I've got LOTS of them. But, my major flaw is I am Mrs. Bossy Pants.
Emma's flaw has been apparent since a very young age, as Ms. Bossy Pants Junior.
I still can't find Greg's. (Except sometimes he forgets to put in soap and start the dishwasher after doing the dishes. Which I would hardly call a flaw, because DANG... the dude does the dishes every night.)
I was starting to think that Grant would follow in his father's footsteps and grow up sans flaw. For the last 6 months he has been the most incredibly perfect baby.
But alas, I have finally found a flaw in precious Grant.
He is NOT a rice cereal eating SUPERSTAR.
He started off well. But, after a few bites it was spitting and bubbles and all things wretched.
The whole family joined in on the fun, to try and encourage excitement.
But. The little guy still dislikes it.
It's been a week of eating with not much progress.
We'll keep trying - because we all have to work through our flaws to become our best self.
... that, and he'll wither from starvation (and social ostracism) if he has to go to college drinking only formula.
Temperatures soared to 118 degrees last Saturday, so we decided to join my grandparents at their cabin in Forest Lakes. We enjoyed a MUCH cooler climate and a very relaxing Fourth of July weekend. A special thanks to my sweet grandparents who are always so willing to let us stay. I think (hope) they like our company and I KNOW my Grandpa enjoys me cooking instead of him.
Here is Little Missy enjoying the car drive up with her happy meal, quilt and DVD player showing Aladdin. What a life! She threw a fit for 10 minutes because she also wanted her stuffed animals to cuddle and could not understand why I couldn't retrieve them from the trunk while the car was in motion.
Even Grant enjoys the cooler climate. He can actually go outside without drenching himself in sweat!
Grant and Cousin Tate (Jeff and Michelle's). I seriously love this picture. Looks like they were mobsters in a former life. They could serve some serious time for their crimes.
Bored one afternoon, on her own, Emma started drawing all the members of our family. She drew everyone's faces and then identified them with the first letter of their name. She then came to proudly show us her work of art. Greg and I were pretty impressed. Not bad for 3 1/2.
Lounging on the porch swing.
All ready for church.
Our new favorite pic of Emma. That adorable little grin and her sassy pose. 100% girl.
My Grandpa is so cute with the kids. He loves to play with Emma and is always asking if he can hold Grant. Such a sweet man. And he has been working tirelessly to take care of my ailing Grandma. Let's hope Greg is that nice to me someday...
Cousins Tate and Grant. Notice Grants "orange on a toothpick" cranium compared to his "normal" cousin? DANG kid. Grant is only a month older.
My adorable Grandma. Darn that Alzheimer's. Such a heart wrenching disease.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time away from the "kitchen" of Phoenix and hope to escape again soon! It is so nice to have access to this beautiful area and climate. THANK YOU GRANDPA!
When you live in the land of Arizona, swimming for kids is a MUST. Too many pool parties/activities to take any chances.
Our only goal this summer was: get Emma to swim. And uh, lose all my baby weight, but I knew more than likely we'd only accomplish the easier of the two. :)
After two weeks of the MOST INCREDIBLE and INEXPENSIVE swimming class in Phoenix, our little Emma accomplished the goal and is swimming!
She was super brave the first day and I was so excited that I wouldn't have to deal with ear piercing screams...
until the second (and third) day.
When I had to deal with ear piercing screams. (She figured out the teacher would let go of her.)
By the fourth day she had her confidence back and she was doing swimmingly (tee hee) well.
It was blazing hot, so Grant and I did our best to stay cool. We were frequent visitors to the nice misters on the teachers' back patio.
I can NOT say enough wonderful things about Emma's swim teacher Mrs. Parker. She is seriously the most amazing teacher I have ever seen. So patient, kind and no-nonsense. She was constantly praising the children and giving them positive feedback and courage to swim. She teaches pre-K during the school year and then teaches swim lessons each summer. AMAZING!
Her family is also very religious (I think they attend Grace Community Church). Each day she would tell the children that she prayed for them that morning. It was so sweet.
Emma was in a class with 4 other children (ages 2-4). For the first 3 days all 5 of them were crying and Mrs. Parker appeared unfazed.
The kids would jump off the diving board and then swim the length of the pool each day. Emma was nervous at first, but this soon became her favorite part of class.
Mrs. Parker also has 4 wonderful children who help with the classes. One is in the pool. One is sitting on the sidelines helping keep the kids safe while they are waiting their turn. And this little angel Kendra would spend her time playing with Grant. She seriously took him almost every day. Would take him inside to keep him cool and feed him his bottles when he was hungry. She even rocked him to sleep a few times. Free babysitting with swim lessons? Fantastic.
The swim lessons by Mrs. Parker are over for the summer - but if you live in the Phoenix area - you simply must remember to talk to me next summer about these lessons!! Her cross streets are Rural and Southern in Tempe. Only charged $115 total for 10 hour-long lessons (two consecutive weeks). Some of the swim classes I checked out were $300-$400, so I was super pleased with the price.
And to have Emma swimming at the end of them?
Priceless.
At the end of the classes - we are instructed to bring our children fully clothed. Mrs. Parker throws them in and teaches them the concept of survival if they are ever to fall in.
If you have a spare 25 seconds... you can see why we sleep a little easier at night now.
He started off well. But, after a few bites it was spitting and bubbles and all things wretched.
The whole family joined in on the fun, to try and encourage excitement.
But. The little guy still dislikes it.
