Up a reading level!

Reading a book

Eli moved up a reading level in school, as did Miranda.

Swim Meet

Parker did a swim meet today. It was his first real one where they had officials and each kid had to swim five events. He did a relay last year, but it was super informal.

He swam a 50 freestyle, 25 butterfly, 25 backstroke, 25 breast stroke and 100 IM (all of them together).

He did ok on free and butterfly, not so great on breast, and really good on backstroke. He even won his heat of other kids 8 and under.  He got disqualified on the IM for not touching with both hands on his transition from butterfly to back. He knew it. Lots of kids were DQ'd today. The coaches said the officials were super picky and strict.

Parker seemed a little bored a first, but after he the got the ribbon for winning his heat, he was pretty into it.

I hated the whole thing. It was 6 hours of sitting around for about 5 total minutes of swimming. It was crowded with obnoxious kids and pushy parents.  It was cold and then hot.  I've wanted Parker to keep swimming since he does seem pretty good at it, but I just can't do too many of these meets. They are life -sucking.

Waiting at the beginning after warming up. He warmed up for 15 minutes and then sat there for an hour.

Race results

All the god dam parents.

Starting his 50 free.

More results

Starting his 25 fly

Flying!

Waiting to start 25 back

Pushed off!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

All the kids write their event, heat and lane assignments on their arms. Parker added his times and places too.

Ready for 25 breast.

Pig Latin

Parker has started speaking pig latin.  He does it very fast. I can usually understand what he is saying, but can't respond. Sort of like french.

A few minutes ago, he just said esusjay as a response to Miranda doing something annoying.

Icenay.

Pod children?

There have been some strange happenings over here Chez Long.  It all started when Parker decided that the best way for me to say "yes" to letting him play wii in the morning was if he got everything else done.  Everything else means eat breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed, practice piano, finish any homework, get backpack ready and locate a jacket.  Then I give them their lunches and they are good to go.  So this one morning, Parker comes into my room at 7am saying he is ready and done everything.  I told him great, I'll go make his lunch. He says, I made it. Huh?  Really? Can I see. So he brings it to me and sure enough it has a sandwich, fruit, crackers and granola bar.  All in tupperware containers.  I was impressive.  So then he asks, "Can I play wii?"  How could I say no?

So I go downstairs and I see that Elizabeth and Miranda have also made their lunches. I inspect them and they are both good. One protein, one fruit, one crunchy thing and an other (another fruit or snack or granola bar).

And all week, they kept doing it.  On day 3, Elizabeth even emptied the dishwasher for me without me even asking. There she was standing on a chair trying to reach the place where the adult plates go.

And then on Friday, Elizabeth and Miranda made their beds as seen below.  Now, I can take credit for having them know how to make their lunches as I have involved them from time to time in this task and they have been picking their lunch items for about 2 months now.  And I've taught Elizabeth how to unload the dishwasher  so I get that.  But I've never, ever taught them how to make their beds. I never make mine. I think it's silly. It just gets messed up again.

Anyway, it was a interesting week.  If it continues, I'll need to get a paying job.

Oh boy.

I'm used to finding papers like this all over the house but Parker didn't do this one...

Cat Nip

Yesterday, I got a little water foundation thing for Zeke at the pet store.  His drinking from the bath tub was getting ridiculous.  I also picked up some cat nip.

This morning, I called Miranda over and we made a little cat nip sock toy for Zeke which he immediately went crazy over.

Then I heard Miranda say the following to Elizabeth:

Elizabeth did you know that I learned how to make cat nip?

Mommy got some of the nip and then we found an old sock. We poured the nip into the sock and tied it up. And we got cat nip!  Then we gave the cat nip to Zeke!  Isn't that cool?

what I overheard this morning

Elizabeth: Miranda can I talk to you for a moment?

Miranda: Sure

Elizabeth; Come in here and sit on your bed so we can talk.

Miranda: ok

Elizabeth:  I see that you have been wearing your jelly belly handband a lot lately and I'd really like a chance to wear it. Can I wear it soon?

Miranda: Well...I really like wearing handbands but maybe I can find another headband so you can have a turn with this one.

Elizabeth: Ok. Thanks.



And then she did and both were happy.

Can you fucking believe that?

Miranda's recent writing assignment

Feeling:                When it happens:


Hurt                     When you fall

Mad                     Siblings tack your toys

Sad                      When your pet dies

Happy                 When your mom givs you a Spris

Parker's Recital

Recital Practice

Adventure Day Continues

We topped off our day of rock climbing and trampolining with a stay at a hotel in fairfield.  I picked this hotel because it was free (used miles), had a free dinner and a free full hot breakfast.  And it had an indoor pool and hot tub.   We had the pool all to ourselves.  The dinner was soup and salad which would have been fine for me and the girls, but Parker needed some more so we drove 5 min away so he could have something at Denny's.

After lots of sleeping location negotiations they all slept well and then swam again in the morning after a good breakfast.  Then we did a quick tour at the Jelly Belly Factory (leaving only with the freebees) and drove home.

Jump highway

Rock city rocked

Went out to mt diablo today to climb some rocks. Good old fashion fun.

Weekday Co-op

Two moms in our babysitting co-op needed someone to watch their boys yesterday since school is out this week.  I offered, but then immediately got nervous about how I was going to entertain 4 boys all day without letting them play video games for hours and hours.  My neighbor suggested we take them all to this rock climbing area in Danville called Rock City. It looked perfect.  But then, it was forecast to rain the entire day so we had to go with plan B. I took them all to Lawrence Hall of Science. I wasn't sure if 12 year olds would still like it, but they all had a great time, ate the home made lunch I brought for them, and got along very well.  Except for the part when Parker got sad he couldn't do the rock climbing wall, it was a good day and I earned enough coupons to have four date nights!