Back yard friend

 

He was just feet away from the sliding glass door. However, the flash reflected back on me. Opps, the glass is not really clean. Anyway, with the magic of digital technology, I was able to filter it just enough so you could see what I was taking a picture of. He didn't really like the flash and left. I tried to take a new shot, but he was gone.

Haircut

 

Craig's son, Boaz, cut his hair today. I found little locks in three different rooms. I had to practically shave his head to try and fix it. I was sure that he knew I was angry. His poor little self was pathetic while I took out the clippers and buzzed him.

A consolation to us both, it will grow back.

Somehow posting this has helped me get over it and see the humor that I knew was in there somewhere. I hope he never does this again. But who knows with that boy.

Triathlon sucess

 

Kids Triathlon

This morning at water aerobics, I listened to the ladies talk about the kids triathlon. It sounded very cute, and I thought that maybe my boys would like to try it. I went home and started my campaign.

Boaz wanted to know if Josh was going to do it. Then he was in.

Josh was more hesitant. I kept talking it up though. It would be fun. It doesn't matter if you come in first. It's just important to try and finish the race. It would be fun. I showed him the information and we talked about how far 25 yards in the pool is. He was confident about his biking ability -- 280 yards and the run was a bit of an after thought -- 175 yards. I talked him into it. YEA !

So we were off early so I could get them regestered. And the first 50 kids got T-shirts. We took care of business, and then I realized that I forgot the goggles. My boys won't do anything in the water without their goggles. So I ran home and also picked up towels. What was I thinking?!?

Boaz went in the first heat. He was to swim 25 yards (the length of the pool) bike 165 yards and run 75 yards. I was fairly confident that he would be among the leaders. Even if he is only just 5 (in May) and the age group is 5 - 6 year olds. I think he's a little stud.

So he gets ready and isn't nervous at all. The whistle blows and he jumps in and paddles away. He cuts the other boy off in the lane and come out a little slower than the girls. The girls are older than he is, and one is swimming on a noodle. We run to his bike and I have a hard time with his shoes. So he starts a bit slower. The other boy in his lane was in a life jacket. Boaz started off on his bike first, but the other boy had tires that were twice as big as Boaz's little tiny tires. So Boaz had to work twice as hard to go the same distance. The boy caught him during the bike ride. And my little stud Boaz ran as hard as he could for the finish line in last place. He was proud of himself though. He kept asking if I was so proud of him. I assured him I was, over and over again. His little chest was heaving, he worked so hard. I decided that I was a bit too competitive on behalf of my 5 year old. He did such a good job and was very proud of his medal. (All the kids got one. :)

Josh was interested that we were ready, he wanted to know where he was going and where his shoes would be. I forgot to move his bike into position, and he told me about it for a while. I should have been more ready for his race. Oppsie. Oh well, the bike now in place, we get ready for the start. They are off, and Josh has decided to swim the back stroke. He has good form, but I smiled at my boy. He can do the crawl, but just isn't as confident. He does well, and we are off for the bikes. Drat those shoes again. But with his helmet on, he's off. The boy just behind him had bigger tires and I thought, here we go again. Bigger tires, faster bike. But Josh held him off. And then he held him off running. But he carried his helmet the whole 175 yards. He forgot to leave it with his bike, and he didn't want to drop it. He did great, and was beaming and breathing with the effort. He received his medal and I went for the bike.

You know, it's hard to ride a kids bike. My knees weren't anywhere near extended. And then they were right under my chin. I was laughing to much at myself and almost fell off, but made it safely.

Both boys in their new lime green shirts very proud of themselves and thier accomplishments.

PAR

When I golf, I top the ball. I swing as hard as I can and the ball skips merrily across the grass in various directions. When Craig golfs, the ball soars in beautiful acrs toward the green. He also swings as hard as he can. However, his swing is much more relaxed and controlled than mine is.

It is a constant struggle for me -- on the golf course -- to remember to relax and not try and kill the ball. Craig tells me repeatedly to keep my head down and not look up. The slightest head lift ruins a golf swing. A fact that I know, and yet still struggle with.

However, last week sometime, on the last hole, I hit the ball in a beautifully arc toward the green. And wonder of wonders, I made it to the green. I had a real chance at a birdie. But, instead, I two-putted for a PAR !

Earlier I had a double bogie and a bogie. Two real golf scores. But I finished out the nine hole with a PAR !

I think I told my sisters and cousin and aunt about my PAR about twenty times. Just to make sure that they knew I actually scored a PAR on my last hole. A PAR is much better than a strike in bowling. I can get a strike about once a game, but a PAR has eluded me for years.

Did you know that I got a PAR on my last hole?

A day at the beach

 

A day full of sand castles, sand crabs, and being buried in the sand. We love the beach.

Quiltling with Debbie

 

We had a great weekend. I about killed her with a water aerobics class and then helping the teachers move furniture. But after a short nap, we were ready to play with fabric and the sewing machine. We needed to finish the lower left corner and add the borders.

I love to see how much better the quilt looks when it is actually sewn together, rather than just laying the fabrics close to each other.

Deb was thrilled, and very excited to show her son, Nikko. She tells me that he wonders if it will ever be finished. But I tell her that design takes time. The ideas need to perculate or marinate or whatever metaphore you prefer. :)

Fun visit with my sister, no the less. Can't wait until she comes back. Although, she is getting really brave and doesn't need me to show her what to do so much. I hope she still finds reasons to come and visit, even when she is confient in what she is doing.

Maybe the card games will keep her coming back. We had a great game Sunday night with Brenda, Karly, Auntie, Kimberly, Craig and me. Raven and Josh wanted to join in, but we are a bit agressive. I'll have to start teaching my boys the skills so they can keep the games going. :)

All American

We've had a busy two days. The boys have enjoyed two fireworks shows and BBQs and picnics. The thing that sticks out in my mind from this weekend, is a statement from my 5 year old.

We were in the car. I can't remember where we were going or coming from. Boaz was talking about stuff and then he said, "What's more American than the Legendary Superman?"

The best part about his question is the total randomness. We haven't really been watching too much about Superman lately. His facination with Superman was huge two years ago, but has waned since then. He's moved on to other interests.

His random, larger than life vocabulary for his age facinates me. I am truely a lucky mom to have such a boy in my life.