Summer Clothes Swim Test

This is Maddox's last week in swim lessons, so yesterday he swam in summer clothes. It makes a lot of sense to train kiddos to survive in the water in their regular clothes and shoes because they might not always be in swim gear if they fall in the water.

Video 1: This was the first time Maddox had ever been asked to jump into the water and he loved it! I love that he is being taught to jump in without relying on anyone to catch him. Please disregard my cackle; I was just really excited for him.

Video 2: First, you'll see Maddox being trained to swim to the stairs. Then he does a "popsicle" simulating and feet-first fall into water. Then Maddox is flipped over into the water. He has been trained with all kinds of entries into the water, some of which can be very disorienting, but he always manages to turn over and float.

Video 3: Conrad helps Maddox simulate a fall from the edge of the pool. Then he goes for the kicker. I must admit that watching Maddox go through these classes is not for the faint of heart. There have been many moments when I have had to restrain myself from climbing in the water and rescuing my baby from the evil torturer! This one topped the chart of heart-stopping moments for me; I actually started crying. However freaked out I was, Maddox couldn't have cared less and he handled it like a pro!

This afternoon, Mad will swim in winter clothes, so I'll post some highlights soon!

Hotter Than Satan's Armpit

It's been a tad warm around here, to say the least. With temperatures in the 90's, we've been staying cool by playing in the water and eating popsicles!

This is a picture of Maddox climbing the new attic access ladder that Ted and Jeff installed. (I didn't take this picture. I was out of the house. I'm choosing to live in my happy little world and assume that Mad was 100% safe while climbing up to the ceiling.) Take a close look because that could easily be a picture of a toddler Jeff! Except he would be wearing something from the 70's.This has to be the only sport combining rollerskates and Star Wars blasters. This Roller Jedi's mommy makes him wear a helmet. I'm sure the other Jedi's made fun of him, but too bad.

Maddox and his friend, Parker after swim lessons.

Who Knew He Could Read?!

This afternoon, Maddox found a novel that was laying on the couch and opened it to read it. He ran his finger under the text and looked intently at the page. When I asked him what it said, this was what he read...

"The Bible says God helps us. Gives us bowling balls. I live in California. No more monkeys jumping on the bed."

I couldn't agree more.

Hog's, Lamb and Ham

So I didn't post the whole time Mandy, Ted and the kids were here, and now I am suffering the consequences! I think this post has about 30 pictures!


The Hoggard's came into town for a week-long visit and we never stopped to breathe while they were here. We had such a great time! Here's a small taste of our week...


Evan is 9 months old and crawling everywhere!!

Abby is 6 years old and generally does not dress like a milk maid. This was just the exception.

Nolan is 9 years old and spent a lot of time being a great big cousin and riding Maddox around on his scooter. (Yes, Mandy is the good parent who makes her child wear a helmet.)

One happy fat baby!

Jeff and Ted got a little time to show off their frisbee skills.

One night when they were here, Mandy and I made a Passover Feast for the whole family, complete with all the symbolic foods on the Seder plate. At the feast, we told the story of the Passover and the Israelites fleeing Egyptian captivity. Each of the traditional foods on the Seder plate represents an aspect of the story. Then we tied it all together by explaining to the kids that Jesus is our Passover Lamb! We told them about Jesus being in Jerusalem (when He was arrested and crucified) to celebrate Passover, and that it was at this feast that He instituted the Lord's Supper.

It was a great lesson about our heritage, and I think the kids really got it! I think this is going to be a new tradition in our family! But, I'll have to work on roasting lamb, because it was not my favorite.

The Seder Plate

Maddox and Aunt Teri washing their hands before the Passover feast.

Jeff trying the sweet herbs dipped in salt water.

Abby's was a little wary of the whole thing, but she was a good sport.

Alicia and Jeff sampling the bitter herbs.

Baby Evan loves Passover!!

The next day, we celebrated Easter with a little bit of bunny baskets, egg dying and chocolate eating. Not to mention the ham.

(Sorry these photos are so washed out. I'm not sure why my camera does this sometimes,)

Mammaw and Pappaw with their great-grandbabies.

Aunt Teri and Madman.

This was Maddox's first time dying Easter eggs and he loved every bit of it. Any time that making a huge mess is actually acceptable is a good time in his book.

All of Mad's eggs turned out dirty brown because he dunked them in every single color on the table.

Off for a little egg hunting...

We had a fabulous time and we can't wait to see the Hoggard's again in a few months! Check out Mandy's blog to see their pictures from the trip.

T Minus 30-ish Hours

The Hoggard's will be here in about 30 hours!!! I can't wait!!!! Off to clean my bathrooms...