Lounge Lizards

My family of loungers ... Lyla has such a different personality than Steven. She is much more laid back even when she wears his hand-me-down PJs! Steven would have never just laid on the couch to watch a show before bedtime. But Lyla, well, she's as content as can be lounging on the couch or playing by herself.

Swimming Lessons

Our first swimming lesson was today! My bet was that Steven was going to totally freak out and throw a fit when we got in the pool. For Lyla, I thought she would love it and just splash around like a fish.


I was half right on both of them.

Lyla got right in the pool with Tom but Steven stayed with me on the pool deck. I didn't want to push him because I wasn't about to create a permanent scar. Eventually I coaxed Steven onto the edge, then sat him in the gutter then I was able to jump in and bring him in, too. All the while Lyla was starting to get very fussy and unhappy about being in the pool with her daddy. She was probably getting cold.

Overall the lesson was a win! Steven got in the water and Lyla liked it for the most part! It sure is amazing though how long it takes to get them ready to get in the pool and then get them ready to go home. I think we spend more time in locker rooms than in the water!

Two Step

Lyla took her first steps at the Fish Fry tonight! Well, at least the first steps that her mommy saw!

Tommy had just got done telling me that she climb up him earlier in the day, let go, raised her arms over her head for balance and stood there for a few seconds. Now she is bold enough to take steps!

Watch out world!

Gainfully Employed!

Please join me in congratulating my husband on his new job!!!!

Tommy is now a full-time associate with Kauffman Scholars, Inc. This is the same program for disadvantaged youth that he has been substitute teaching with over the last year or so. They had an opening for an academic position on the Kansas City, Kansas side come available in the last month, offered him an interview and hired him just last week!

The prospects for teaching positions in our area is bleak - most districts are cutting back and laying off existing staff (not renewing contracts). What a blessing to have this job just fall in to place for Tommy!

We are all excited for him and the new possibilities presented by this position!

Olympic Flame

Okay, so I know this blog is really about chronicalling our family's life but I just have to post about this one ...

Finally, after a week, Tommy and I watched the flame lighting ceremony at the Olympics. Well, at least the first part of it because the DVR wasn't set to record the overrun. Anyway, Wayne Gretzy's face was PRICELESS!

Bob Costas revealing the obvious - “Truth be told, they may be experiencing something of a mechanical failure here.”

Wayne - "Oh no, its not working .... what do I do? what do I do? .... Just stand here, look cool ... repeat I am the Great One I am the Great One."

A visit from family

I love that our family likes to come visit. Even though we have a relatively tiny house it is so nice to welcome them to our home and spend a few cozy days together!

Lori and Eleanor came to visit us for Valentine's Day weekend. Eleanor didn't have school on Friday or Monday so we had more time together without the rush of arriving late on Friday or getting out door early on Sunday. There were a few hiccups and meltdowns during the weekend but I guess that is to be expected with 3 adults and 3 kids in 900 square feet!

On Friday night we watched the Olympic games opening ceremonies. In celebration I gave Eleanor and Steven "gold medals."

On Saturday morning we went to the zoo. Lori has an amazing camera and got some great pictures of the kids playing at the zoo and feeding the goats and deer. We love visiting the zoo and it had been over a month since I had been there. Tommy starts his docent training next weekend - I hope that doesn't limit our time there as a family since he'll have to be volunteer rather than visiting!

Saturday night Lori graciously offered to babysit the kids so that Tommy and I could go out to dinner. It was nice to have a few hours out together and know that the kids were safe at home with their Aunt and cousin! Steven even got his bedtime story read to him by cousin Eleanor. She is a great reader and Steven enjoyed having his big cousin to boss around all weekend!

Sunday morning we took Eleanor for a walk to get her Valentine surprise. Cupcake a la Mode! Our favorite neighborhood business was open for special hours on Valentine's Day - I am sure the owner made a good profit that day! We usually eat our cupcakes at the shop but we were running close to the time we needed to leave for church so we took them home. Steven was terribly upset that he couldn't eat his cupcake so we had to let him have a half of a half (as Eleanor called it) right when we got home!

It was a great weekend with family and this time we caught a picture of my sister with Lyla ... now I just have to get one with Tracy!

The Kansas City Zoo by Lori Forstie

Apprehension at the Goat Pen

A striking Macaw

The new male cria, baby llama, born on Saturday, January 16, 2010