How to do the backstroke. Or not.

Since we have gotten our new pool (which I will blog all about later--can't wait to do that because it has been such an AWESOME transformation and an amazing addition to our lives!!) I have spent quite a bit of time with the boys during the day teaching them how to actually swim.

In the last few weeks, both Ethan and Cameron have been able to ditch their 'floaties' and can now swim independently for long lengths of time, both over and under the water.  Colin has been a pro for a while, thanks to a SPLASH program at his school where he gets to go to the local YMCA for a week and learn all about water safety.

In the last few days, both Colin and Cameron--who happened to catch some Olympic swimming trials the other day on TV--have become interested in the different strokes, and so I've been showing them that there is more than one way to swim!

It has been incredibly fun for me--I was lucky enough to be on a swim team for a few summers when I was younger (thanks Amy and Dad!!!)--and a lifeguard in high school, so I love everything about swimming and water safety. I am so thankful that I get to teach my kids about it too, right in my own back yard.

So, yeah.  Teaching....about that. It appears as though I need to work with them a bit more when it comes to the backstroke.  If you need a little pick me up today, enjoy the first 30 seconds of this video; I've watched it 10 times now and can't help giggling at Cameron's version of the backstroke.



Happy swimming everyone!!

Kindergarten Graduation

At the end of May, we had another special night in our family--a Kindergarten Graduation for my sweet Cameron!

He was all smiles and couldn't wait to get there. 

He knew at the end of the night, he would be a big first grader!

The night started off well, but I could tell Cam was a little nervous. We have found that he is very shy when he is up in front of people, and I just hoped all would go okay for the program.

Getting ready to start

Mrs. Winkler introducing the class. She had a lot of wonderful things to say 

about Cameron's class, and that is always a good thing to hear!

Then, it was time for the class to perform a song that they sang every morning. And that is where the stage frightened side of Cameron came right out. The music began....and though all the other children did really well, he....slowly.....crumbled.



He recovered all right, just pretty much not singing when they did their other songs, but it was fine. You could hear the "poor buddy" 's and "awww, sweet little guy" 's from the moms and dads around the room!

Then it was time for the coveted diplomas!! You can see on his face that he was still nervous.

Mrs. Winkler told him what a great job he did and how she loved having him as a student. :)

That seemed to make him feel better!

Ready to turn those tassels now!

Aaaaand.....done!!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Cameron the first grader!!

Cameron and his friends (from left) Gabby, Jared, Kiley, and Cheyenne.

Proud little kiddos!

Cameron and Kiley

I don't know if Cam was more excited to be a first grader, or more excited that the program was over. :)

The fam. So proud of our sweet guy.

Cake. Cake always makes one feel better.

Cameron and his little buddy Waylon. 

I see these two in mounds of trouble for years to come! lol

Mrs. Winkler--Cameron's "favorite teacher ever", according to him.

I could not be more excited to see what the future holds for
my special, sweet, caring and super unique second child!

On the way out, we crossed paths with the school janitor, and Cam just had to show him his diploma!

We love you so much Cameron! I believe there are amazing things in store for you, 

and I am so thankful to be able to be there for such a special milestone in your life. 

Happy Kindergarten Graduation!

Happy 6th Birthday Cameron!!

Last Friday, the 14th, my sweet Cameron turned SIX! Ack--where are the years going?

He started the day with his favorite breakfast--zucchini bread!

All lit up, extra-special style, of course.

After Colin and I sang Happy Birthday, he blew out his candles and made his wish.

Sweet baby! You can tell he hasn't quite woken up;

my bright-eyed boy isn't quite so bright-eyed yet!

Love these two. :)

About an hour after I took Cam to school, Ethan, Lola and I 

returned for snack time with birthday cupcakes!

{Because what 6-year-old doesn't need sugar at 9:30 in the morning?}

Cameron had a birthday crown and was so excited to see us!

I loved the look on his face when Mrs. W. instructed him to climb on his chair, 

so the class could sing him the Happy Birthday song!

He was so cute--but embarrassed!

He looked down the whole time.  For such a funny, outgoing kid--he sure has a shy side!

The cupcakes....

 ....were a raging success! 

*giggle*

Ethan and Lola made themselves right at home in the classroom!

We actually got to stay at the school for a while, and be a part of fire safety day!

The kiddos were attentive and sat very well....

 ...and they learned several things about fire safety, including what to do if a pot caught fire....

....or what to do if you were sleeping in your bedroom and smoke started pouring in from the door!

You guessed it--go OUT the WINDOW!

The little Miss even earned her honorary fire badge.

I just crack up when I look at this picture--with Lola and Ethan, right in the midst of all the 'big kids'--but it makes me so grateful too. My children go to *the* most wonderful school. So warm and welcoming, 

with friendly staff and teachers who want nothing but the best for the children. 

I always leave there feeling so appreciative of all the faculty/staff! 

Later that day, Colin's best friend came over--and brought Cameron a gift! We thought it 

was such a nice gesture, but couldn't imagine the goodness that was inside: a Cutler jersey!! 

Cameron has been dying for one of these, and his face just lit up!!

Of course, Cameron had to put it right on.

This is how he answered when asked, "How do you like it, buddy?"

I think that's means a lot!!

That night, we rounded up the troops and Grandma MJ for a trip to Cameron's 

favorite pizza place--the same exact place we went this time last year! 

{Oh, my...how the kids have changed in just one short year!}

I have to stop and make a note here about Cameron's balloon bouquet. Grandma Jane volunteered to pick up some "Bears" balloons for Cameron (much like his tractor bouquet from last year!) but the lady at the shop didn't tie them properly. When my mom went to open the door of her car at the restaurant, the Mylar football-shaped balloon that said "BEARS" flew out of the car and into the sky! (Of course, it would have been the $5 balloon, and not the plain ones....)  So, Cameron was left with three plain balloons.  Then, we walked into the restaurant, and a little boy about one year old spotted the balloons. Cameron went over to his bouquet and took one of the balloons out and gave it to the little boy!

Such a sweet gesture--but it left him with a pretty puny-looking bouquet! *giggle*

{He didn't seem to mind!}

Lola snuggling up to Grandma!

Cameron got a card that transformed into an Iron Man Mask--of course that immediately went on.

Colin and Colden

The birthday boy with Daddy....

....and Grandma....

....and Mommy.

Lo giggling at her brothers

Such a happy girl!

As I was decorating Cameron's cake, he asked me: "What are you going to write on there, Mommy?"

I said, "Happy 6th birthday, Cameron!"

He responded: "You already wrote that on my cupcakes. Can you write instead....ummmmm....'My best birthday of ALL'? And then sign it, 'Cameron'. Can you do that?"

Yes. Yes, I can do that.

Making yet another wish!

We came back to the house after dinner and opened presents. 

I wanted to snap a quick picture of Cameron with his present bag before the paper started flying--

if this picture does not capture my boys' nature, I don't know what does!

A new superheroes shirt,

a Bears sweatshirt,

and a Bears coat! Which, he immediately had to model for us, of course.

Of all the pictures I took on Cameron's big day, this series has to be my favorite. All of the boys have been begging for a certain Wii game, and we gave it to Cameron for his birthday. Here is the result as he opened it, and make sure to check all three of the faces in each picture!

Discovery

Shock

Disbelief

Very excited and very loud yelling

{Love Ethan here, looking at Daddy like, "No WAY!!"}

And then, pure elation all the way around!!

I am so blessed to have such great boys in my home....

....and to be celebrating yet another year with this one in particular!

Happy birthday Cameron! We love you so very much.