2nd Day of Swim Lessons is a SUCCESS

"Hey Nora - are you ready for day 2!?" "CHECK!"

After Olivia's terrifying and horrible experience yesterday, we decided it would be best for her to sit in Simone's lap before lessons began..

Talking about SAFETY RULES before they begin.

OK, Time to get wet everyone!

Nora is so funny to watch do her bobs. Her little head was the first to pop up each time - b/c she wasn't going ALL the way under :P

The Twins were 2 of 3 toddlers. I really liked all the one-to-one instruction that they got during most of their lesson.

Paul Thomas - Let's see you KICK*KICK*KICK!

Good Job!

OK - Now it's 'Lavie's TURN.... Let's see you KICK*KICK*KICK!

and they were so funny to watch when it came time for jumping into the pool from the side. Paul Thomas would lay down while waiting for his turn b/c he was so cold out of the water.

Olivia on the other had was MORE than ready to take a JUMP! She would have jumped 100 times if they would have let her.

Selecting some pool toys. I forget what Paul Thomas choose but Olivia had a turtle squeeze toy that she used to put on the 2nd or 3rd step and would reach for encouraging them to put their face under water. It worked. They'd do anything for their toys!

I regret that I didn't take more photos of Nora today - but I was mainly focused on watching the twins - since yesterday (the 1st day) I had to spend the whole hour hiding behind their garage :( b/c Olivia was screaming her head off the whole time and crying. But not today - today she did very well with a new instructor. ;)

This was the only day that Nora's teacher had extra students. Two brothers had missed their hour yesterday and were makin it up today. For the rest of the week it was just her and one other boy.

Below - Paul Thomas & Olivia sat with their teacher and cheered on Nora as the 3rd toddler in their group was being instructed. :)

OK little guys - are you ready to show me how you can kick your legs!?

What a fun time for everyone :) It's gonna be a good week after all!

Mmmm and the best part - Freezer Pops! :) Everyday after class the homeowner treated the kids to their favorite color Popsicle.

Looking forward to tomorrow already!

Good info that I want to share

This picture captured on the back of a Marine's jeep is priceless and definitely a keep it goin' email!

I got this in an email from our cousin in Washington state and thought rather than email it, I'd share here. Also what a great time to remind all voters that we need to be active and start preparing now to educate ourselves so that we can make the best vote in November.

Have you heard of the AFA? American Family Association. They're great! I love to listen to their programs on the radio when I'm able to catch them.

Openly show your dissatisfaction with Congress and let others know that you are no longer going to sit by and do nothing.

In November, we will have the opportunity to let Washington, DC experience firsthand the will of the American electorate. In strong unity, we will remind ‘elected’ officials that their power is derived from the governed! That's us, WE THE PEOPLE!

American's are outraged by the abuse of power in Washington, DC, and we must keep the momentum going by letting others know there is something they can do about the mess in Washington.

CLICK HERE if you'd like to order buttons of your own - free shipping on all orders.
They also have Tea Party buttons and T-shirts and you can find more info HERE

Outside fun

Paul Thomas mowed some bubbles...

Olivia issued safety glasses to everyone... don't forget your protective eye ware!

Paul Thomas fell in love with a new "Blue's Clues" shirt... and Nora got to take her doll and stroller on a trip with Daddy to Home Depot...

little sister, got to do her favorite pastime outside - Robe-Ber-Skating! :)

Mmmm fruit drinks!

Hot & Humidity = MEGGA Curls for Olivia ;)

"Mmmuah" This smooch is for you Papaw!

taking a break to think about what to do next...

yeah, let's play fireman rescue... I'll be the fire woman and driver and Paul Thomas will pretend to be a Meowing Cat stuck on top of the truck!

"Meowwww" "Meeowwww"

Pete and repeat... what ever Nora does, Paul Thomas is right behind her doing the same. :P

Fun in the sun! We love Saturday!!!

Looks great!

David you did a great job last weekend. The new mulch makes out home look great!

I'm ready to "robe-ber-skate"

Congratulations Nora!

Last night we went to Nora's Kindergarten Class Graduation. All week I've been thinking I might loose it with the tears, but it was held in the small chapel on campus and with 20 students + 40 parents and probably over 40 more guests... brothers and sisters and grandparents it was too CROWDED and way TOO HOT that I don't think my body had the ability to cry b/c I was sweating so much. LOL

Mrs Thompson called up each child and talked about them before presenting them with their folder that had their Graduation Certificate and best art work of the year. She either told about what they were best in, or what she will always remember about them... and I did record on video while she was talking about Nora - it's uploading now to youTube when it's complete I'll come back and add it.

But what she mentioned about Nora was that she was a very good friend to the other students and that she gets the COMPUTER AWARD ;) because she does an excellent job navigating her way around the websites that they use in class.

Since day one - June 23, 2004 - Everyone has told me that the time will pass by fast... and wow they were so right!! Wow look at my pretty baby girl! ;)

Just last weekend at church the Mass was for the high school graduates and they all proceeded in with Father Tom wearing their graduation gowns... and I felt myself getting teary eyed! ??! and I don't know any of them personally - just the thought of Nora one day being old enough to graduate high school. :P What is wrong with me? haha

Above is Nora with her friend and classmate Montana before graduation began.

After the graduation there was a small reception in the cafeteria. Punch and Cookie Cake.

The best part in my opinion was THE COLD AC in there! Aaaah, it felt great to walk thru those doors - I think that I'll recommend that they hold Olivia & Paul Thomas' graduation in the cafeteria in a few years... more room for family and cooler!

These were on the tables in the cafeteria for each of the students. The Graduation Girl was colored by Nora in class and tied to it was a bag of candy and play dough. The rolled up thing on the left is a pillowcase that has blue and yellow hand prints of each of the students. 10 on one side and 10 on the other side. The card attached says:

"Now I lay me down to sleep, I count these hands instead of sheep. I'll dream of all the friends I made, and see them next year in FIRST grade!"

and look who got to wear the hat on the way home.... When I asked Olivia if she was proud of her big sister Nora she gave me this BIG smile! ;)

CONGRATULATIONS NORA we are SO PROUD of you! ;)

I'm sure you will do great in FIRST Grade next fall!

Memorial Day weekend 1991

This is what I'll try to think of and remember this weekend... Visits from my cousin 'Tilda and setting Daddy's tobacco. My momma took this photo of us just as we were getting started... good thing b/c after a few rows we had MUD covered hands and thighs....which was FUN!

Who knew in just 8 years from this photo Momma would be gone.

It doesn't seem like it's been so long, but 11 years ago today (5/27/99 also a Thursday) my mom died and we buried her on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend....

I'll never forget that day... we were living in Augusta at the time and I had come home form work having a great day - I leased 7 apartments that day... and when I got home David had got home at the same time too and the phone rang so he picked it up while I walked out to check the mailbox....