Stop and Look...

My yucca plant is in full bloom - I never realized how pretty the blooms really are - especially when you bend down and look up at them...   I have had this plant for years and never taken the time to appreciate it.   Let's just say - I have finally stopped and looked at my flowers!  What a great thing!  Happy Friday!

Being Number 2....

When I think about stories I tell about my children, I often will refer to them by numbers...  and they know their number...  So I talk about 1 and 3 a lot.  Number 1 - school, sports, reading - and just cause he is my little boy....  Number 3 - just because life is never boring with her...  But my number 2 sometimes does not get the talk time the others do...
 
But for the record...  she is an awesome kid!  She is my helper.  I can always count on her to be there when I need a hand...  When it is time to eat, she does... When it is time to go to bed, she does...  Baths, likewise...  When I need a break from #3, she is there...  She loves to play office with me, and her dollies are the most educated dolls in Wheeling.  She is a talented little acrobat and soccer player and quite the artist...  She taught herself how to ride her bike on two wheels as well as pump on the swing...  And she is smart as a whip.  Her newest skill is identifying bugs - thank you very much!  She can operate my washing machine and divide an egg like a pro...

If determination was an Olympic event, she would win.  When she wants something, she practices and works at it until it happens.  I don't imagine life will always hand her what she wants, but I don't doubt for one minute that she will make her own wishes come true. 

And I know she is mine - but I sure think she is beautiful!  Her smile is infinite, and her heart is huge.  Hands down, I think she has the most beautiful hair in our family - a combination of the right color, wave, and thickness.  Her eyes are so inviting and the color is that of amber...

My life is just a better place because of her...  She wakes up happy and goes to sleep just the same...  And all the time in between - she is a joy (ok almost all the time in between)...  I am sure am blessed that she is my little girl...

Happy Flag Day!

There are many things I enjoy...  watching the flag wave is definitely one of them.  The motion of the flag in the wind gives me peace...  as does it shear presence.   Watching it makes me thankful - for our leaders, for our protectors, and for our land....  She sure is a grand old flag!

Kickball

This past year my son has fallen in love.  Not with girls mind you - they are gross to him.  But he has fallen in love with kickball.  He would play kickball 24-7 if he could...  and I am certain if there was a professional kickball association, he would aspire to be a pro.

He has downloaded the kickball rules... he has framed out a field in our yard... and he has even made up rules (as he goes along)...  he has taught Hannah to play... and he has convinced Dave and me to play...   He is even learning how to multiply when keeping score...  and has mastered a do-over....


I just love how excited he gets when it is time to play.  His smile is so big!  And when he plays - it is all out.  He finishes up all sweatty and red-faced.  He is just so very happy when he plays!  And for me, it makes running all over the field with him worth every minute.   Anyone up for a game?

Oglebay Park Swimming Pool

Some of the best times in my life have been spent at Oglebay Park Swimming Pool.  I love the place.  My parents took my sister and I swimming almost daily when we were little - the benefits of teacher parents!  Then Aimee and I would go ourselves as we got older...  When I first got married, I had my own pass and would read for hours there while my hubby played golf. 


But ever since I had my first baby seven years ago, it was not always possible for me to go to the pool with my little ones.  Call me a chicken, but trying to work out the logistics of watching them at the pool was more than I could handle.  The bathroom situation alone scared the pants off of me.  That is until now...

Noah and Hannah can swim.  Miss Sarah is safe in her little life vest.  And Oglebay installed a family bathroom.  So we are back!  On Sunday, Dave and I bought a family pass - and we went both Sunday and Monday.  We had a blast!  I can't tell you how good it felt.  Passing on this tradition with my kids...  Sharing something with them that I love.  Being on a little vacation only miles from my house.  Not being distracted by the house and things to do...  Just loving the pool.  Splashing, swimming, jumping....  Watching my hubby wince with fear of the cold water.  (Chicken!) 

Over time, things have changed all around me.  I have changed for that matter.  But really, the pool is the same.  There are no longer diving boards and the No Running signs on the concrete have been removed.  The folks at the pool let you use their chairs now... but really all else is the same as I have always remembered it.  And someday, I hope my little ones will remember it too...