Day at the Bay

Jillian and Natalie BFF
A "hug"! Jillian doesn't usually let Natalie show this much love...

Some prancing!

Brayden with his nanny for the day, Nicole:)

Brayden with a little help from Nicole

Love this one of Natalie running in the bay...a better mom would have remebered the swim suits (they were back in the car).

Ally filling some BIG shoes!

My sister Caitlyn and her friend Nicole

Aunti Cay Cay and my poor Allison with no swimsuit!

Natalie is making a sand dinosaur...and Allison is posing!

Ally saying "cheese"!

No day at the bay is complete without a sandy PB&J!

Andrea and I both used to live a stones throw from this very spot. Of course it was many years ago and children and "family" weren't much on our minds. We decided that a day at the bay would be fun for the kids and for us to remember that even though we live in suburbia, the fun days in the sun are only a picnic lunch and a drive (a very loud whiny drive with lots of threats to 'pull this car over') away...enjoy!

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha gonna do?

So my friends husband is a police officer and she organized a day for all the kiddos to gather around and witness a police car come through the neighborhood with lights and sirens! Better for Natalie and Allison to experience this in the neighborhood then behind mommy's car! Natalie was VERY shy and did not want to get in the car or press any of the buttons. Most of the kids were crazy to do this! She did pose in front of the car when I told her we could send the picture to Grandpa in Indiana...that seems to be the closest I could get her. I hope it is the closest she EVER gets...as a result from our fabulous parenting of course!

Natalie and Paige

Brooklyn and Scarlett, Ally's friend:)

Yesterday Yard, Today a Swingset

Natalie has waited with much anticipation for the day Ben would OK a swing set of her very own. We passed up a few free offers back when Natalie was just a baby thinking, "we don't need a swing set". But the day came when the pros outweighed the cons and we are proud owners of an awesome swing set!

I looked for almost 6 months on craigslist, even drove out to several yards to inspect what they had. None were exactly what we needed. Too big, too small, too unsteady, to expensive...the excuses came easily. Finally Ben gave me the green light to find JUST the right one online.

Ebay of all places had a perfect one for us...enough swings...a clubhouse on the bottom so we don't have to worry about Ally falling out, even monkey bars which weren't a "must have". FREE shipping! You have to LOVE Ebay!

The freight truck pulled in Wednesday morning and Ben had a few guys come over 7am Thursday to try to get it all done. Done it is! We are so proud of our new addition to the yard. And a BIG thanks to Larry and Steve who brought their tools, patience and bad jokes!

Turns out we do have "something" in common with the Obama's.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/04/obama-surprises-daughters_n_172009.html

Shark Award!

Natalie earned her FIRST Award and I got a chance to be the proud parent and take too many embarrassing pictures! She started swim class about 8 weeks ago. We were hesitant at first but finally decided that a private lesson was what Natalie needed. No other kids to distract or for her to badger (which loves to do!). The Swim School sold me on the benefits of one on one instruction and I have to say I am grateful we have stuck with it because in only 8 weeks Natalie has learned all the basic skills. She is now in Level 2 which practices all the same skills, just moving to complete Independence. Here are my proud parent pictures...

Here is Miss Dee getting Natalie ready with her goggles...Natalie is getting ready to dive for rings.

Diving for rings...Natalie gets to throw them into the water and she swims under with her eyes open to get them...Alligator Arms...getting ready to push off to Miss Dee.

Here Natalie is pushing off and "floating" to her teacher with her Alligator Arms still out.

Here she is rolling over on to a back float. They teach this for safety...in case she was in trouble she can roll over to breath and call for help.Going over the pool safety rules.
Jumping in...one of her favorite parts! This is the safety training again. As soon as they jump in they roll to aback float to catch their breath then they swim to the edge and climb out by themselves.

Just out the pool with goggle marks...so proud!

Time for the Shark Award! Along with a bumper sticker, a free frozen yogurt and a shark gummy candy! Yippie!And one more for mom!