He's Got a Thing for Drawers.

"I Swimming"

Swim lessons are so much more fun this year because Maddox is such a ham. Mr. Conrad's challenge is going to be getting Maddox to stop talking long enough to swim.

Between telling Conrad about a bird he saw in a tree and yelling to Aunt Kelly to watch him, Maddox actually got a little swimming in yesterday...

3 Days Down...

Last spring, Maddox was barely a year old when he started ISR lessons. Within three weeks, he could float on his back completely unassisted. Quite literally, Maddox could swim before he could walk. (See this post and this post for videos from last year.)

Here we are 3 days into his second season of ISR lessons. Maddox and Mr. Conrad have mostly been reviewing breath control and wall work, but it won't be long before they really get into the nitty-gritty again! As usual, I'll keep you posted!

Diaper Free Zone

Just thought you would like to know that we are officially diaper-free! Maddox now regularly introduces himself to people by saying, "Hi. I'm Maddox. I don't wear diapers anymore." The kid airs his business to anybody!

Yep, those are his under-britches on his head.

Preacher Man to Marine

Mad has had the preacher man haircut since he first grew hair, so we thought it might be time for a change. Plus, short hair makes swim lessons so much easier when he's in the pool every single day.

So, yesterday we had Becky buzz Maddox's head. Hmmmmmm. All I can say is ... it will grow fast. I really miss my little preacher.

Good Help is Hard to Find

You know, you think you've done the right thing by popping in a movie and letting the electronic babysitter take over so you can take a shower. After all, when has the TV ever failed you before? But then, you notice how quiet it has gotten, so you peek in to discover that the electronic babysitter you trusted so much allowed your son to do something like this...
What's a mother to do?

Here We Go Again...

It's that time of year again! In just a few short weeks the weather will be warm and beautiful and summer will be upon us. Around here, summer days are spent in the pool. And you know what that means ... sunscreen, hats, and Infant Swim Resource!!!

It's been a whole year since Maddox learned how to survive in the water! I have enrolled Maddox in a refresher course for the survival swim program that we love so much. Classes start this coming Monday, so be prepared for some serious swim-related posts!

Sad and Pathetic

Today I told Maddox that his toy wouldn't work because it didn't have batteries. Anyone wondering where I shop for all my household needs?

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

This is what happens when Daddy is in charge of freezing juice into popsicles and he can't seem to locate all the tupperware popsicle sticks. Look closely, you'll see a teaspoon, a spork, and a dinosaur.

Meet Fishy

I am proud to introduce the newest member of the Kreil family ... Fishy!

Our friend Tracy threw an "undersea" themed party for her son, Gibson's second birthday. The party favors were real live beta fish! (She throws much cooler parties than I do! I think I should have t-shirts printed that say, "I went to Maddox's birthday and all I got were these lousy pancakes.")

Anyway, Fishy and I have become fast friends, which is saying a lot because I don't like fish. I had an unfortunate fish chasing incident while snorkeling in Maui, and my relationship with fish has been questionable at best ever since.

But I have decided to give Fishy a fair shake and not hold him responsible for his fish-friend's behavior all those years ago. However, let the record show that if Fishy ever gets excited and jumps out of his little bowl, he will stay right where he landed and die, because I will not be touching him.

For now, we welcome little Fishy's arrival. Maddox loves feeding him and watching him swim around, so I guess that's enough to get little Fishy on my good side.

2 Years of Maddox

It's hard for me to believe that Maddox is already two years old! He is such a joy to be around, and Jeff and I are honored to have the privilege of being his Daddy and Mommy!

The birthday festivities started earlier in the week when Maddox received a gift from Marmie and Daddoo in the mail. We have barely been able to pry the light sabre from his hand since...

On Saturday morning, we invited a few of Maddox's friends over for a birthday breakfast of banana pancakes and chocolate chip pancakes. It was really cute and Maddox had a good time playing with his friends...

Later that day, after a nice long nap for the birthday boy, we had grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins over for dinner and cupcakes...

It was a pretty fantastic birthday for a pretty fantastic kid!