Buffelgrass Invasion

This is a quick post to refer everyone to watch a youtube video called Buffelgrass Invasion. It shows you about what I am volunteering to inform the public. It is really scary. Please look it up or link from my youtube links list.

Swimming Jeremy

Here is a vid of Jeremy swimming butterfly. He forgot to breathe every other stroke until his second 25. He had a good season. Unfortunately for him, his birthday is on the age deciding day, so if he had been born one day later, he would have been swimming with the 8 and Unders all season. But as it was, he had to swim with the 9-10's, even when he was still 8. He weathered the competition well.

Mom is Getting Old

So I had another birthday. No pictures, sorry. But it was quite the day. It was the first day of Soccer Camp for Jer, Alex, and Ben at 5 pm, so we tried to have a big meal for lunch. It worked for us older than Alex. Anyway, I spent some leisure time reading (ignoring laundry . . . it was my birthday, after all), and the kids were pleasant during the day, then we got all the soccer stuff ready and on feet and in backpacks, then drove the 15 minutes (hooray! it is close!) to soccer camp, leaving Elaine and Liam behind. Ben looked adorable in his shin guards and cleats. (All the boys were in hand-me-downs . . . I love this stage.)

Dave met me at the soccer fields, and took me to TMC with him to scope a baby with breathing problems, then we went to Outback to eat before rushing back to pick up the boys. They had fun. In the meantime, Elaine made my birthday cake and cooked up a little something for the boys for when they got home. Then I opened my presents.

I got a new rice cooker to replace the 8.88$ one we've been using for 5 years. I got a pair of sunglasses, and I got a Coach purse. That's right . . . a nice, leather, beautiful purse. I am still in shock. I just started taking it with me today and it feels like it has a life of its own. I'm constantly checking to make sure it doesn't wander off. Who needs a baby when you could have a Coach purse? Oh . . . and Dave is getting me TiVo or a version thereof.

So, it was a fun birthday. Thanks for all the calls and emails.

Yesterday Ben and Alex had almost private swim lessons with Elaine and Jeremy's coach. Alex loved it. He wants to be a swimmer now. Ben was less enthusiastic, but he did well. He hates being on his back . . . hence the lessons rather than me teaching him.

Day Camp

I went with Jeremy to Day Camp yesterday. What a day. The theme was Medieval Castles. Our den was Cardiff Castle. They jousted, made chain mail, arched, made catapults, and made shields. He was so excited to go again today.

In other news, a new library branch opened up today. It is only 5 minutes away. We are so excited. We popped over for awhile today and the kids made pirate hats and little boats in a storytime/craft/drama/science session. It pooped Liam out.

Benjamin's the Man!

Here is Ben with Ms. Alicia right before his preschool program.
And here he is with Ms. Lynette. Notice his handedness.
Here's the group of Lord of Grace Little Ducklings performing in the chapel.
Benjamin in his performance regalia.
The next day at his graduation celebration.

This picture was supposed to be first. It is on the way to the program. He refused to keep his shirt tucked in. His hair is freshly spiffed . . . notice the water spots on his shirt. By the way, his teachers got as big a kick out of him as we did. They were always telling me cute little Ben-isms. For example: they read a farm book and Ben kept saying how cute the little kittens were! "Aren't those little kittens so cute!" He just couldn't get over it. The next day he noticed a little trash can shaped like a big one (like Oscar's can with a lid) and he said, "Look at this cute little garbage! Isn't it cute?"

About what he learned this year he says, "to write my name better." I'll have to scan his name writing efforts sometime.

Finished a book

So I read Stephenie Meyer's "The Host". I liked it. It wasn't as captivating as the Twilight series, but very intriguing. There were times when I wished she had fine tuned parts more. Some of it felt a little half-baked, but the story was excellent. If she writes sequels, I will most likely read them. She hinted at some future dilemmas. Anyway. Now I have to decide what to read next.

Recent Events

Alex's kindergarten took a trip to the ASDM. I met them out there with Liam and Ben. Elaine's class had a castle fair. Hers was quite colorful. The saguaro are blooming. I couldn't resist taking a few photos. Here they are.