Thursday, July 30, 2009

The Circus

The Circus came to town yesterday. All summer it has been cool and comfortable. Well the Circus came to town and it was hot and humid. The good news it was overcast most of the day so it could have been much worse. Before swim lesson the boys and I took a pit stop at the park where the circus was being held to see what we could see as far as the set up. We didn't see much as usual but after lessons when we went back we were able to see the elephants, tigers, horses and ponies. Matt took a half day off to join us at the 4:30 show. The show is about 2 hours with a intermission so going to the 7:30 show was out of the question. The circus people like to charge $4 each for a box of popcorn and pop so I brought my own. When we arrived we always look to sit at the top of the bleachers so we have a "back" and they usually hike up the tent so we can also get any cool breeze that might come our way. The first set of bleachers was pretty packed so we went to the second set and found a seat. We should have kept going because the 2nd set was a little different from all the rest because it was much steeper and not much leg room. I had Tommy on my lap while Matt had Patrick at times with John and James in the middle. The show starts and the clowns come out and Tommy is starting to cry. I think he was startled by the noise and how loud the music and announcer was but after I opened a bag of cheetos for him he settled down. Patrick apparently at some point I think near the intermission wanted to leave. I think he was hot and hungry and maybe a little bored. It got worse for Patrick as intermission was over and the circus began again as he was crying and voicing his displeasure very loudly. Unfortunately we were well trapped in the bleachers and I didn't want to make everyone move so he and I (and of course Tommy would have to come to) could leave. Luckily the show after the intermission wasn't very long and we were off to grab some fast food for dinner. The best part of the circus for me was in the beginning. The man is balancing on boards high up after he finishes James tells us that he is doing his fancy dance!!

And finally - yesterday I bought two books at the Dollar Store for John - one was a book about Presidents and the other was about the World. The World book shows the different contienents and countries. It talks about the language spoken and how many people live on it. John asked me this morning if Santa lived in the Artic. I said yes. John replied well the book said no people live there and Santa is a people. I said well they must be misinformed.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Fancy Dance!

James has developed a dance which I think might be inspired by watching hours of Dancing With the Stars. He has called the dance his "fancy dance". When swimming lessons started I told his instructor to ask him to show her because I thought it would make James feel a little more comfortable with his new surroundings. Well the teacher and other life guards loved it! Apparently they liked it so much recently when they were out on the town having a good time ond lifeguard jumped up on the bar and yelled "Fancy Dance" and all the lifeguards who where hanging out did the dance - including the knee knocking. I captured this video early in the summer of James and his fancy dance. So if you are in Lake County and someone is doing the "fancy dance" it was James Keough who created the dance!


Thursday, July 23, 2009

Time is flying

I can't believe how fast this month and particularly this week has gone. It has been nice to have life after baseball and t-ball. This week the boys (John and James) started practice for Willowick's Swim Show. They do a little dance in and out of the water. It is really neat when it all comes together. I'm hoping Patrick and Tommy will behave the night of the show as it is a LONG wait before it starts. I guess if the snacks keep coming there are no worries.

John is continuing to do well with swimming. His teacher told me on Tuesday that if he keeps swimming like he has in this level (a whole 1 1/2 weeks) he will move up again! As well as he is doing I think it won't be until next year. I think he has to swim half the pool without stopping and I don't think he has the endurance just yet.

Meanwhile in Level 1, James continues to entertain his teacher and the other lifeguards. I had his teacher ask James to do his "fancy dance" which they loved. Then on Tuesday out of nowhere he does an air guitar and sings "Life is a Highway" from Cars. They were rolling! Yesterday he was singing "Highway Patrol" which I'm sure they never heard of.

Today while we were at our weekly trip to Target, I bought the boys their bookbags for school. James was really excited and Patrick really wanted one. We picked up a few supplies. I'm in no rush - I would like to have James' list and take care of them both at the same time. I hope the zippers on the bags hold out. John's one zipper fell apart the 2nd week of school.

I don't know why but Patrick and Tommy enjoy to go around shirtless. Anytime John and James have their shirts off because of swimming they are looking to take theirs off as well. Once they do get them off they pound their belly's and squeal (Tommy is more of the squealer)

I was so bummed last night Tommy's fake crocs strap broke. I knew Target which is where I got them didn't have many left so I just took him to Payless hoping their "Summer Sale" was really good. Apparently that didn't apply to sandals yet. Oh well I hope this pair lasts through the next month. I'm also hoping no one else's sandals have a blow out.

We had a great time in Pennsylvania last week. We hiked a lot and the weather cooperated. This was the first time we had the EZ Pass for the PA turnpike. I hope Ohio goes to that system soon - it made traveling so much easier!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

The end is near

Baseball season is over and after tonight t-ball will be over too. I survived the roller coaster ride of two kids in two different leagues with games on the same night either at the same time or back to back. We have been going in sports since late March. John and James decided not to sign up for soccer this fall. I think John is a bit burned out and James wasn't putting in that much effort so it doesn't break my heart. I'm hoping John will want to sign up for basketball. From what I understand they practice and have the games on the same day so its not an all week thing.

We are at the half way point in swimming lessons. John has passed to the 2+ level which means he now can do a front and back float and I think he will start to learn how to do a stroke. James is still doing really good for being his first year. He seems to really enjoy himself. I thinking Patrick is getting the itch to be like the boys and get in the pool however he needs to be potty trained. Sometimes he tells me and sometimes not so much. I've learned not to be in a rush with potty training - I will just keep buying the pullups!

I'm looking forward to going on a mini-vacation to my parents at the end of next week. It will be nice to get away for awhile.

Lori took the boys to the pool this afternoon. They really enjoy it. I can't wait until we all can go! I know James is going to be tired. I let him take a mini nap until 5pm and then I will spend the half hour waking him up.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Rain go away!

Summer was cruising along and going well but the rain, pardon the pund, has put a real damper on things. I think because we are not getting out often the kids are getting on each others nerves - not to mention mine! They are generally touching each other way to much not to mention their short tempers lead to flying objects. Time outs are in full swing but I don't think that is doing much good. The stress of it all is going to my back. It has been getting worse so I finally went to the chiropractor this morning. I wasn't that far out of alignment but the electric current they put on my back massages it enough to start to relax the muscle. I feel so much better already. I'm going to go back on Monday so he can finish making sure its aligned. I know I don't always bend at the knees but I have been consciously trying to do that lately.

I'm hoping we get tonight's scheduled t-ball game in. We already have 2 rainout make ups next week and John has a season ending tournment game on Monday and if they win (which I don't think they will) they play on Wednesday. I'm hoping Tuesday stays open as I have a hair appointment scheduled. I don't need a major cut but a trim would really help - not to mention a little time away!

I'm looking forward to the 4th of July. I'm hoping for a relaxing day with the kids. It would be nice if we see fireworks with them but I'm not sure if I'm up for loading sleeping kids into the car to see them. I told the older two they can stay up late - we'll see how my patience is doing when its 8:30.

I can't believe the boys wanted to go to swim lessons yesterday and today with the chillier temps. I was ok with them missing but they said they wanted to go. Luckily the pool heater was on so it kept them comfortable until they got out! Today was worse than yesterday.

Ok - I'm off to motivate the children to clean up the basement and then we all get a reward!