Buzz Cut

It took me until almost the end of summer to do it, but I finally got Drew's hair buzzed. I was afraid I wasn't going to like it, and with the wedding a couple weekends ago I wanted to wait. So, today I finally had it cut.

I love it! How handsome does he look?

Pool Pictures

Here are some shots from our day at the pool. Check out these bathing beauties.





...sometimes known as the Three Stooges :)



Immediately after I took this last picture Drew stood up and jumped into the water. I set the camera down and went to jump in after him. As I approached the water I noticed he had jumped out, spun around underwater and was swimming back towards the wall. I never even got in the water to fetch him. Amazing I tell ya. The boy has gills!

Here is Drew getting ready to go off the board. ...major series of shots below...














Finally a couple slide shots.




Scary, huh? And then look at what Drew does as soon as he hits the water. He spins around and swims AWAY from you. He certainly keeps us on our toes. Being at the pool these days is MUCH harder than it was at the beginning of the summer.

Izzy-n-Drew Diving Board & Slide

Here is a video clip of both Izzy and Drew going off the diving board at our pool.

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And here they are going down the slide.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I think Drew will be swimming unassisted within the next two weeks. It is shocking how after just two days of going off the board and down the slide he is already becoming more comfortable in the water. He is full of confidence and surprisingly eager to "learn" to swim.

"Mom Catch Me. Underpants!!!"

This evening Drew went off the diving board at the pool without wearing his vest. As he approached the end of the platform he yelled, "Mom, catch me. UNDERPANTS!!!" I have no idea why this is what he chose to say, but it sure was funny. He has been off the board two or three times before, but always wearing his vest. Our new pool manager does not allow the kids to go down the slide or off the board with vests on, so if he wanted to hang with Izzy and Rylie then he had to take it off.

Let me say that I honestly didn't think he would do it. A couple times over the past few weeks he has said he wanted to go off the board and when I told him to take off his vest, he would, but as soon as he got to the end of the platform he would change his mind. Tonight he took the plunge, literally. As I realized he was going to go through with jumping, my heart dropped. I suddenly got very scared because I wasn't sure how deep he would sink, and how quickly he would surface? Heck, I wasn't sure if I was going to have to dive down to pull him up? Thankfully he jump, and then popped back up. With the girls I grab them, let them catch their breath and then push them towards the wall. They are perfectly capable of swimming on their own the short distance. Well, Drew was not happy when I didn't catch and release him as I do with the girls. Somehow I didn't think tough love was the route to go with this lesson.

I thought I would share a couple pictures of other things that occur on our daily pool outings. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get Drew going off the board, but hopefully with Pete around this weekend we will get it on both video and in pictures!

Eating shaved ice.




Playing on the playground.


The obvious...swimming.




The fun doesn't end when we leave the pool. We get to walk/run/race home.

(notice the kids are in pj's...they get bathed in the outdoor showers, and then once we are home they get a snack, a show, books and are put to bed! bliss!)

I do love our summer days here in the 'boro, and will miss them SO much once we move.

Drew loves to bust a move.

Anywhere.

Anyplace.

These aren't his best moves, but will provide you with his "style". He likes to punch, kick, and shuffle. Crazy kid.

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The video and the next couple pictures are from the wedding we just attended in Baltimore this past weekend. The first two pictures are from a bar where the rehearsal dinner was held, and the third picture is at the wedding reception.

It's A Good Thing He's Cute!

Izzy had a couple friends over today and they were discussing the various sizes of tv screens. The statements all went along the lines of this: ____ has the biggest screen I've ever seen.

Drew approaches me in the kitchen where I am making lunch and says ever so serious, "Mama. You have the biggest butt I ever seen!"

Thanks kid.

**************************************

This evening at the pool Izzy, Rylie, Delaney and Drew are all having a snack. The girls are sitting on the ground, while Drew is standing. Drew drops a raisin and then stoops down to pick it up. I say, "Go ahead, you can eat it. Heck, it probably fell out of your mouth."

Drew says, "Or maybe it fell out of my butt!" ...are you done laughing? He even drew out the word butt so it was more like "buuuuuhuuuutt".

Of course all the girls busted up laughing. ...and Stephanie (Rylie's mom) couldn't hide her laughter either. I didn't know who to be more upset with, Drew or Stephanie? I will admit that as inappropriate as it was, it was funny because it was so unexpected...yet so very boy.

Breathe In...Breathe Out

Things are so incredibly hectic over here that my head might explode. Do you ever have so much to do that you just don't want to do any of it? You don't know where to start because the list is endless? If so, then that is how I feel.

Pete is now working the Charleston territory which leaves me and the kiddos to hold the fort down. Well, this fort needs a lot of work! ...things need to be fixed, cleaned and organized. It should have been on the market already! I can't get the house clean enough to even have a cleaning lady come in!!!! Do you know how bad that is? Bad. Help!

While trying to get the house in order, we have also been doing an insane amount of travelling the last few weeks. With all the fun has also come some very overtired kids which makes for a moody mama. Help! Things are beginning to look up though. Since returning from Baltimore two nights ago, the kids have slept over 12 hours both nights and have better attitudes.

Right now I should be wiping down blinds and baseboards in the playroom. Want to know what I am doing? Baking brownies. Want to know why I am making them? I am telling myself it is for Izzy and the friends she is having over tomorrow. The real reason however, is that I wanted to eat some brownie batter and am procrastinating.

Off to watch NYC Prep...instead of what I should be doing.

A Few to Hold You Over

...and yes, that would be lollipops while in pj's. ...maybe 9 am or so?


...she's got the look


...water fun!


...I was just impressed with the quality of my camera and this shot :)


...yummy ice-cream after our kiddie park playdate!

Get Over It

I realize everyone has their panties all in a bunch, but give me a break! The kids and I left last Wednesday to go to Ohio. We got back late Monday night (then went to the pool) and have been on.the.go. ever since ;)

Yesterday Izzy had camp and Drew and I tried to clean up this pit of a house we are living in. Did I mention that while the kids and I were in Ohio, Pete and some workers were feverishly getting our house ready to list? There is so much dust, molding bits and pieces, and just general contracting crap around that cleaning is really pointless. Last night we had our friends who moved to Buffalo a few months ago join us at the pool. We had such a great time visiting with them! The husbands were there as well and we all had a really nice time.

This morning the kids and I headed to a kiddie amusement park, then out for ice-cream. We left the house this morning at 9:30 and just got back at 3:30. The kids are chillin and I am typing this.

At 5 I have a cut/color appointment and then tomorrow we leave for Baltimore!!!

I have lots of pictures to share, but not nearly enough time to post them now. Heck, I don't think it will get done before we return from Baltimore.

I am REALLY looking forward to our weekend getaway though. We are staying at a great hotel, with lots of family and friends! One of my most favorite cousins is getting married, and two of her sisters have had baby boys in the last 6 months and I can't wait to get my hands all over them :)

Til I return~