the diners out there are thanking their timely refilled drinks right about now. But I'm in the food service business sort of. A friend of mine runs a Joy of Connecting thingy (technical term) out of her home. About twice a month she invites women of the community who own their own business into her home to network with other women. It really is a beautiful thing. It's women rallying together to help each other and get their businesses off the ground. It's not quite as touching as one of those Hallmark commericals but it still gets you right here.

Basically she has hired myself and a couple of other moms to help prepare and serve food during these events. So for about 5 hours I cook, clean, serve, and help out wherever possible. Kind of like being at home. And also like home I get to eat this yummy food we have prepared once everyone else has been served and taken care of. Gosh who knew I could get paid for that?! Then for a couple of hours the ladies take turns yacking (technical term) about their business and what they do. So far I've met a masseuse, yoga instructor, hardwood floor installer, several photographers, caterer, makeup artist, dog groomer, and a personal life coach (whatever that is). My life will be complete once I meet that doggy life coach/makeup artist.

Oh and the best part. I get paid. Paid pretty well for 5 hours of doing stuff I would/should be doing at home. Of course did those things magically get done here at my house? Well no, but munchkin looked well fed and he was fast asleep when I got home so that's all I can ask.

Wordless Wednesday: Show Off

Found this little fella sunbathing on my windowsill. Ain't he cute?

Fore more Wordless Wednesday fun check out here and here.

You Can Stop Voting Now

Thanks to all who have voted for my Kroger bag. I just read the fine print in the contest and in order for my submission to even be considered I would have to place in the top ten in terms of most votes. I have 15 votes. Pretty good, huh? I just checked the current standing and I would need to find a few thousand friends fast in order to even come close before the contest ends. Number ten currently stands with 8,743 votes. Ron O. in Alabama has 36,366 votes. Wow, he's one popular guy. Think he's got any friends he'd be willing to loan me? Or perhaps share his secret method of voting for himself on multiple computers? I think my library only has about a dozen computers and frankly I just don't have the time and energy to cheat.

Oh well, at least I'll get my free bag. That is if I can ever find one in the store. Maybe Ron O. sent his buddies out to collect them all.

Oh and yes, that Iris was one of the ones that bloomed in my front yard. Pretty isn't it?