swimming lessons!!

I enrolled the girls in swimming lessons. They went everyday for the last two weeks. This was the 3-5year old group without a parent, instructor only. The first day they met their teacher, Miss Emily. I was able to drop them off at the side of the pool and walked away. It was a breeze, wow the girls didn't even miss me. I was a little nervous this being their first class without me being right there. I wasn't too sure if they would be willing to stay without me. They did awesome, they were waving at us and doing whatever Miss Emily said. I did get a little teary eyed thinking my girls are growing up!! Then day 2 came. Miss Emily was out sick. The person subbing for her was a BOY!!!! You would have thought the world was ending. All 4 girls in the group (feeding off each other I'm sure) were crying, screaming, walking away, wanting absolutely NOTHING to do with this boy. I went to talk to the girls, we sat on the side and watched for the rest of the class. That day was pretty much a waste. They assured me Emily would be back the next day..whew!!! Day 3 arrives, I'm thinking everything is going to go smooth like the 1st day. WRONG!!! They didn't care if they had a girl or boy. Again all 4 girls were crying, taking turns at some point, in unison at times too! I went over to talk to the girls they were "all done". I was able to walk away without them following me. When they were sitting on the side waiting there turn they were miserable, when it was there turn to swim they were happy as clams!! But the crying was taking over the happiness for sure. Shawn was getting upset, he wanted me to get them out, I said no they need to learn to be with other kids, be away from us and learn to listen to teachers and so on.... even though this was so nerve wracking I did want to take them out but I didn't think that would teach them anything except to quit. Even though they are only 3 well almost 3. At the end of this 35 minute nightmare I walked up to the aquatic director and asked if I should take them out. She said absolutely not, she said in 14years she's never had a kid cry for all 10 days. I'm thinking they might be the first! She said it's going to take time for them to bond with their teacher and learn to be away from us.

Day 4, I was dreading going to swimming lessons all day. I was talking to the girls, and said if we finish our lesson you can have a present. They both said they wanted a cake...wow, that's simple enough, I can do that. So we got the calendar out and marked off how many days we had until swimming was over and we can get our "swimming pool cake". We get their and it was a totally different group all 4 of them. They cried a little bit, but NOTHING like to 2 days before. It was actually nice. Day 5 was even better, they laughed and seemed to be learning. The one teacher even gave them a lollipop for doing so good. Day 6-10 were awesome, they absolutely loved it, they were laughing, sitting on the side, listening, learning. They even went off the diving board on the last 2 days, with help from Emily of course. I'm so glad I didn't take them out.

Chloe, Miss Emily, Kayla

Chloe having fun!

Kayla having fun!

got this idea from the internet!

photography class

I haven't been around in a few weeks. I've been busy taking a photography class, although online that's mainly what I've been concentrating on for the past couple weeks. I've wanted to take a class for over a year and just never got around to it. Mainly because I didn't think I would have time to actually go to a class. Then I discovered these wonderful things called online courses!!!! It's amazing, since I spend most of my day at the computer it fit in perfectly. I wasn't too sure if I would even grasp learning something online since I'm more of a visual, hands on learner. But, I really enjoyed it and I now have a basic understanding of my camera and photography in general. I definently have a lot more to learn, but it was fun and hopefully I will just get better. Here are a couple pictures I submitted for one of my lessons.

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k188/kimangel90/lesson%204/

Wordless Wednesday!

LETS GO PENS!!!!!

I am so excited right now I can't even stand it! Our Pittsburgh Penguins are currently playing in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. The Pens were down 3 games to 1. The Red Wings only need to win 1 more game to be the Stanley Cup Champs., I know many of the fans already counted them out. How can we win another game, especially in Detroit's arena. Anything is possible and we definitely saw that last night.

That was one of the most exciting and exhausting hockey games in the history of the Penguins. We started out leading 2 - 0, the Red Wings scored 2 goals in the 3rd to take the lead. Our Pens never gave up, with 35 seconds left in the third period Max Talbot scores to tie the game and force sudden death overtime. In the 3rd overtime 49 minutes after the regulation game ended. The pens were on a 4 minute power play, when Petr Sykora scores the game winning goal!!!!! Incredible!! And our awesome 23year old goalie Fleury saved 55 shots, amazing!!! Thanks for keeping us in the game Marc!!! I don't even think anyone watching cared it was 1:00am, it was so totally worth staying up to watch.

The best thing was during the last few seconds of regulation, Detroit had the champagne corked, the t-shirts in the locker room, and the trophy on its way to the ice. Talk about counting your chickens. Anyone who watches hockey knows it's not over til it's over!! And the Pens proved that last night!!! Way to go guys, lets have another win tomorrow in the Burgh, then head to Detroit to bring back the cup!!! We can beat these guys, you have the heart!!!!

stressin'

This is mainly a vent, I'm sure I will feel better once I get it out. We went to IHOP this morning for breakfast. The girls are usually well behaved at least for 2 year olds. It started out very nice. They were sitting in their highchairs enjoying their fruit plate. I guess when they finished they were "done" with breakfast. They wanted out of their seats. I told them sit in your seats your pancakes are coming. No, they wanted nothing to do with sitting. They were literally standing up in their highchairs. So I brought Chloe over to sit with me since I'm trying hard not to cause a scene in the restaurant at 8am. Then of course Kayla wants to sit with Dad. Oh, boy I totally feel myself losing control of this situation. I try to put Kayla back in her seat and she ends up wedging her knees and feet in the leg openings. Therefore she ends up stuck in the seat, I'm trying to get her out and all that is happening is the highchair is lifting off the ground. I think at this point I was laughing to try to cover up my embarrassment, and if I didn't laugh I would probably break down in tears. Shawn finally came and got her unstuck then took her outside to have a "chat". I was able to get Chloe into her chair basically telling her if she doesn't sit down, her friends are not coming over today. After Shawn and Kayla's "chat" she was better. The rest of breakfast went pretty smooth. I told Shawn we are "that" family where people leave the restaurant and probably say those kids are so bad.
Then we had to go to the grocery store, since they have friends coming over today for a play date we had to get snacks. Chloe wanted to walk so for some reason probably to add to my frustration level Shawn let her. Kayla just sat in the cart. Chloe was good until Shawn had to run to the soda aisle to get our free six pack. I thought she went with Shawn, Shawn thought she was with me. All of a sudden I hear her crying..mama..mama...great I'm trying to pay, keep an eye on Kayla and now my other kid is wondering the grocery store. I go to find Chloe and least the bag boy was nice enough to watch Kayla. As I'm walking over to Chloe, Shawn turns around to get her. WTF is going on I'm thinking, excuse my french. Mind you it's only 9am at this point in my day and I already need a drink and I don't drink!!!
Now at this moment 1145am the girls are upstairs. They are supposed to be taking a nap before their friends get here at 1pm. I heard them in the bathroom,went up to investigate and they had gone potty. That's all fine and dandy but Kayla went in their "little potty" and was trying to help by emptying the tinkle into the "big potty" and it dumped all over the floor. So now I'm mopping the bathroom floor.
Oh and did I mention Shawn just left for a golf outing...lucky him!!

Sometimes, I definitely feel like I'm losing control of my kids, they don't listen to me, they listen to Shawn. He only has to say something once and they do it. I have to say if you don't finish your dinner you don't get dessert. I feel like I always have to threaten them with a consequence. Why can't they just eat their dinner. Of course that is just one example. I'm sure if super nanny came here she would say I need her help! I know I've been more lenient with them and haven't really been a stern parent. I always think about when I was pregnant and in the hospital for six weeks, praying everyday we would get to 32weeks so they could get here and be safe. I know how lucky I am to have them here and I know that interferes with my disciplining them. I have to get a grip on the situation though or else by the time they are five they'll be controlling me.
I think I'm pms-ing too, so that isn't helping me either!!! I guess I'm done venting for now, I need to get some laundry done.

Annie shoes

Like most kids, Kayla and Chloe love to dance, listen to music and sing. They are not the type of kids that you put in front of a tv and they will just sit and watch. Which sometimes I wish they would, of course only for my own selfish reasons, maybe so I can clean a bathroom, put some clothes away, etc. That never happens, 10 minutes is usually the max time I have to do something, before they start looking for me.

I used to love the movie Annie when I was a kid, still do actually. Mainly for the singing and just the story in general. I figured the girls would like it too. So, I decided to buy it for the girls, I think it was the cheapest dvd I ever bought, like $8bucks. They love the movie, especially when they are singing or dancing they are glued to the screen. Now I can actually clean an entire bathroom before they start searching for me! :)

They had black shoes for Christmas to wear with their Christmas dresses. After watching Annie they rediscovered these shoes and now they are "Annie shoes". The shoes are a 7, they wear about an 8 now. The poor kids were constantly trying to shove their feet into these shoes. Every time I would hide them, somehow they would reappear. I finally got rid of them, but everyday they ask for their "Annie shoes". I tell them next we go shopping we will buy some. Not realizing black shoes are not the easiest things to buy in the Spring, I couldn't find them anywhere. Plus I didn't want to spend a ton since they really won't be wearing them with any summer outfits.

Shawn took them to Walmart on Saturday and low and behold they had black shoes and for only like $10.00. So of course they come home and jump out of the car to show me their new Annie shoes. Needless to say they have been wearing them everyday, with every outfit. They even wanted to sleep in them.

Oh to be a kid again, when your only worry is wearing your Annie shoes!!!!

Makenna is 1!!!

Makenna is my sister's daughter, she just celebrated her 1st birthday on May 18th. Her birthday party was Sunday. Of course everyone was anticipating her digging into her birthday cake. So the time came for cake, she took a couple tastes and then started crying, she wanted nothing to do with it. I guess you'll have that, not every kid wants to end up a giant ball of icing and cake!

She's probably thinking get me outta this chair, clean me off and tell these people to quit looking at me!

I think my sis was a little bummed, more so because we didn't get a good picture to put in her 1st birthday frame. So before my girls devoured her cake, I told Mar (my sis), let's just do it over tomorrow. She won't be tired, there won't be a ton of people gawking at her and she'll probably have more fun. So she agreed. I packed up her cake and the next day they went to my mom's and had their "do over".

That's more like it!!!! I love messy babies!!

Happy birthday, kiddo!!