Bayleigh's School Swim Meet

Thursday, September 9th Bayleigh's school had their annual swim meet. As part of their PE classes they get the opportunity to swim for the first month of school. Considering that the temperatures outside are still over 100 degrees most days, this is a favorite with all the kids. After demonstrating all the water safety skills they learned, the kids got a chance to race across the width of the pool. Although I would have been proud of Bayleigh whatever the outcome...she flew across that water and took 1st place!!! I am convinced that she got her competitive gene from her Daddy. Here is a video of the big race.

Playing Catch Up - Part 3: Girly Girlz Party

On August 21, the girls were invited to a birthday party for one of their good friends, Eva. Her party was at a precious little boutique that catered to kids called Girly Girlz. It was an under-the-sea tea party, where the girls were made up into glamorous mermaids, complete with braids, hair glitter, make-up, manicures, tails, and accessories. Once everyone was as glamorous as they could get, all the mermaids sat down for lunch, cupcakes, and tea. My girls had so much fun, and I just wanted to share a few pics with you.

Bayleigh getting hair glitter.

Brylee getting her mermaid braid.
Brooke getting a mermaid-style manicure.

The fancy little sister mermaids.

Bayleigh and her best friend Sopia

Mermaid Brooke

Mermaid Brylee

Playing Catch Up - Part 2: Brooke and Brylee's Swim Lessons

August was also a big month for Brooke and Brylee. This month they got to take a class each Monday for swimming lessons. I must admit that after their first class, I was a little discouraged about their progress. They seemed distracted and off-task, and I worried that they weren't ready for it, BUT every week after that they continued to WOW me with all the skills they quickly acquired. By the end of their class, the could both swim underwater and flip to their back to rest or get more air. They loved diving in shallow water for rings and jumping off the side. Way to go girls! Mommy is so proud of you.

Hugs before their lesson. Brooke in pink, Brylee in the print

Me and their teacher working with them.
I love my little fishes:)

Sassy Brooke...she loves this Barbie leotard and always wants to swim in it.

Brylee...it took everything in her to wait her turn to get in the water.

Playing Catch Up - Part 1: Bayleigh Starts School

I know that I previously posted how I was going to do better about keeping my blog updated, and I know that I failed miserably. I am constantly thinking about the stories that I should put up on my blog, but finding the time to do it is much more difficult. Although I won't go back too far, I am going to backtrack a little to a VERY important day...August 16, 2010, Bayleigh's first day of Kindergarten.

Now, I must start by sharing with you that this is the FIRST time Bayleigh has ever been away from me. With my teaching degree, as well as the blessing of getting to stay home with my girls, I never saw any reason to put Bayleigh in preschool. That being said, this day was VERY hard on me. Even as we bought her uniforms and school supplies, the reality of it all still hadn't set in, but in that last weekend before school started, I realized that our lives would soon be different forever.

As for Bayleigh's school, we chose to enroll her Thunderbird Christian Elementary School. It is an Adventist school, and since we attend Camelback Seventh Day Adventist Church, a church that helps to support the school, a portion of her tuition is subsidized by the church. We loved the campus from the first time we saw it, and the small, family-like group of faculty is top-notch. An added bonus is that we live only 3 1/2 miles from the school.

Bayleigh had so many questions about how things worked, what she would do each day, and how long she would be there for. She slept well the night before, but woke VERY early. She beamed with pride as I braided her hair and added some special touches of lip gloss and perfume. We were fortunate to have both of our parents come over before school for pictures and to see her off. As I sat beside her on the ride to school, it took everything I had to hold back the tears and act excited for her. I could tell she was a little nervous, but she was more than ready to move on to this next phase in her life.

So as I watched my beautiful daughter walk to class with a fancy pink backpack on, so many memories flooded my mind. I thought of the first time I held her in my arms, and how she kept sticking her tiny pink tongue out between her bright red lips. I also thought about all the times she would get in my closet and put on my high heels, and parade through the house...clip-clopping all the way. I thought of how she would lay beside me, hours at a time, when I was on bedrest while pregnant with the twins. I can still hear her sweet 2 year old voice saying, "Mommy, tell me a tory of when you a little gurl." She would smile at me and gaze into my eyes and heart as I told her all of my stories.

With my eyes glassed over, I helped Bayleigh hang her backpack up, put her supplies in her cubby, snap a picture with her precious teacher, Ms. Gloria, and finally find her spot on the floor. It took everything I had to peel myself away from her, and as I walked out of her class, a few tears finally slipped out. I was lucky enough to share these precious moments with my own mother, who reminded me of the how it seemed like only yesterday that she saw me off to Kindergarten and now she was watching me do the same with my own daughter. Moments like these are reminders of how we have to cherish every second with our children and loved ones...time flies.

Brooke and Brylee give Bayleigh morning snuggles to start her day off.

Showing off her new school clothes.

Our little school girl

My precious daughter making her way to class.

Bayleigh and her teacher, Ms. Gloria

Bayleigh 2009 Recital

Click here to view this photo book larger

Brooke's Intense Workout

Tonight my in-laws invited us over for a delicious dinner at their house. Vergie really went all out with brisket, asparagus, rolls, broccoli salad, mashed potatoes, fresh veggies, snicker doodles, and coconut pie. Now, Brooke is my child who I consider a borderline vegetarian, with the exception of chicken nuggets, burritos, and spaghetti, she is far more content eating a plate of tomatoes, peas, and carrots. Since our delicious dinner had so many of her favorite veggies, I didn't even bother giving her any meat...I assumed she wouldn't eat it. Well, Brooke sampled a piece of her Grammar's brisket, and her inner Texan must have come out. Vegetables were pushed to the side as she opted for a HUGE amount of meat. Now the story doesn't end here. After dinner, Brooke discovered her grandparents workout room. We found her doing an extremely intense workout that must be due to all that protein. I wish the lighting was a little better...her facial expressions are priceless.

Now, we all know there are a lot of crazy diet and workout trends out there. Any thoughts on if a toddler led workout would be a best seller?

Happy 54th Birthday Dad!

Dads just don't get any better than you. You may have never given me everything I wanted growing up, but you always made sure I had more than enough of what I needed. You gave me your time, your wisdom, an ear to listen, your love, and so much more. You taught me the value of family, and showed me the qualities I should want in my own husband. You made sure that I grew up knowing Jesus and what it meant to be a Christian. You kept loving me, even when I didn't always make the best choices. You were always there for me, as you still are today. I am so thankful for your 54 years and especially the 28 you have been my Dad for. I love you. I miss you. I can't wait to see you again!

Happy 54th Birthday Dad!!!