So which Dwarf are you?

Tonight, Kellyn picked out Snow White as one of her book choices to read. We read this book at least 4 times a week - one of her favorites. There is a page that has all the 7 dwarfs heading back to their cottage from a long day in the diamond mine.

I start saying all the names: Doc, Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy and Dopey.

Kellyn immediately shouts out "I like Sleepy". My first instinct was to give myself and internal high-5 thinking we wore her out today and now she's REALLY ready to sleep (this is a huge accomplishment these days).

But quickly my internal high-5 was sidetracked when Kaitlin screamed at the top of her lungs "I"m Dopey"!!!!!

I couldn't stop laughing...........and as serious as she was, I just had to scoop her up and love on her royally. That was the way to end a busy week.

So the big question is: Which Dwarf are you?

Bigger Fishies

Summertime means swim classes...........something Kellyn has been looking forward to since LAST summer's swim class.


Teacher Jenny (who is DA'BOMB) did an awesome job with Kellyn and her "classmates" Charlie and Max. Tryg, Matt, Rowan, Nick and Quinn were part of the big kid group that would show off all their "tricks" to the little ones later in the session.



Here's Tryg, Merrick, Rowan and Matt being silly in the "warm pool".






Although we would have looooved to start Kaitlin this year, she's just wasn't quite ready. However, she played on the sidelines getting a glimpse of what she has in store for next summer with her cuz'n Merrick and new friend Cassidy (Quinn's sister).


Twice a day, for 6 weeks.......and the transformation is incredible. Granted, I'm still a total freak job when my girls are anywhere NEAR water........just can't take your eyes off them for a second. Regardless, I love watching Kellyn establish her confidence, Independence and self esteem. She makes me so proud!!!


And a HUGE Thank You goes out to our lovely hosts Cheryl and Russ (Charlie and Rowan's parents) for allowing us to bombard their home and pool and providing the perfect setting with yummy food and great friendship. You guys ROCK!!!


And another HUGE Thank You goes out to Joelle who was so willing and excited to share in this adventure with us. Since Jim worked almost every single class, she was there to help me keep eyes glued to our 2 (and all the other) little kids who just have NO FEAR of water. Her and Kaitlin had MAJOR fun in the water, which allowed me to really soak in Kellyn's learning experience. We would be lost without you Joelle!!!










First Day (6 weeks ago):

Charlie not quite ready to brave the "cold pool" yet.

My girls are definitely native Californians. They start whining of being cold if their body temp drops below 95 degrees!!! Big babies......but CUTE babies!

Gina (Nick and Max's Mommy) sharing a moment with Kellyn.

Last Day (Yesterday):

One thing that amazes me more than anything is the relationship Kellyn and sweet Charlie have really developed this summer. Yes......they've always been friends, but the last 6 weeks have made them "Best Friends" as Kellyn puts it.

Kellyn would just choose random times to go over and give Charlie a big hug. I would eavesdrop and here her say "I love you Charlie. You are my Best Friend". How sweet is that???

Mommy having fun with her little fishies.

At the end of the evening - Teacher Jenny gathered the groups together (big kids and little kids) and gave them her last little lecture, then rewarded them with little bath toy fishies and cupcakes. How is it she was able to get all of our kids to sit there in a straight line, completely silent and focused on her every word? How does a person do this? She must have been slipping some Xanax into the pool water! :-)

Showing off their prize Fish! Even though Kaitlin wasn't "technically" a student, she got one too. Sweet Jenny!

Merrick enjoying his cupcake while his big brother Tryg show his "better" side! :-)

The girls would agree this was the perfect way to end the summer swim session. CUPCAKES!!

"Joey" Fingers and Toes

Look at these cute appendages my girls have compliments of Joelle. They just LOOOOVE letting her get them all dolled up. They will actually cry out to her when she's leaving "don't forget your nail polish next time Joey"!!

I can't say this enough...........everyone needs a little "Joey" in their life!! :-)

The Basil Family

Kellyn looks forward to "sharing" at her school, so much, she searches for anything and everything around the house to take.

This morning.......it was the basil plant. She held it so carefully in the car. She properly named each sprig - one for Mommy, Daddy, Sister and Sister (no brothers in this family either), then Grammy and Grandpa Basil. She talked to her little plant the whole drive.

As we pulled into the school parking lot - she told me: "I can't wait to show my friends the Basil Family".

Are kids just not the most awesome things in the world?

Our 2 new additions :-)

We completely caved!

After finding a snake in our garage and huge MONSTER of a rat in our attic (roof rats -I've learned more about them in the past week then I ever really want to know), we decided it was time to add to our furry family.

Our CLAIM is that it's for "critter control" but they're just so darn cute we can't help but love on them. They 2 kitties are brother/sister and soon in line to be "its". Kellyn and Kaitlin named them Daisy and Mittens (since that one has 4 white paws).

They are strictly outside but they follow us around like little puppies and let us all love on them at every chance.....when they aren't climbing up trees and terrorizing the pups. Chase and Xena have come to an agreeance with them and they are now friends. It took a while.

These are the best pics I have right now....had to take them from my phone so they are a little grainy - but you get the idea. :-)

Now THAT is advertising!!

You know how sometimes you see something and you stop and say "did I really just see that"? Well, we happened upon this truck yesterday while leaving our bank. Part of me was laughing hysterically, and the other part was just completely disgusted that someone one would drive around with that on a truck. Good thing my girls can't read......yet!!!

Random Samples

That is the name of this blog anyways. So here are a couple of random moments that made me smile this week.

• When Jim took the girls to the grocery store this week, Kellyn insisted on wearing "the gown of her dreams" which is really just a flowery froo froo dress in her closet. Obviously, she's really into the princess thing! :-)

• Today, I pulled out my old high school yearbooks and started showing Kellyn and Kailtin pictures of their mommy. In my sophomore book, Kellyn said "Mommy - you're hair is all messed up". I couldn't have agreed with her more. I need to yell at my friends (JEN!) for letting me walk around with hair like that!!!