Swim Class & More

This past weekend we started Ben & Ella on swim lessons. I'm going to start something with Nicholas next session hopefully (hopefully, the first class isn't on his birthday party day!) Anyway, both kids were very hesitant about this whole getting in the pool thing. Thankfully, they were not the only ones so I didn't feel all too bad. Ella did go in after a while and even floated across to the platform on the other side with the help of the teacher. Unfortunately, she let go of the pole on the platform and went under the water. After that, she was rather nervous about the whole thing so she only spent a little more time in the pool.

Benjamin took more time to be o.k. with the pool. I tried putting him in there but he was lifting his legs up and had he just put his legs down, he would feel the bottom. Eventually, he went in and realized that there was a bottom and he wouldn't go all the way in. However, he didn't last long in the pool. I blame myself for not introducing them to the pool sooner (which is why I want to get Nicholas in there as soon as possible though with him it will be with the parent tot class as you have to be 3 to be in the class Ben & Ella are in.

We are going to try to make it to the Friday night family swim night so the kids can go swimming then with our assistance. I hope this will make them o.k. with the saturday swim class that goes on for another 5 weeks.

Speaking of the twins, one night Benjamin got hurt (he had bit his finger when eating a sandwich) and he did this thing he always does that I hate in which it seems he is not breathing and to top that off, he had food in his mouth so I got a bit nervous he would choke. Ella started to freak out then because of that and I thought it was sweet she was so concerned that something was really going on - but it wasn't. All was cool once I got Benjamin to actually breathe again to tell me what happened.

As for Nicholas - he is saying more and more sentances. He has been saying thank you for a while, but last night actually said you're welcome to me - though I think it was more you elcom. He also says "soos me" for excuse me and it was so cute because last night, he was riding on a little scooter car thing and he said "soos me mommy. Soos me!" Such a polite little boy.


Also - potty training. I THOUGHT we had made some progress when all 3 went poo on the potty over the weekend, but nope. It feels neverending.

Year In Review

1) What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

I can't think of anything that was new this year.

2) Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Yes, I read more than 52 books in 2010.

3) Did anyone close to you give birth in 2010?

No, not anyone close though I know some people that have given birth in 2010.

4)Did anyone close to you die?

Unfortunately, yes. My grandmother (on my dad's side) died on March 31. My aunt Judy (my mom's sister) died on August 13. And a fellow vanpool rider died in September, I believe.

5) What countries did you visit?

The U.S.! ;-D

6) What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

More sleep. A bigger and clean house. A clean bill of health for everyone I know.

7) What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

March 31 - Grandmother died.
August 13 - Aunt died
October 13 - Jon turned 40!

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Raising 3 kids.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?

Possible food poisoning or flu but that's about it. I did have a cyst in my wrist drained. It has since come back and then I hit it on Saturday accidentally and it feels a bit better or so I thought. It is starting to hurt again.

10) What was the best thing you bought?

Kindle!


11) What song will always remind you of 2010?

Probably The Black Keys song "Tighten Up"

12) Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder, b) thinner or fatter, and c) richer or poorer?
a) Happier, but definitely more tired. Exhausted really.
b) Fatter
c) I'm making more, but I feel poorer.

13) What do you wish you’d done more of?

Spent more time with the kids (when they weren't throwing tantrums) and more time with hubby.

14) What do you wish you’d done less of?
work and chores (but those are unavoidable).


15) How did you spend Christmas?
With my husband, babies, kitties and Jon's parents and sister, Tanya. We were at my house. Next year, we're going to Spokane. In 2012, Jon's sister, Janel, wants us to come to Arkansas but we'll see if we can save the money for that.

16) Did you fall in love in 2010?

Of course! With all of my sweeties!

17) What was your favorite TV program?

The Amazing Race

18) What was the best book you read?

Mockingjay or the Millennium trilogy

19) What was your greatest musical discovery this year?
The Black Keys or Mumford & Sons

20) What did you want and get?

Kindle. iPod Touch. InSpa gift card.

21) What did you want and not get?

More time with the kids. Sleep. More date nights. iPhone (or similar smartphone)

22) What was your favorite film of the year?

Films? What are those? :-D I do plan to see Harry Potter this Friday - our first date since August, I think.

23) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant with friends. I turned 37.

24) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I think more time off from work. More time spent alone with my husband - that time not easy to get.

25) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Anything that fits and looks somewhat decent.

26) What kept you sane?

I'm not sure that has happened. My theme song right now is Crazy by Gnarls Barkley.

27) What political issue stirred you the most this year?
Don't Ask, Don't Tell or the Health Care Reform

28) Who did you miss?
Family. Grandmother, grandfather and my Aunt who have passed away.

29) Who was the best new person you met in 2010?

Hmm, I don't know if I really met anyone new this year. There have some been some reconnections with people I knew a while back but lost track of. It was nice getting together with them again!

30) What valuable lesson have you learned in 2010?

You just have to have faith that everything will be alright.

31) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Well, there are a few.

"I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind" - Crazy by Gnarls Barkley

"Living just to keep going
Going just to be sane.
All the while I know
It's such a shame"

Tighten Up by The Black Keys

So Many Things

We celebrated another Christmas. We stayed at home this year and Jon's parents and youngest sister joined us. We actually got a real Christmas tree this year and we haven't done that since before we had our cats (about 6 years ago). Ben & Ella definitely got the whole Christmas and Santa thing this year and will keep saying "we saw Santa at your work mommy!" Each year, Santa comes to my work for pictures which is great since there is pretty much no line. Anyway, they enjoyed it and love opening gifts. Their latest gift was from my older of the two brothers and my parents. One of the items was a little Dora stuffed doll and a Dora blanket - Ella was IN LOVE. Benjamin was sad that he didn't get one too. He got a Buzz Lightyear - they haven't seen that movie yet so maybe once they do, he will be o.k. with Buzz. Nicholas got a Buddy from Toy Story as well. Benjamin LOVED his new fire truck. Ella LOVED her doll set. Nicholas was happy with whatever.


One night when we came home, the moon was only about 3/4 full. Ella says to me "the moon is broken. We need to get a new one." Cracked me up.

Nicholas is really cute - he says the other day "where are dey?" to me. I have no idea what he is looking for so I ask them what he is looking for and he says "I doe no. Where are dey?" So cute!

Benjamin seems to like getting comforted by his sister more so than me. He hurt his hand the other day and would not accept comfort from me, but from his sister. They were playing mommy and baby so maybe that is why...though that isn't the first instance he wanted Ella or he wanted his papa instead of me. :-(

Oh, we also celebrated New Year's by having people over on the Eve of. We had a couple that have two kids (one of which is 3), and a few other friends. Ella lasted the longest and stayed up 'til 12:30. Benjamin made it to 11:30 and Nicholas lasted until about 10:15. They did not sleep in the next day. They slept until about 7! Ugh.
They did sleep until 8 on Sunday though...

Happy New Year everyone - I hope 2011 is better than 2010 (stay tuned for a Year in Review post).