It's a Scorcher

The temp wasn't even registering on our indoor display this morning but right now at just past 5:30pm it shows 101* I had to plead and drag the kids out the door but once they hit water, that was the end of that! The pool was perfectly inviting on such a sizzling day which made swim lessons not so much a chore to the boys but a welcome retreat from the heat. I sat on the sidelines with Connor but I can say that we both would've appreciated a quick dunk in the cool water.

Whatever hesitance the boys showed during the pre-swim lesson routine (which consists of getting a drink of water, peeing, slathering on sunscreen, rounding up towels, and always another trip to the bathroom) disappeared when they stepped into the water. Their instructors put everyone at ease, parents included! and in no time they were blowing bubbles, kicking, searching for and picking pool toys off the bottom of the kiddie pool, and playing "Motorboat." Both boys put their faces into the water, if even for a couple seconds and they were happy as clams when they got done. I tried to take their pictures but I couldn't get them to face me- they were too busy ogling the pool. THEY will be dragging ME back tomorrow!

See, even while getting dressed...

Under in Seconds

We've been making good use of the pool at Mom's place. Weston is getting more and more confident in his skills. In fact, he was getting downright foxy tonight showing off. The problem is, he can't touch bottom. So tonight when he tried to hold onto the pool noodle with one arm and it slipped right out, he slid quietly into the water. I didn't hear him go under and I was about 10 ft. away. Luckily we had three adults watching the three kids in the pool. My Mom yelled to me "Under, under!" and as fast as my legs could carry me in the water I was moving towards Weston. He must have only been under 10 seconds or so from start to finish but that's enough to fill up with water and he coughed and spat and gagged so hard when I pulled him up that he puked. He was shaken but that will lead him to develop a respect for the water. Thank goodness swim lessons start tomorrow!

Please be careful with your little ones this summer. It takes a split second for a child to slide under the water. It might not even make a sound. It was like the water just swallowed him up in one swift gulp. Had he not had watchful eyes on him, I shudder to think... And while we're on summer safety, take along sunscreen. It only takes a few minutes to slather it on and by starting the habit when they're little it becomes a lifetime insurance against the sun's harmful rays.

The Bath Pouf Incident

Softsoap Pure Cashmere smells feminine and delicious. I squeezed some onto the pouf, the softening variety for extra dry skin and it was working like a charm. My skin was feeling all silky and smooth where I'd maneuvered the puff so I was getting all Herbal Essences in there. I thought "What could it hurt if I rubbed a little on my face?" That's when I saw it. Something dark inside the pouf caught my eye. I pulled it away to get a good look and saw that a brute of an earwig had taken up residence inside. Awwww, hell no! Beyond disgusting considering I'd just rubbed it all over my body!! Ewwwwww. And how the crap did it get in there considering I hang the pouf from the bath caddy? I thought earwigs crawled? Gagging, I set the pouf outside the shower to be disposed of and I turned the water hotter to cleanse myself of buggly parts. Needless to say that even when my shower was over, I still didn't feel clean!

Dora Live

I don't think the thought of the promised cracker crossed Connor's mind once! Dora Live was quite entertaining. Even the parents played along. Connor LOVED the show. He participated during so many parts of it, I was amazed. He danced. He clapped. He waved his pirate flag. He called to the whale "Ahhhh-ooooo-ahhhhh!" Jason and I couldn't stop grinning at each other because we could tell Connor was basking in every moment.

Cuckoo for Cracka

I just dropped the older boys at Grandma's House. Dora Live starts in 91 min. and counting and Connor is having a complete MeLtDoWn! All over a cracker. To get him to leave Grandma's, Grandma bribed him by saying he could have a cracker if he would get into his carseat. Connor obliges and Grandma goes in to seek a cracker. No crackers! I wish she'd have realized it before she said it, but she came back with a good old standby. A Girl Scout cookie. That's when the tantrum started. Craaaaacka! CRAAACKA! Waaaaaah. Scream. Moan. NoooOOOOoooo. CRACKA! CRACKA! I had to listen to that the whole way home. Dora Live starts in 86 minutes. And he's still upset over a cracker. He has no idea what's in store! I hope he's in a better mood though as soon as he hears "C'mon, vaminos! Everybody let's go!"

Aerials

Every once in awhile a song comes along where the lyrics touch you or move you in some profound way. I found a line that is worthy of sharing. If you don't have time to read through the whole song, please take a look at the red bolded words before you go. It's about tolerance. Acceptance. Thinking of others before oneself. Open your mind and you can start to appreciate those things you have and be at peace with the person you are.


System Of A Down - Aerials Lyrics

Life is a waterfall,
We're one in the river,
And one again after the fall.

Swimming through the void
We hear the word,
We lost ourselves,
But we find it all?

Cause we are the ones that want to play,
Always want to go,
But you never want to stay,

And we are the ones that want to choose,
Always want to play,
But you never want to lose.

Aerials, in the sky,
When you lose small mind,
You free your life.

Life is a waterfall,
We drink from the river,
Then we turn around and put up our walls.

Swimming through the void
We hear the word,
We lost ourselves,
But we find it all?

Cause we are the ones that want to play,
Always want to go,
But you never want to stay,

And we are the ones that want to choose,
Always want to play,
But you never want to lose.

Aerials, in the sky,
When you lose small mind,
You free your life.
Aerials, so up high,
When you free your eyes,
Eternal prize.
Aerials, in the sky,
When you lose small mind,
You free your life.
Aerials, so up high,
When you free your eyes,
Eternal prize.

From songfacts.com
This song is about how people can lose their identities and become just like everyone else. Some lyric analysis:

"Life is a waterfall, we're one in the river, one again after the fall." - We all start off the same and we all end up the same.

"Swimming through the void, we hear the words, we lose ourselves, but we find it all." - As we go through life we are told lessons, but we ignore them. We forget who we really are in the mix of seeking the synthetic lifestyle, and that's the price to lose who we really are.

"'Cause we are the ones that wanna play, always want to go, but you never want to stay." - We always want to be part of the scene. We strive for what we want and when we get it, it still does not satisfy.

"And we are the ones that want to choose, always wanna play, but you never wanna lose." - We want and want. We do whatever we can but if trouble is ever near we do whatever we can to maintain innocence.

"When you lose small mind you free your life." - When we stop to see the full picture is when we really have control of our lives.

"Life is a waterfall, we drink from the river then we turn around and put up our walls." - We take and take and in the end we give nothing. This shows how greedy, oblivious and inconsiderate people can be.