Amelia's 1st Swim Meet and she WON!!!

Amelia loves to swim and she has gotten pretty good at it so we decided to sign her up for the neighborhood swim team. She is a Dolphin on the Colonies North Swim Team. At first we thought since she was only 5 it would be more like swim lessons but after the first day of practice we learned it was full fledge swim team and she would be competing in meets! Within one day they had her swimming the full length of the pool doing the freestyle stroke and back stroke. We had no idea she could swim that distance (I don't think I could without having a heart attack).

This Saturday, May 30, 2009 was her first swim meet. We told Amelia all she needed to do was try to finish and have fun. To our surprise she did that and more... She won both her races in the freestyle and the back stroke. It was so exciting and so much fun. I got really excited and think I was the loudest and most obnoxious yeller there. We are so proud of her and most importantly she is having a great time. She had a lot of support from her family and friends. Thanks to Grandma Rosie and Grandpa, Aunt Kristina, Cousin Daniel and Noah, Scott, Luinda and Jake and Holden for coming to cheer her on.

CHUMS End of Year Party

May 27th was the last day of school for Amelia. Amelia and most of the kids in her class have been together for the last 2 years and now they are going their separate ways to Kindergarten. The happy little bubble we have lived in for the past few years is about to burst!! Frank and I wanted to do something special for the kids so we volunteered to have the end of year party at our house. It turned out really well and the kids had a blast! We started in the backyard and the kids painted on the fence (Tom Sawyer style), played with bubble wands, in the sand box, on the swings and broke a pinata. After lunch we headed for the pool to cool off and really wear out the kids.

The CHUMS class is full of 10 wonderful kids and Mrs. Ginn has been the best teacher we could ask for. It is going to be hard for any teacher to fill her shoes. Here's to Kendall, Ashley, Fairen, Amelia, Brian, David, Ethan, Isaiah, Jad and Mrs. Ginn, we love you all and will miss you so much!!!

Mother's Day 2009

Frank is a really great husband. He did everything he could to give me a nice Mother's Day weekend. Saturday evening he watched the kids so I could go get a pedicure with my friend Jyl. While I was out he and the kids went and bought me a really nice juicer. I had mentioned wanting to get one so I could make fresh juice for us and it was waiting for me when I got home.

Sunday morning we went to Fiesta Texas for a couple of hours and when we got home I got to take a 2 hour nap (what's that??). We ended the day by having a juicing party with the kids. Amelia was very excited about making fresh juice so we went and bought a ton of fruit and juiced away. Elliott laughed hysterically every time we turned it on. I guess it makes a funny noise. I had a really nice day with the kids and Frank. I am so blessed to have a GREAT husband and kids. By the end of most days I am exhausted but it is all worth it and I hope to have a lifetime of exhausting days.

The Power Team Swim Party

This is what you look like after working very hard to score your first soccer goal!

We started off May 9, 2009 with The Power Teams soccer game. When I parked the van Amelia said to me in a very serious voice "Mama, I am going to score a goal today". True to her word she did! I have never seen that girl run so fast, she was all over the ball until she finally scored. I have to say that she reminded me of myself. Call it stubbornness, determination or anything you want to but when we set our minds to something we try our hardest to do it. I was really proud of her.

After the game we had an end of season pool party. It is the first time we have had a pool party and it went really well. Amelia had a ball and said it was the best pool party ever. Elliott had a good time to and even remembered how to float himself when he had to. Frank and Elliott were sitting on the pool steps and Elliott dove in the water head first and held his breath and remembered to turn and float himself. Frank was right next to him and he was totally safe but it was good to know he still remembered his ISR skills.

Easter 2009

We had Easter at our house this year. Frank's parents and Grandparents celebrated with us and my Mom, Aunt and Cousins joined us as well. My Mom had the bright idea of getting baby chicks for the kids just for the day. Of course Amelia loved them and carried them around and played with them all day. We explained to her that they were going to live on a farm after Easter and she seemed fine with that until it was time for my Mom to leave with them. She did not cry when they left but at the end of the night when she was exhausted she cried and cried because she missed her baby chicks. She got over it and now expects to have baby chicks on Easter Sunday every year. On a side note, no harm was caused to the chicks and they were given to my Mom's neighbor who has a ranch where they are living a long happy life and laying eggs for a living.

All in all it was a great Easter we played with baby chicks, had an egg hunt, cracked cascarones, and ate tons of candy. Most importantly we spent it with our loving family, we could not ask for anything more.