New "do"

I finally got K's hair cut and styled. I think she looks so cute!

Swimming lessons

Both of the kids had swimming lessons this year. But let me give some back story first. C had lessons 2 years ago (private with a friend from church: AWESOME. I begged her to do them this year; but no luck). K has never had lessons but is not at all scared of the water. She was actually in the water adjustment class. She didn't need "adjusting" except she had horrible trouble listening to the teacher.

When I registered, I was told to register them below the level that I thought they might be. I registered C for level I and the first day they re-evaluated C and moved him up to level II. There ended up being a bazillion kids in his class.

Here is the "report card" that C got at the end of lessons. He still has a few things to work on. I think I would probably have him repeat level II again next summer. For 2 reasons. #1: After jumping off the diving board, he never was able to make it to the side by himself. #2: I was able to watch level III. They focused a lot on actual strokes and he is definitely not ready for that.

K was so excited when she found out that they would be going off the diving board the next day. She did the diving blocks just fine. But the day she had to go off that diving board, she was not at all interested. There was much prodding by the teacher. But as soon as she got to the side, she said she wanted to go again. So this video is the second time. Notice how much she is balking; more so than the first time. Do you hear her wonderful mother saying "just throw her off." She wanted to go; she was going.

The Great Ice Capades

Back during NHL season (especially the Stanley Cup Playoffs) C was convinced that he wanted to play hockey. I kept telling him that before he could play hockey, he needed to learn how to ice skate. So I set up one single ice skating lesson for him. It was scheduled to be the Monday after his ER visit. Because of the ER visit, we re-scheduled it for the next Monday.

The lesson was way downtown at 5:30. We picked up dinner, picked up daddy, and ate in the car on the way there. We had to park in this old rundown parking garage and ended up parking on the way other side from where we actually needed to go. It was so confusing to get there (spoiler: for this reason I am glad that he is NOT interested in hockey).

Poor guy thought he would step on the ice and glide his way across. Not happening. I think he did very well for it being his first time. I remember my first time and it was not pretty. He did learn a few things, namely how to get up after you fell down. He did make his way around for awhile. But in the end, he was very disappointed. It broke my heart to see how disappointed he was. But I knew that is what he needed. Oh the mommy heart hurt!

We told him that if he was ever interested later, we would do all we could to try to find him lessons or help him out however we could. But he stated that he was no longer interested in hockey. In fact, for a little while after, he wouldn't even watch a hockey game. That has since passed, but he still has no interest in playing. For now, we are on to soccer.

Here is my brave boy, trying his hardest.

Summer Reading

Both of the kids did a few summer reading programs this year (C was the only one who did them last year). Once again, we (they) ended up with some really nice prizes.

2 Library programs: both of the libraries had basically the same prizes. They were mostly coupons for free kids meals (Olive Garden, Bob Evans), free desserts (Applebee's, Chik Fil A, Dairy Queen) tickets to the Indiana Fever (WNBA). One of the libraries had a free ticket for the fair (so a total of 2 tickets). Really nice cuz K gets in free; therefore we only had to buy one ticket.

Barnes & Noble: Only C did this program. It was very specific as to the age of the participants. He got a free book; I think it was about Thomas Jefferson.

Half Price Books: both the kids did this program. For every week that they read 15 minutes 5 days, they got a $3 gift card. The first time we went to spend their money C got two books and K ended up with 5 (I'm missing one in each picture) I think they each spent $6. Daddy also used one $3 card to buy a CD.

The next time we went to spend money, it was just the kids and I. They got almost $44 worth of books, I bought one DVD, we didn't spend any money out of pocket, and I still have one $3 card to spend!

All together I think we spent $6 out of pocket and got $62 worth of "stuff" and still have $3 to spend! Plus I think it's good for them to read (or be read to) all summer. I'm pretty proud of them (and us since we had to read to K).

C's Lego monster

Remember that big bucket of Legos that C bought at a garage sale? The bucket did NOT come with any directions, but there were pictures on the side of what could be made from the enclosed Legos. Just by looking at the picture, C was able to make the monster. I think he did really good. Very proud of him for being able to translate the picture into his creation. And for having the patience to do it too. Good job, C!