Swimming Lessons

When I taught swimming lessons, some 10 years ago or so, the water was freezing, we sang the same songs over and over again, and I flat out got burnt out!
So, this summer when I signed the girls up for lessons, I was expecting the same thing. I was actually hoping that Sam would get in with Jocelyn, who at 2, still requires a parent to be in the water with her. But I ended up doing it with her and I am extremely glad I did!
For starters, the water is a wonderful 89 degrees. That's right...a luke-warm hot tub. :)

Each night, the class offers something new so that we don't get bored and both the girls absolutely love their teachers and their swimming lessons in general.

Pretty darn cute girl peekin' over the edge to make sure daddy is watching her

Genevieve really loves to please her teacher. She listens very carefully to what her teacher asks her to do and then does it with a big smile.

Before we get in the water, the kids have to take a shower. Jocelyn helped herself to pulling the chain and drenching herself.

This was a nice bonding experience for Jocelyn and I to do together

In my 6 years of teaching lessons, I don't recall another child as comfortable in the water as Jocelyn is

The following are 3 videos.

Top: Jocelyn doing a bob under water on her own.

Middle: Jocelyn floating and Genevieve jumping in.

Bottom: Jocelyn jumping in.

A Bunch of Animals

There was a lion and a turtle in my house the other day...

But wouldn't you know it, it was my 2 darling daughters just trying to scare me!

Dental Visit

Today the girls got to go have their teeth cleaned at my work. Jenna told us that she was excited for such a special day!

Mandi put cartoons on for them to watch during the cleaning. She's the best hygienist ever! (Well, next to me anyway) :)

Jenna was even tough enough to take x-rays.


Dr. Brown examined her beautifully polished teeth and gave a report of "No cavities!" He is the best Dentist ever! (Oh yes, and the best boss!) :)

Jocelyn was also a trooper! What 2 year old do you know that will sit that still with her mouth open and cooperate? Don't get me wrong, she is comfortable with Mandi being that she is a family friend, but I think that possibly "Dora the Explorer" playing overhead, may have had a lot to do with her compliance!

And again we got a "No cavities!" report on Jocelyn!

Bike Riding

Grandma and Grandpa McCoy took this picture of the girls riding on Jocelyn's new tricycle that she got for her birthday (a month early.)

Health Nuts

Last week, Genevieve woke up from her nap and said, "Mom, I don't care much for sugar, I would just like some tomatoes."

Today, while shopping at Costco, Jocelyn turned down every snack, from the hamburgers, to quesadillas, to raviolis. The one snack that she really wanted and LOVED... hearts of palms.

They make their momma proud!

Genevieve's Preschool Graduation

This is about a month overdue...

Genevieve is my quiet, shy, reserved girl that is not comfortable with new things, people, or places. So starting her in Preschool, 2 1/2 hours a day, 3 days a week at only 3 years old, was a big step for her.
She improved so much in one year and I am incredibly proud of her. I believe that she was able to overcome some of her fears because of her wonderful teacher Mrs. Henn.
Her first progress card handed out before Christmas had only 1 specific thing she needed to really work on. Speaking up! And by the end of the year, she was singing songs in class and wasn't glued to Mrs. Henn's leg.

She will be in the 4 year old Preschool class this coming fall, 5 days a week. And right across the hall, Jocelyn will be in Mrs. Henn's 3 year old class. The only difference is, Mrs. Henn wont be asking Jocelyn to speak up...she will be asking her to sit still, shut her mouth, and pay attention! :)

April and May

Wanna know what I have been doing for the last couple of months?

1. I went to a Chris Daughtry concert with my brother, sister, and brother-in-law to celebrate my sister's 35th birthday. Happy Birthday Amy! (and if you were wondering how difficult it is to get 4 people in a picture, taken by yourself...it is difficult. This picture, although Amy and Nate's heads are slightly cut off, was the best...of about 236 we tried taking.)


2. I enjoyed my baby girl's 4th birthday complete with balloons...and a lot of them!

Sometimes, the static just gets the best of you.

Cake and ice cream always brings a smile to this girls face!

Her new ride

And I am pretty sure she liked the Tinkerbell house from Ashlyn. What do you think?

3. We also celebrated Sam's 36th birthday on the same day as Genevieve's! Unfortunately, her birthday seems to outweigh his and he gets forgotten when it comes to pictures. Sorry babe!

4. We made "Rainbow cookies" per Genevieve's request to take to school to celebrate her birthday.

We enjoyed them to the very last drop!

5. We took a little trip to the park.

6. Sam and I hopped on a plane and went to Vegas. We got to see a cirque du soleil show at the Bellagio.

Here is the view from our room.

And this is outside our hotel.

7. And we cuddled with Yia Yia after hitting our head. She seems to make everything better!

8. We (as in Genevieve and Jocelyn) got the stomach flu. I decided you probably didn't want to see pictures of that.

And that's what I've been doing.