Parker Swim Lessons

The kids really enjoyed taking swim lessons. I do have to say that the pool did improve on the second session we were in verses the first. Parker advanced from the first session to level 3 and there were 10 kids in his class. So it was a large class, but the teacher seemed to handle the kids well and had a helper most of the time. Parker did not pass level 3 so he will be repeating it the next time we take lessons. Which is okay. The Exit skills he needed to pass were: 1. Jump into deep water from the side, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds, and swimm elementary backstroke for 15 yards. 2. Swim sidestroke for 15 yards. 3. Demonstrate proper breathing motions for 30 seconds. Parker could only do the sidestroked, and I wasn't quite sure he could really do that. I think the were being generous. The thing that Parker could really do well was go off the diving board. He seemed to do that more than any other kid in his class. At least by the end of the week he was able to swim (doggie paddle)to the side without the teacher giving him a push. I think for the most part he had fun and was able to get a little more comforatble in the water. It will be good for him to practice what he has learned and hopefully be able to pass level 3 the next time we take lessons.

If He Survives His Brother

I sure hope that Paxten survies hiss brother. I always wanted an older brother when I was growing up, you know the older sibling to look out for you at school and the one with all the cute friends that you could date. Well now that I have kids of my own and I see how mean an older brother can be, I am thinking it was probably a good thing I didn't have one. Parker can be the best older brother and is protective to a point with both Paxten and Paige. He is also a great big tease and sometimes he is relentless. To a point that I get frustrated with him. He also seems to blame things on the younger two, and usually I am smart enough to know better. Well a few weeks ago after we got home from swim lessons, the kids were playing outside while I made them lunch. It took me all of 10 minutes. Before I knew it Paige came in and said that Parker shot Paxten with his BB gun. It was a good thing Matt happened to be homw right at that moment, because I would have lost it on Parker for shooting my baby!! There was a significant welt on Paxten's belly and it was obvious that he shot him point blank. Parker says that Paxten walked in front of him, but the welt says otherwise. So Parker got his gun taken away for a few years, until he can be better at following the rules and obeying gun saftey. I had no idea he was outside using his gun! That was rule number one, not to use the gun unless a parent it helping you. Rule number two was to wear saftey glasses, which he did not have on. And rule number 3 was to watch out for people around you so you don't hit them. So he disobeyed all of the rules!! The little stinker!! He is lucky that he dad was around and handled the situation or he might have had a welt on his behind!! I am glad that it was just an airsoft BB gun and that it didn't hit him in the face. I sure hope Paxten survives his older brother!!

My Little Wandering Child

As many of you know my little girl has a bad habit of wandering away from me and getting herself lost. She is an independant soul and sometimes that is not a good thing. 2 Christmas's ago, she got lost in Walmart and we had to do a "code Adam" and have the associates help me find her. That time I was more worried than she was and she didn't even shed a tear, although I was close to it. Also 2 years ago at our family reunion at Heise she wandered away from the camp ground and I was mortified I would find her floating in the river, luckily a good man heard us calling for her and noticed her wandering and brought her back to us! (there are still good people in this world, thank goodness!). And this summer she has wandered off to the nighbors a couple of times without telling me, each time I get panicked and of course think the worst! Well that little stinker has done it once again!! I think I am going to have to get a leash for her and attach her to me when we go out in public, would I get in trouble for that??? We went to Walmart yesterday and once again she wasn't right behind me like I thought she was, I went back to where we had been to get her and she was no where to be seen. I looked up and down the aisles next to where we had been and no sight of her. Great! So I went to customer service and once again they had to do "code Adam". I gave the description of her and what she was wearing, luckily I paid attention that morning! After a few minutes they had an associate on the other end say that he had found her and they were bringing her to the front of the store. She must have started running through the store when she lost sight of me because they found her clear on the opposite end of the store, no where near where I had been. Luckily she was found safe and sound and this time she had been crying and was scared about the whole situation. Maybe that is what it will take to get her to learn to stay right beside me in the store! I really wanted to spank her bum for wandering off, but I didn't. I just held her and told her it would be alright. It took her most of the day before she would tell me where she went and what happened. I guess she lost sight of me and started heading toward the other end of the store. She saw a little girl with her mommy and the lady happened to ask if she was lost and Paige said that she couldn't find me and she told the lady my name and the lady said she would help her find me. Then the walmart emplyoee found her and brought her to the front. Thank Goodness!! Things like that get me freaked out and worried, she has given me more grey hairs than I can count, and I am sure this is just the beginning. I am just glad it ended well and that I have my little girl home with me safe and sound...for now anyways!

Paxten's Naps

Paxten has been a horrible napper lately. He just doesn’t want to miss all the fun summer action and just fights taking a nap like nothing else. Some days I take a drive with him just to get him to fall asleep for a little while. Today was no exception and he fought taking a nap all afternoon. Well when it came time for dinner and he had to sit in his chair for a little while and not move, the nap won. Before I knew it I looked over at him and he was sound asleep with his head bobbing up and down. I don’t think this is the most comfortable place to take a nap, but wherever he can get one I will take it. He ended up sleeping for about an hour in his high chair. Silly little boy!! I can’t believe he is almost 18 months old. He is growing up quickly and thinks he is all grown up and loves to do things all by himself, even things he can’t quite do on his own, he still tries. He is constantly trying to keep up with Paige and Parker and doesn’t like to miss out on anything. He has been sleeping in his own bed all night long for about a week now and is doing really well. I am very excited to have my bed back to just Matt and I. Now if I can just keep him in there!

Family Reunion

We had our annual Williams reunion at Heise this year at the beginning of July and had such a fun time. I love that we still are carrying on this tradition and that we all love to get together and enjoy on another's company. I love that my cousin's kids and my kids get to know each other and look forward to seeing each other again. It is such a wonderful blessing to have such a close and loving family. We had a great time visiting and catching up with each other, swimming, golfing, miniature golfing, eating, and camping. We love going to Heise and my kids had looked forward to going for weeks. They all had a wonderful time and I am happy to report that we didn't loose any kids this year, and we didn't have any injuries either, so it was a great year!! Parker is quite the hunter, last year he caught a mole running on the ground and this year he couaght a frog in the grass. That boy is ALL BOY and love to be in nature and getting dirty. He was in HEAVEN!!! I am glad he likes to be outdoors and uses his imagination and some of that energy he has!! We look forward to the reunion each year, and miss those that aren't able to attend. This year those that were able to make it were: Roseanne & Gus Tanner & Stephanie, Alexis, and Taylor Lauren and Rhett, Macsen, and Maddoc My Mom Matt & I, Parker, Paige, and Paxten Charyn & Zander Marilyn & Val Andrea & Wacey Brooke & Chase, Marriner, & Sadie Cole Zina, Luke & Caitlan Sarah & Tim, Rachel & Kenneth, Derek, Blake, Emily, Bryce Kyle & Katie, Kolten, Kaleb, Karter, Kooper, Kylee Rebecca & Travis, Tyrell, Jadelynn, Skyler And Grandpa & Grandma Williams

Craft Day

While Matt's cousin Summer is here we (all the girls) wanted to get together and have a craft day. So last Wednesday we met at Grandma C's and did some projects. Some made pillow cases, t-shirt dresses, headbands and these fun kids mats. Tara, Kerry, and I mostly worked on the kids mats to get ready to take to Disneyland. They are a mat, made out of fabric that folds into thirds and holds 3 cars. It rolls up and ties for east storage. We thought these would be perfect for the kids while on the airplane and to play with in the hotel room. So the ones we did are made out of Cars material and they have 3 pockets to fit 3 Cars cars in. We are going to get together tomorrow to make the girl one that will be princess fabric to hold little princess dolls. They turned out so cute and I know that Paxten and Parker with love them! Yay for craft days!! and Yay for getting projects accomplished!

Ross Park

We love the swim park that is pretty close to us and unfortunately I haven't taken the kids for a few years, I have been hesitant to take 3 kids by myelf, and the summer is a really busy time for Matt, so it is almost impossible for him to go with us. Well Matt's cousin Summer is here visiting from Texas and we all decided it would be fun to go to Ross park with the kids and swim and play. I decided it would be easier with the help of Grandma Kerry and Aunt Tara. So we went and had such a great time! The kids all absolutely loved it and swam like little fish, the didn't hesitate in the water at all, so I guess the lessons are helping in the that aspect of swimming. We stayed for almost 4 1/2 hours and the time flew by. The kids were worn out by the time we left, but immediately wanted to know when we could go back. It was a great day to spend with the Keller side of the family!