"just keep swimming...just keep swimming..."

One of Kipp's patients turned us on to the "Swim Nazi" as she's known by those who have graced her backyard pool at some point over the past 38 years!!! We were fore-warned, she's a stickler on parking (apparently her HOA is pretty strict), no parents allowed (in the backyard, that is) and no lingering - get in, get out. period.

So we signed up, showed up at the time we were supposed to, parked where we were shown, I didn't try to sneak-a-peek through the locked gate and 15 days later, Kipp & I (along with all the other anxious parents) were allowed to the final class for a showing of all they learned.

Getting her ring off the bottom step... she picked blue, of course!

"Goin' crocodile hunting!" Mrs. Margaret, along with her assistant, Jacob each had toy crocodile's that the kiddos had to swim towards & "catch".

She also teaches how to roll onto your back & float.

Jumping off the side and swimming to Mrs. Margaret

Then they swim to the side, where they learned how to get out on their own.

Use those elbow little girl!!!

Next, jumping off the diving board!

Aaaaaaannnnndddddd, this is where my camera battery DIED!!!! Doh! Oh well, it was fun to watch without hiding behind the camera. So proud of our little fishy!

Playin' catch-up

Here's just a few of our latest and greatest...

Here's Ryan making some of her funny faces!

Kella being 'bucky beaver'!

We've been spending lots of time drawing and practicing our letters. We were having dinner at a restaurant with white butcher paper covering the tables, so we started 'practicing' our letters, by the end of dinner Kella could write an "E"! We had E's all over the table (perfect addition to the scrapbook!) So, we started practicing other letters. She had a little trouble finding the "middle" of the K, so I put a dot to help her find it, notice how big her dots are!!!

Her letters aren't always in order... but who cares! I'm so proud of her. She really works hard to learn new ones and get her name just perfect! I love that she can sign her own cards now!

Standing tall! Kipp's office manager made the girls this growth chart when Ryan was born... it's a great way to keep track AND if we ever move the board can easily come along!

One of the best things about having a 3 yr. old is finding new pics when I upload them to my computer! Apparently, Kella gets a little camera-happy when momma's not around, but what a great surprise!!! Thanks doll!!! Both pics of Ryan were taking by you-know-who!

So, I picked Kella up some new colored rubber bands since we are now able to squeeze 2 piggy tails out of her hair... this day she wanted "crazy hair" as she puts it!

I told her if she has "crazy hair" she has to make "crazy faces!"

Fun on the Fourth!

This year the weather put some minor kinks in our plans for the fourth. On Saturday, it seemed to be pretty good weather until it was time for the festivities. Heather & Chad drove up to join us in the celebration. Frisco square has an annual festival with "The Taste of Frisco", bounce houses, local artist's and all the sno-cones you can eat! But, by the time we made it to the restaurant for dinner, it literally came a down-pour.... ugh! Luckily, it turned to a mild sprinkle and we decided to stick it out and wait for the fireworks.

After getting the perfect parking spot, we waited....and waited... and waited for the sun to go down. Chad came up with a fun game to "play" while we waited.......watching the bigger puddles of water eat the smaller ones on the sunroof....Kella got the biggest kick out of it.... way to be so creative Chad!!!

Ryan's not too sure what's going on, but happy to be tagging along!

It got a little chilly once the rain stopped and we all kept thinking "I sure hope these fireworks are worth it!"

Shots taken by Kella...

Ryan actually fell asleep during the show. Don't mind the birp rag blocking the noise!

Sunday we headed across the street to our neighbors. For several weeks it has been a construction site while their pool was being built, but it's finally ready, just in time for the 4th!!! Thanks guys!!!

Our friends own AquaTerra Pools and built this paradise for our neighbors! Great design Tal!

Kella was getting a little brave and jumped to our neighbor, Chad.

Making her way to the steps...

High-fives to Kella! Great job!

Here's Ryan with our sitter Hailey. We love that she lives a few houses down AND we love her!!

The gang from Madison Drive! We (heart) our street. This has been such a great place for us. We couldn't ask for better neighbors. Thanks to April & Jim for being such great hosts!

Let's bowl, Let's bowl, Let's rock-n-roll!

Our buddy Camille & her mommy turned us on to this fab website www.kidsbowlfree.com where you search for a participating alley in your area, sign up for free passes and that IT! Every Sunday they email me daily passes for that week, you get two free passes per day per week!!!!! All you have to pay for is shoe rental.... what a great site! On those nasty, rainy days last week we took advantage, paid our $2.50 for shoes and had a great afternoon of bowling with Camille!

Here's Chloe & Ryan cheering the big girls on!

Happy Birthday DAD!

This is one of my favorite pics with my dad. So typical, softball uniform and cigarette!
This is the last birthday I got to spend with my dad, he was turning 59 on July 5, 2005. He would've been 64 today. Miss you Daddy!