Pool Safety

Today the kids learned pool safety and rules. They used life vests to jump in the pool, which Samantha was already a pro at, Thanks to Grandma & PaPa ;), they learned about how to save someone who needed help, what to do if the fell out a boat, etc. Only a few more days left of Dolphins 1 before we move Samantha up to Dolphins 2.
I've never seen her as free as she in when she's splashing in the pool! She sure does love to go under water.

Splashing last week

 

Saturday, Samantha was being such a good girl while Daddy and I looked at a house, we promised her a train ride.... ALL ABOARD!

Over Booked & Under the Weather

So much has been going on! Samantha has gone to her first Hip Hop dance class,  just as Mama started getting a head cold, which the doctor has confirmed is a sinus infection. She loved the class, which she is taking with Laney, but sadly we need a pause in dance to do swim lessons.
Samantha is very laid back and will take things as they come to her. Mama can't swim and Daddy is a fish, so I was praying she'd be a fish as well; well, that's almost impossible if she's in the water with me. Some days she freaks out in the bath if water gets in her eyes, other days she's trying to show off. Last summer she would jump into my arms from the edge of the pool, this summer she was hesitant to lie on her back with Dad. But after a couple of days of swim lessons, she will jump off the edge into her instructor's arms, kick, blow bubbles, go under water, float on her back with assistance and just be a little guppy. The first day of class her instructor, Miss Abby, came up to us and let us know that all the other kids were hesitant about doing things, but Samantha was the only one who just went on and did it all. We are so very proud of her! Only 1 more week then we will move her up to the next level.

Wednesday, June 18
Kid's Day with Joe McDermott

Thursday, June 19
Library Card & Hip Hop 
We started the day at the library getting a brand new library card, which Samantha signed herself and picked up a few books. Before we left to go, she had to pick her bouquet of flowers for when she "gets older and marries Daddy".

 Hip Hop

Tuesday, June 24
Ms. Wendi & Christian picked up Samantha so Mama could rest and go to the doctor. They played-played-played in the sandbox and even went to Barnes & Nobles before the rain to play with lots of Legos!

Monday-Thursday, June 23- 26
Dolphins 1 Swim Class

 

 

Wells-Rogers Camping 101

We wanted to spend some time with the Rogers' family, but it's hard that they won't come to Texas and when we go to NOLA there's so much to do, so we decided to make our own vacation! We're hoping to make it an annual vacation and this year we decided on CAMPING! Luckily we didn't decide on tent camping and we rented ourselves a sweet cold cabin in the woods of North Toledo Bend State Park, about a 5 hour drive for both families. It was hot and sunny, overcast on some days, and beautiful! The guys caught up with each other while Rebecca and I tag-teamed yelling at/taking care of the kids who got along great.
Thursday June 12
We arrived about 5:00 with the Rogers about 10 minutes behind us. After we unloaded, we went to the playground and came back to a laid back spaghetti dinner.

Friday June 13 (+ a full moon, that reflected off the water)

We went swimming. There was a great wading pool only 1.5 feet deep, so all the kids loved splashing on their own, then took a quick dip in the big pool. We were the only ones there besides the lifeguards (?) who were monkeying around. Once we were back at the cabin, Daddy pulled out the fishing poles and got them, and the worms, ready for some action. Samantha loved playing with the worms and got Noah to touch them too. Unfortunately, no bites. After a hotdog-on-the grill dinner, we roasted marshmallows on the campfire that Daddy made and made S'mores! Everyone *loved* S'mores, especially Rebecca whose first time it was having them :) We also lit up the glow sticks toys and the kids really loved watching them glow!

Saturday June 14
We rented canoes and paddled a little, but since we slept in and we didn't plan right, we were in the middle of the water during break-down lunch/nap times. Rebecca and Jeff headed back to the boat launch and Daddy and I paddled up to our cabin. After lunch, we headed on down to the pool, where Samantha got to drive the car in Daddy's lap. She looked out for STOP signs, steered and used the blinkers. She was a very cautious driver. The pool was super crowded with the obnoxious Zwolle town-folk so our time there was limited.
Dinner... Steaks on the grill from grill-master Daddy (Sam chowed up this dinner even after all the snacks) and can you guess what's for dessert?.... S'mores! Rebecca had to limit herself this time because of last night's tummy ache LOL

Sunday June 15 (Father's Day)
We were sad to have to pack up and head out. It was a great trip! We loved hanging with and catching up with the Rogers. Until our next trip, We love you guys!

*If you ask Samantha what her favorite part about camping was, she'd tell you "Noah!"

Once we were back in our area, we stopped at Grandma and PaPa's to get Dixie dog and eat a Father's Day dinner.

**pics to come

Summer Piggies

Thursday, June 5, 2014
We spent some time with Louise and Ajia before they move in a couple weeks... we got our piggies done and grabbed some FroYo! Samantha was wild!

 

 

 

Monday, June 9, 2014
We had a "goodbye" luncheon for Louise at work. I promised she'd cry ;) I am really going to miss her friendship, her open ear and heart, and her snazzy remarks!

You Are My Sunshine

... My only sunshine...

Samantha had her first dance recital this afternoon, and as worried and stressed as Mama was, she did fantastic!!! You may wonder why I was stressed, well it's because she rarely did the dance in class and would yawn through it. We tried to practice today and she just wanted to play, so I assumed she would stand up on stage with all those people watching and do her own thing. No ma'm, she rocked it! We are so proud of her!!! She loved the after attention too  and clenched the bouquet of flowers she received.  A big thank you to everyone who came to watch: Grandma, PaPa, GrandmaRia, Abigail, Mr. Brian, Colin (and friend Taylor), Ms. Wendi and Christian, and Lori, Nate, Stella and Kimmie.

 She was searching to find Mama, Daddy and family. :)

But went right on dancing!

 

 

 

 

Surprise Surprise... Grandma Ria is here!

Grandma Ria and.... Abigail are here! Samantha had no idea that Abba was coming in too!
Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Dinner at Torchy's!

 Thursday, May 29, 2014
Splash Pad #1 and Dino Park: Abigail loved the splash pad! Samantha had so much fun that she let Abigail dump buckets of water on her head!

 

 Dinner with Grandma & PaPa W

Freshly picked organic carrots from the garden. Abigail sure loves her carrots!

Friday, May 30, 2014

Dance rehearsal: Practice the final number with the whole school. She, of course, found Ella and they were glued together. Abigail and I watched from the audience, which was great because she knew the exact spot we needed to sit in for the big show.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

We celebrated Stella's birthday party and afterwards brought Dixie to the park. Abigail loved throwing the ball for her and watching her jump out to get it.

Yes, Samantha is wearing her kitty ears and was a kitty for about 3 days :)

Monday, June 2, 2014

The kids got to hang out with Grandma Wells. They watched Tinkerbell and played!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The girls both got pink feathers in their hair and we went outlet shopping.

 That evening, we hit up splash pad #2
...again Samantha allowed herself to be splashed on LOL

 Goodnight Daddy/Uncle Matt. They're leaving in the morning.

 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Goodbye GrandmaRia and Abigail. It's been fun. Samantha didn't want to go and was upset that she (1) couldn't go with them (2) could go through security to watch the planes take off.

Have a safe flight! We'll see you reeeeal soon!

 

 

Samantha and I were both WORN out!