1st Swimming Lesson

Today was Jimmy's last day with all 4 & the first day of swimming lessons. All 3 did pretty well at swimming lessons.

Drew didn't want to go in at first because he wanted me in there with him, but once he realized I would be sitting right there he did better. Of all the kids in his class he was definitely the most confident in the water - going completely under & trying to swim on his own.

Calyn even got splashed in the face & didn't even cry!

Corry was so giddy & excited when the lesson was over to tell me all about everything she accomplished and how she was swimming with no floaties!

They first talked about safety for a few minutes before they got into the pool. There are 3 large steps that lead into the pool so that's where they had their lessons. They started by putting their chins in, then each ear, then their noses, then blew some bubbles. Next they practiced floating on their tummies & then their backs.

Next up they got on their tummies on the first step and practiced their kicks - big kicks & little kicks. They went out into the pool with the instructors & used their kicks, then kicked with kickboards.

Next they used their arms like ice cream scoops to practice their crawl strokes. After each "skill" the instructors would take them out into the pool to practice the move.

They go to lessons again tomorrow, Thursday & Friday, and then again next week Tuesday-Friday. We'll see how they progress.

Below are some pictures (and a video). Enjoy!

Daddy made Drew a special track for his trains this morning. Who needs a couch to sit on, anyway?

Corry watching some cartoons in her Hello Kitty nightgown with Milo bright & early this morning.


A picture in front of the fireplace (notice Calyn is now wearing Corry's Hello Kitty nightgown)

I believe we're watching a little Thomas in this one. That is the treadmill that Corry & Calyn are sitting on :)

The kids checking out about 15 Tuck the turtles before their swimming lessons

None of the the swimming lesson pictures are very good because my crappy little camera doesn't zoom very far. Deachi's going to bring her good camera to one lesson, but she was swimming with Max during this one. There were 5 kids in the class - 3 of them were ours.

Calyn doing some swimming in the baby pool after the lesson

Calyn waiting for Corry to come down the slide

Corry getting ready to slide down the butterfly slide

Drew thinking about going head first down the butterfly slide (he eventually did)

Drew sliding

Corry sliding

Uncle Jimmy & a very serious baby Max

Baby Max

And a video of Drew jabbering away this morning.....so you can hear his little voice T-Dawg!

Aunt Deachi has the kids tomorrow & Thursday. Hopefully they are as good to her as they have been to Jimmy!

Lots of posts this week

Just a warning, I'll probably have lots of posts this week because Mom & Dad are in Kauai & have limited cell phone signals, but took their computer so they could keep up with the babies through the blog.

Today we went to The Little Gym for a birthday party. I didn't bring my camera, so no pictures from me, but Deachi got quite a few. They had a wonderful time. I was worried since it was from 1-2:30, which is right at naptime. No meltdowns, so it was a success. Corry ended up sleeping until 6:00 after the party. I think she was worn out.

Mom - I had to go into gymnastics on Saturday, but he did really great as long as I was in there. I just sat by the wall the whole time & he pretty much ignored me. He listened pretty well & participated in all the different activities. They don't have gymnastics next Saturday since its the 4th of July, so they get a make up class. The girls are going to go to Drew's sports skills development class for their make up class, so we'll see how he does on Friday with them in class with him. I plan to take one of the new trains I found so that he can SEE his bribe if he goes in without crying. I have 3 on reserve as bribe tactics, so we'll see.


I think Carlie might be protesting you all being gone - she popped an inflatable basketball (I think it might have come in a happy meal or something), but she also ate a hole in Corry's froggie neck pillow. Corry doesn't know yet. We need to make sure and keep all the stuffed animals out of her reach - she's done in all the dog toys, so I think she's moving on to whatever she can get her teeth into :) Otherwise, she's being a sweet girl, and the spot on her head looks much better after a couple days of neosporin.

I think we are going to have a very sad little man when its time for Andrew to go back to school. Drew is turning more and more into a mini-Andrew everyday. In the mornings when he comes down instead of being greeted with "Good morning, Mommy" I get "Hey Dude." Andrew's also always mimicing Mr. Mackey from Southpark by saying "mmmmkay," and now Drew's doing it as well with the voice change and the whole nine yards. Anytime Andrew's car is gone he wants to know where he is and why he's there, and if Andrew is "sleeping in" on the weekends, Drew needs to know why and when he's going to be up. Hopefully Andrew's not too sick of us yet.

I was getting the house ready for the cleaning ladies & came across Jimmy's father's day card from the kids. Corry drew a picture of Daddy & signed her name on the card. She also drew "her first stair step" so you'll see that in the middle of the signature. What looks like a "T" at the bottom is actually her "Y"


Punky Drew playing with trains
Corry modeling her birthday present from Aunt Nancy & Uncle Joe

Jimmy's home with the kids Monday & Tuesday. Since cleaning lady day is tomorrow he's going to have the kids at our house in the morning & then take them to Matt & Deachi's house for naptime. Not sure what he has in store for them for Tuesday.

Sorry T-Dawg, I buzzed him again!

Drew needed a hair cut & I had some bribe material ready to go - a new Gordon train to add to his collection. He did a great job & held still the whole time I was buzzing him. I think he looks cute :)

Pirate Day at The Little Gym

Today was pirate day at The Little Gym, so we decided to take a few pictures. Corry wore the pirate scarf on her head & Drew wore his pirate t-shirt. Here is a picture of them saying "Arrrrgh" According to Corry this is her "mean pirate face."

Another mean pirate face from Corry

Daddy & Drewski

A better shot of Drew's pirate shirt

Corry, Milo, & Daddy

Mommy & pirates

And, just for fun, a picture of Drew with his most prized possessions. He actually requested this picture

Deachi & I went to the spa this afternoon - she had a pedicure & I had a massage & got my eyebrows waxed. Andrew & Matt are going to a concert tonight, I'm not sure if Jimmy has decided if he'll join them yet or not. The kids have a birthday party at The Little Gym tomorrow afternoon. Other than that, nothing else planned for the weekend.

Pictures from my Friday with the 4 kiddos

Mom & Dad left for Hawaii Friday morning, so I took the day off to be home with the kids. They were all really good and we had a fun morning. Drew still isn't fond of his big boy sports skills development class at The Little Gym, so that didn't go so well, but the rest of the day was lots of fun. Here are some pictures from yesterday:

I was sweeping on the dog hair up off the floors & Max kept trying to take the broom from me, so I decided to put him to work with Corry's little broom. He swept & swept & had lots of fun. If you notice the baseboards are missing its because we decided to finally finish up that project, however, as far as we've gotten is taking off the old baseboards. When removing the old ones a few holes were revealed & a few new ones made in the walls under the old baseboards. Drew is convinced this is all Andrew's doing, so first thing out of his mouth each morning is "Why Andrew broke the wall?"

Corry & Calyn decided to move their people up to the bar in the kitchen so that Max, aka "No Baby" could not get to them.

Max crusing around the dining room on Lightning McQueen.

Max enjoying his lunch of macaroni & cheese & peanut butter & jelly hot dog bun since we were out of bread. He ate the best lunch of anyone. That little dude can put away the food!

Corry & Calyn deep in conversation about the slinky dog.

Drew going for a ride on his trike before his sports class.

Max decided our hallway needed to be mowed after he got up from his nap

Grumpy faced Drew after nap - I'm sure it was because "No Baby" was trying to take something of his.

After nap Deachi got home from work & we all went swimming. Andrew & Jimmy had gone to play golf, so they met us at the pool. I think the 4 kids must have worn me out yesterday because I was ready for bed at 8:00!

Jones & Carter Company Picnic

Saturday was Jimmy's work's company picnic at Northshore park. We headed there after gymnastics to have lunch & let the kids play for awhile. It was HOT!!! After we ate barbecue & played the water balloon toss (which Andrew won) we headed home. The kids had a fun time. Here are a few pictures from the picnic & some from Saturday evening just hanging around the house.

Corry climbing the rock wall to get up to the tall slide
Getting ready to slide down

Drew doing some climbing

Drew chasing the geese

Max doing a little batting practice in the living room

My handsome, fit throwing, little man

Beautiful Corry

Sweet little Calyn Grace

Big cheese from Cors

Fingernail polish fiasco

This morning Corry wanted to paint her nails before going to lunch with Grandma Connie, Grandpa Jack, Uncle Craig, & Aunt Lindsay. This is my way of bribing her into me trimming her nails, a hygeine routine she dislikes immensely. While I was trying to trim her nails Drew came into the bathroom & told me he wanted to paint his toes. I told him to go ask his dad, knowing that Jimmy wouldn't go for it, but it would at least buy me some time to finish trimming Corry's nails & start with the painting.

Drew was back into the bathroom very quickly & had in his hands a very dark red bottle of fingernail polish. I don't know if he figured out how to unscrew the lid just enough, or if it wasn't on good, but he was able to use all his might to pull off the lid which caused nail polish to cover the bathroom mirror, Jimmy's sink, Jimmy's handsoap, his electric toothbrush, the front of the bathroom cabinet, the training potty, the tile floors, my legs, & of course Drew's hands & arms.

He tried to flee the scene as I was frantically attempting to clean up what looked like a bloody masacre, when he realized he had it all over his hands and needed to wipe them off as soon as possible - the closest thing was the bathroom door, door frame & wall, so naturally it got coated in red polish as well.

You now cannot enter our bathroom without being knocked over by fingernail polish remover fumes, but I think I got it all out. Places here & there (the handle of Jimmy's electric toothbrush) may be permanately stained a light pinkish color, but for the most part the nail polish came out.

In retrospect, I wish I had taken some pictures because I'm sure my description does not do it justice, but at the time it happened I was having to use about the most self control I have had to use yet when it comes to Drew & his messes. I must say, I did pretty well.

Corry's 4 year stats

Corry had her 4 year well child check up today and she did awesome! She weighs 35.2 lbs which is the 51% in weight & is 40.75 inches tall which is 71% in height. She's doing everything she should be doing as a 4 year old. She had to get 3 shots today and didn't shed one single tear. I'm so proud of my big girl! Miss Gigi, the nurse, told Corry she needed her come back and teach all the 4 year olds how to get shots. She got to pick out 2 stickers for being so good, and then Mommy took her to Target to pick out a special new toy. She chose a Hello Kitty scrapbooking kit.

I had so much anxiety over this appointment & she more than exceeded my expectations. We used to not even be able to mention the word "doctor" without her breaking down into hysterics. My baby is growing up!

A fun day with the 4, 3, 2, & 1 year olds!!!

I took off today to stay home with the kiddos - Deachi had a meeting this morning, but when it was finished she joined us. We took the kids to the pool in the morning & after nap we took the Water Taxi at The Woodlands Waterway. The kids enjoyed going on a boatride, but I think they enjoyed playing in Pottery Barn Kids before the boat ride more than anything. Here are a few pictures from this morning.

Max & Drew watching a little Thomas the Tank Engine before heading to the swimming pool
Sweet Calyn, beloved Milo, and precious Corry watching some cartoonies while waiting for Deachi to get home from her meeting

Miss Calyn Grace

Messy faced Drew trying to figure out how to make Thomas louder

An extremely unhappy Max - see explanation & video clip below

Deachi's finally here!!! We can go swimming now!

Max was really upset with Aunt Meme today because I wouldn't let him throw pool balls off the pool table....I know I'm so mean. And as a word of caution - there is brief nudity in the following clip. Proceed with caution.

Dinner time drama

Tonight Drew got in trouble for clocking Jimmy in the head with his Thomas the Train fork. One of those situations where I knew I couldn't laugh, but really wanted to.


Here is a picture of our special houseguest, Miss Carlie. I credit her with teaching Drew his "Ls."



Happy Meghan
Maddie gagging at the precise moment I shot the picture. Don't worry, she got it up.