Hot Crustacean Band

I put soap in my boots, rubbed it around, buckled them up, and jumped in the water like I was some kind of pro. I just knew today was going to be the day. The day I would clear my first wake. The boat took off. I pulled myself up out of the water. The boat gained speed. The rope tightened, and I cut for the wake. Yes, today was going to be the day. My speed increased as I got closer to the wake. I prepared myself for the jump, and I hit the water. Hard.

I am sure I was quite the sight EVERY time I did these massive cartwheels in the water. I would come home from every lake trip with at least one good bruise, usually multiple. I never was able to jump the wake. I am okay with that. I was just happy to be out on the lake. I loved that summer. Every weekend out on a boat. My friends doing some crazy tricks, and me doing crazy cartwheels. I made falling look good, or maybe I just made falling look like it hurt.

The dirty, creature filled (and who knows what else filled) lake water never even phased me, but put me in a swimming pool, and I am one unhappy girl. Pretty, clear, sparkling, cold water. . . can't do it. I have never been a big fan of swimming pools. I am the girl that still has to plug her nose to go under water. You won't find me jumping off a diving board. Terrifies me. I took swim lessons. I know how to swim. I learned how to do pretty swan dives. I just don't enjoy it.

My kids on the other hand LOVE the swimming pool. Me being the wonderful mother I am, take them. Unfortunately, I don't have a swim suit yet this year, so Mike has had to take the kids when he gets home from work. Bummer for me. Actually I am more than thrilled to sit on the sidelines and take pictures, and shout out words of encouragement to the rest of the clan.

We have gone twice to the pool so far this summer. I will hold out as long as I can, not taking the kids by myself, during the day. The water is too cold for me still. The kiddo's don't last very long either. Like I said the water is cold. They live it up though, even if it is only for five minutes.

They hold out as long as they can, teeth chattering and all. Then we spend the next 30 minutes wrapped in towels, or lying in the sun warming up, watching everyone else play in the pool.

People watching can amuse me for hours. My children are the same way. For now I am fine with "people watching" from the side of the pool. Soon enough I know it's going to be too hot for watching from the sidelines. Like I said earlier I am a "good" mom, so I will break down and buy myself a suit, but for the next few weeks I am more than happy to be the cheerleader on the side.

Where the Wind Comes Sweepin'

I admit, the kids and I are rarely "up and at 'em" before 8 o'clock on any given morning. Yesterday I woke up early. I thought about going back to sleep, but I knew it was going to be too good of a day to waste on extra sleep. The hint of sunshine peeking through my bedroom blinds told me so. After the sun spoke to me, I got up and decided to head to the store, and get my shopping done before the kiddos were up for the day.

I love making shopping lists. There are times when I stray from those lists. Yesterday was one of those days. Walking past the toy aisle, I remembered my kids were running out of play dough. I found the play dough and into the cart it went. Then I thought, bubbles could be fun, so into the cart they went. That's when my eye caught the "travel toys". That's when it happened. I decided right then and there we were going on a road trip. Right now.

I got a few "travel toys", paid for my purchases and went home to pack up the family. I knew exactly where we would go, but it was going to be a surprise for them.

Have you seen the Disney-Pixar movie Up? I took the kid's to see it Friday. We loved it. To quote the movie: "The wilderness must be explored!" That was exactly my plan. To explore the wilderness.

We went to the Arbuckle Wilderness Zoo, in Davis Oklahoma. You drive through the "wilderness", and the animals come up to your car and you feed them special food. I can't remember a time this past year, where I have laughed so hard, for so long.

Isaac giggled so hard from the emus and ostriches I thought he would wet his pants. I laughed so hard from him laughing so hard, I feared the same for my pants. Yet, as hard as I was laughing on the outside I was crying on the inside. Those birds scared me. They were crazy. They would stick those long necks clear across my body and reach the middle console, where we had our cups of food sitting, and try to rip the cups out of our hands. My vote is crazy.

The llamas didn't make a good impression on Ainsley.
Nor did the donkeys. She insisted they were trying to eat her. Come on now, who could resist this smile?
Okay when you put it that way. . . I can see your point.
I think Mike had a soft spot for the zebras. Was pretty amazing to be feeding a zebra out of the palm of your hand.
My pick of the day. . . drum roll please. . . the giraffes. I have never given much thought to the creature before. Never on my top picks of favorite animals. I have always thought it an interesting, almost awkward kind of animal. Abnormally long neck. Abnormally long, wobbly-looking legs. Two small odd looking horns things on top of it's head. Odd.

I am now 100% in love though. These guys were so gentle, and really just amazing. It was love at first sight for Ainsley. She probably could have fed the giraffes all day. I would have stuck around all day with them too, if I could.


A day WELL SPENT "exploring" the "wilderness". The sun never lies.

Here.

Can you believe I have only picked up my camera twice since we have been home from Arizona. An entire month has just flown by.

We have been busy. You know money, health, rainy weather, diets, exercise etc. Nothing new and exciting, just LIFE, and we ALL know what that is like.

Summer is finally on it's way. My kids are loving their sprinklers, slip n slides, and baby pool. I had to cut it back to once a week. This is why:

I sent the kids out a few days ago to play in the sandbox, while I steam cleaned the carpets. I went out to check on them (it had been about 30 minutes), and I see two little nude children running around the back yard with the slip n slide on full blast. They flood both of our neighbors yards. Nothing massive, just small, itty bitty, ponds in their back yards. There was also two, very small, itty bitty rivers flowing between our house and the neighbors. Oops.

The good news is our yard doesn't flood easily, the water runs off to the neighbors. Bad news, we can't do that everyday or I am afraid we would no longer be considered friends with the neighbors.

That was the same day I really wanted to run and grab my camera. Decided against that idea in the end. Probably not appropriate, no matter how cute those little nakies were running around the yard.

I ran out of gasoline the other day while mowing the lawn. On my way home, I made a detour and stopped by a sonic surprise for the kiddos (mike included). None for me though, I am on a diet you know, oh wait, you don't because I am not posting about that kind of stuff. But it's true. Some day I will write about my "trying to better my body goals", but for now I will end with I have lost 17 lbs in the last month, and am very happy!

Back to enjoying summer treats. . . Here is my photographic proof that we are still alive and happy!

She is big into eating like a puppy right now.

She knows she was caught.

She also knows she is too cute to get into trouble.

He knows if sister is being funny and cute, then he better try too.

And if it's cute for the kids, why not make it a family affair. Yeah, I think I will keep 'em.

Silence.

Sometimes they make me wonder. . .

No fighting all afternoon.
It is a good day.

The Hunt is On

The Cousins (plus Miss Lily!) had their own little Easter egg hunt this year. I loved it. The kids loved it. It was perfect.

Here's the crew:

Ike
Ains
Brayden
Lily (isn't she a beauty! No wonder Isaac keeps bringing up her name!)
Sophia

These two pictures crack me up. I caught Bray red handed!

He saw Ains setting down her basket to gather eggs, and he went in for the steal!
He got the goods, and took off! I wish I got Ainsley's mad face chasing after him. Oh my, it was hilarious!

Thank you guys for making our Easter a great one!

Overgrown

I don't mind coming home to a lawn that hasn't been mowed in a few weeks, when it looks like this:
It kept these two busy for quite awhile.

Grand Canyon State

We have been enjoying a week of this,

and ready to start a week of enjoying this