Diving 101

We call this one the "curve" dive.

We call this one the "Pencil" dive.

(yep cousin Donna, those are the cute trunks you sent him last year which slid right off his little bum.  They fit PERFECT this year! Thanks!!! : )

Here are our "Weal" dives.

Gotta be a 10 for pointed toes! Right? :)

Coming up for air! His face usually looks like a cat's in water for this one, but he just keeps on going!

Swimming freestyle... or spastic style... I am not sure... but he sure goes and he puts a lot of effort into it! Great job buddy!

Maylin's Dive. 

Look at those straight lines! But it makes my face hurt looking at what is about to be a great impact!

Swimming underwater all the way across the pool to Daddy! She is like a fish underwater. On top of the water is a completely different story. Her freestyle tends to look more like she is in the spin cycle! : ) It is pretty cute but she doesn't go very far.

I just love to watch these two play together. 90% of the time they love each other and laugh and play so well together. The other 10% well lets just say the 90% totally makes the 10% worth it.

Pierson and Maylin you bring so much joy and love into our lives! Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for the gift you are to us!

Tough Kids

 To say that Pierson and Maylin are tough cookies is probably a bit of an understatement. A few nights ago we were riding bikes. We have a great place for riding. We live .8 of a mile off of the main road so it is perfect. Part of the road is gravel before it turns into a paved single lane road. The kids favorite part is the paved part as it is smoother with less hills. Unfortunately they both fell before we got to the paved part. There were a few tears. As soon as I suggested we turn back towards the house. They both dried up the tears! Pierson hopped to his feet while leaning over holding his knee and said in his best tough guy/martyr voice "No I O.K. Keep going."  I chuckled to myself and off we went.  I didn't think much more about it. They seemed to be fine. We rode the rest of the way to the top of the road, turned around and rode home. When we got home I couldn't help but notice the dried blood  which had been running down their arms and legs! They seemed to think they were pretty cool!

Does this make me mom of the year or what? :0

Hopefully I earned points back by cleaning them up and letting them choose their own band aides?

 Buzz Lightyear and Cars were in order for Pierson's knee.

Hello Kitty and Cars were what the Dr. ordered for Maylin's elbow. (She helped put on the Hello Kitty).

I think knee pads and elbow pads are in order don't you?

It's Been a Long Week!

We have had a crazy week around here. 

Monday: ran some errands for Mom (helping her get last minutes things done before her trip to China), 

The kids had Swim lessons from  3:00-4:15. Our friend, Kate took them because I had to drive to the house we are selling 45 minutes away. It was showing that evening and the grass needed cut. 

From 5:30-8:00 we were supposed be at VBS but while I was gone cutting the grass Maylin decided to catch a mouse and get bit by it! Off to the Urgent Care we went with a dead mouse in my purse. 

Picked up dinner on the run went to pick up Pierson at Kate's.

  Ate our dinner there.

 Drove home and CRASHED.

Tuesday: 8:30-1:45 we were at preschool. (I teach, and the kids are in class from 9-1:00)

2:00-Home to put on swim suits and sun screen. 

Swimming from 3:00-4:15

Home to bathe before VBS at 5:30. Left church at 8:15. 

Went home ate a snack (the kids were starving) got ready for bed and CRASHED.

Wednesday: Repeat Tuesday exactly except replace the snack at home after VBS with going to McDonalds. I had to get gas and McD's was right there. Pierson and Maylin both ate a cheeseburger, 5 nuggets and a parfait! Unbelievable! I promise they ate dinner at VBS! I watched them scarf it down with my own eyes. 

We went home rode bikes for a little bit and then CRASHED!

Thursday: 8:30-1:45 School.  Maylin started having some issued I thought were related to the medicine she was taking for the mouse bite. 

We got an appointment for her at 2:40. It was the opposite direction from home so we had to kill some time by going to "the store". (we missed swimming that day). 

Got a good report from the Dr. so we headed off to VBS from 5:30-8:00. 

Went home ate a big snack rode bikes for a few minutes and... CRASHED.

Friday: We did get to "sleep in" until I heard Pierson ringing a bell at 7:45am. He was sitting on the floor right beside Maylin's bed with the lights on ringing a high pitched metal bell. REALLY? I asked him why? He just said, "I just paying".  So up we were. We only have school on Tues, Wed, Thurs so we had the morning off. I cleaned the pantry while the kids rode their bikes and played most of the morning. 

3:00-4:15 Swimming

Home for a bath

5:30-8:15 VBS Grand finale. It really was a great week at VBS! I enjoyed helping out and the kids LOVED it! Of course afterwards they were hungry again. It was after all Friday so I thought we should go get ice cream. 

We headed to a local diner to get ice cream but Pierson was "BERY HUNGREE" so he got a Cheeseburger and Fries (this isn't your McD's cheeseburger it is the real deal. BIG and juicy) followed by a whole milkshake!  He's gotta be growing!

After all of that (with Adam AND my Mom out of town) ALL three of us were exhausted. 

Friday night: Pierson mustered up a half smile before I scrubbed off his pirate patch and panda. 

 While I was scrubbing Pierson, Maylin put herself to bed.

 

She did want a picture of her paintings before I took them off. Neither one of them wanted to lose their artwork but were too tired to argue with me! 

It has been a long time since I have been that busy! It was fun while it lasted but I must say... I am glad it is over! :)

We are looking forward to a SLOWER pace next week!

She's a Hungry Girl!

When you are hungry and just can't wait for Mommy to get out of the shower...

Go make your own breakfast. :0

And who needs a table when you can sit in the doorway of the "fridge-Rador". Everything is within arms reach! 

Away They Go!!!

My sister and brother-in-law are on their way to China with three kids and Grandma in tow!

Why you ask?

To bring home this Precious Angel!!!

 On Saturday this little one, Daniel, will be the newest member of the M_____ family and my newest nephew!

 They get to meet him Friday and then travel with him and a social worker from Beijing to Urumqi (in the most north western province of China).   Urumqi is the capital city in his birth province. After going to Beijing for heart surgery he has been very lucky to have been in a wonderful foster home. He has obviously been loved and well taken care of while there.

We are praying for safe travels and an easy transition for all!!! Daniel we can't wait to meet you on Skype ASAP!!! :)

Pierson and Maylin-isms

We have many strange sayings around here that don't seem so weird to me... but probably sound a little odd to the outside world.

Here's a little test to see how well you know Pierson and Maylin-isms.

1  .Maylin:
"I be in High School in Ten Weeks."

Does she...
A. think she will actually be in High School in ten weeks?
B. plan on going to High School in Ten Years?
or
C. think that High School is Elementary School and ten weeks is just a long way off?

2.  Pierson:
"Mom i can't find my Chum."

Is he...
A: going to be attracting Sharks?
B. playing police officer and needs his gun?
or
C. looking for chewing gum?

3. Maylin:
"I want a NoodleCorn"

Does she...
A. want to draw a picture of a unicorn?
B. want a noodle dish with corn?
or
C. want a pipe cleaner?

4. Pierson:

"I stinking"

Is he...

A. thinking real hard?

B. needing a bath?

or

C. pretending to be a bee?

5. Maylin:
"I like fananina"

Is fananina...
A. the name of her fairy?
B. a ballerina?
or
C. a small deer?

6. Pierson:
"I kirw dat sting bug"

Is he...
A. shewing away a wasp?
B.  trying to trap a fly?
or
C. trying to kill a fire ant?

We hope you have enjoyed our little quiz and gotten to know a little bit of the "sounds" of Pierson and Maylin.

Answers: 

1: C, 2:B, 3:A, 4: B, 5:A, 6:C

And They Are Off!

Pierson has been able to wobble his way around on two wheels for a while but last weekend at our cousins house he took off without hesitation. Good job big guy! 

 After asking me if "this is a fall down bike" (aka a bike without training wheels)  my cousin Trisha got up and helped her with the two wheeler. It only took a couple of pushes before she was off without stopping.

 And there she goes!!!!!

 Good job guys! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!!!

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words.

"Need a bath Grandma?"

... you should have seen her expression a moment later.

 That would have been a picture worth a million words! 

An Afternoon with Grandpa and Grandma Claire.

3-D Kung Fu Panda II! What more could a little boy want?

Answer: Not much!

 Maylin thought she was pretty grown up in her 3-D glasses.

 After the movie, ice cream and a carousel ride was in order.

Spending the day with Grandpa and Grandma Claire is always full of adventure. Thanks you guys for a great afternoon of lunch, a movie, ice cream and "pony ride"! : )

Last Day of Kindergarten!!!

Completing another phase of his life. My little buddy finished his last day of Kindergarten yesterday. It is hard to believe. It feels like it was last week that we were obnoxiously following him through the halls with a camera for his first day of school. He has done so well this year. There have been many changes and accomplishments in this short 9 months. 

 He has become fluent in a new language. 

 He has grown A LOT!!!

 And he has lost 3 teeth. (The later of the three came out yesterday, the last day of school!) I am so proud of him and all that he has learned this year. He is my little sunshine. 

 Speaking of being proud... After only 15 months in the US Maylin placed out of ESL services (English as a Second Language). She took the test without batting an eye. The results... she is now fluent in English! I knew they both were but to hear someone else say it is AMAZING! Congratulations Maylin! 

 To celebrate the last day of school and Maylin's test score I decided milk and fresh baked cookies were in order! 

Here's to summer!

 Let the good times roll! :)

I have a preschool graduate!!!

I am afraid the next time I blink I am going to have a High School graduate.

Maylin getting her diploma! 

Enjoying the portfolio of her work.

Oh my sweet girl how I long for you to stay little! I am so proud of her accomplishments and very excited for her to go on to kindergarten... yet my heart breaks just a little knowing that my "Sugar Bear" is growing up... Ugh! Please someone tell me it gets easier NOT harder as they age.