Spaghetti!

A visit from a friend

Our friend Allegra came over while her mommy got to have some pampering time. Tommy was at his zoo docent training and the weather was crummy so it was nice to have a playmate come over to help break up the monotony of the day.

It is so fun to watch how the kids interact. Allegra was pretty shy at the start but when the snacks came out she warmed right up. I think she liked sitting at the blue table like a big girl. Steven definitely liked showing off in front of her! What a camera ham!

My son flatters me

At lunch today Steven said to me "Mommy, you look like cinderella." Hum, I thought, my jeans, ponytail and sweatshirt don't really say cinderella to me.

He was looking at our wedding protrait on the wall across from his seat at the table. Melt my heart.

What a difference 6:52 can make!

Our kids slept until 6:52 this morning! Yahoo! It was almost like a real Sunday morning is supposed to be!

Lounge Lizards

My family of loungers ... Lyla has such a different personality than Steven. She is much more laid back even when she wears his hand-me-down PJs! Steven would have never just laid on the couch to watch a show before bedtime. But Lyla, well, she's as content as can be lounging on the couch or playing by herself.

Swimming Lessons

Our first swimming lesson was today! My bet was that Steven was going to totally freak out and throw a fit when we got in the pool. For Lyla, I thought she would love it and just splash around like a fish.


I was half right on both of them.

Lyla got right in the pool with Tom but Steven stayed with me on the pool deck. I didn't want to push him because I wasn't about to create a permanent scar. Eventually I coaxed Steven onto the edge, then sat him in the gutter then I was able to jump in and bring him in, too. All the while Lyla was starting to get very fussy and unhappy about being in the pool with her daddy. She was probably getting cold.

Overall the lesson was a win! Steven got in the water and Lyla liked it for the most part! It sure is amazing though how long it takes to get them ready to get in the pool and then get them ready to go home. I think we spend more time in locker rooms than in the water!

Two Step

Lyla took her first steps at the Fish Fry tonight! Well, at least the first steps that her mommy saw!

Tommy had just got done telling me that she climb up him earlier in the day, let go, raised her arms over her head for balance and stood there for a few seconds. Now she is bold enough to take steps!

Watch out world!

Gainfully Employed!

Please join me in congratulating my husband on his new job!!!!

Tommy is now a full-time associate with Kauffman Scholars, Inc. This is the same program for disadvantaged youth that he has been substitute teaching with over the last year or so. They had an opening for an academic position on the Kansas City, Kansas side come available in the last month, offered him an interview and hired him just last week!

The prospects for teaching positions in our area is bleak - most districts are cutting back and laying off existing staff (not renewing contracts). What a blessing to have this job just fall in to place for Tommy!

We are all excited for him and the new possibilities presented by this position!