Speedy Swimming in Omaha

Unlike my husband, I don't follow any sports teams, read Sports Illustrated, or log onto ESPN.com everyday. I can't remember who won the Super Bowl and generally only go to the occasional baseball game as an excuse to eat Kettle corn.

However, I am a complete Olympics Junkie. Did anyone else watch the swimming trials last night? Amazing! I nearly teared up right along with Katie Hoff when she broke the world record.
And Michael Phelps is a machine. Enough said.
Beijing is going to be awesome.

Hallelujah!

Luke is on Day #6 in underwear.

If any of you know Luke, or at least have some inkling of his "spirited" personality from reading this blog, than you know how HUGE this is.

I never thought I'd see the day when I'd say goodbye to diapers (well, almost goodbye. Still working on getting through the night, but that's okay).

I'm so happy I could cry.

But instead, I'll tell you about something else that made me really happy this week (and really did make me cry, several times): The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
So clever and differently written from anything I've read lately. While the first chapter is a tad bit morbid, the story hooks you until you can't put it down. A beautiful story about the power of friendship and the human spirit.

Co-Op Do-Op

Today marked the last day of the 3 yr. old Pre-school Co-op that Ethan participated in this year. Overall it was a great experience, with benefits beyond the obvious fact that it was free and it gave me one less kid at the grocery store. I think it's helped Ethan really blossom socially and taught him all about topics I would've never thought to teach him about. I'm amazed at the creativity of these talented Moms. I think I even surprised myself on a few occasions by really having fun with some of the lesson I've taught. Last week I laughed hysterically when I helped the kids fill out an "All About Dad" questionnaire for Father's Day. One child told me that Dad "plays computer games all day" at work and another told me loves his Dad because he "gives hugs like a teddy bear." Only one child correctly named his Father's age (all the other Dad's were deemed to be 3 or a ?). Here's Ethan's:
These baseball lacing cards about gave me carpel tunnel to prepare, but the kids seemed to enjoy this "sewing" project.
Here's the whole group today at Kelly's house. She was brave enough to try and get them all to smile nice for an end of the year picture.
And then she let them stick out their tongues.

Dinner Guests?

For those of you that remember this, you'll be happy to know that he and Luke are still a match made in heaven. Our six dollars were not in vain.

Appropriately enough, the monstrocity dines on chunks of meat (although chicken does seem a tad bit tame for this creature). He was not nearly as interested in the jasmine rice or stir-fried vegetables. Luckily Luke still eats "people-food."

I don't know about you, but a plastic figurine that looks like it's about to eat me for it's dinner kind of makes me lose my appetite, but to each his own.

If Life Gives You Lemons

Make Lemonade!
Squeeze enough juice from lemons to equal 1 cup (about 6 lemons)
Add 1 cup sugar (slightly less if you like it more tart)
Combine with 4 cups cold water and stir well
Enjoy!
Have a great Father's Day Weekend!

Hmph!

Today I made dinner wearing this little beauty: my new apron from Anthropologie. Just as I was starting to think I was looking pretty great, Luke walked in, and just stared at me, completely dumbfounded.

"Mom, you look SO funny. Why you wearing that?!" he asks, then dissolves into a fit of uncontrollable giggling and pointing at me, as if I'm some sort of spectacle at the circus.

Humbled yet again by my 2-year-old,
(who lacks all sense of style & taste, I must add).

Batter Up!

Will's city league softball team is in the play-off's so the boys and I went to support last night. It was an exciting game where they came back at the end to tie the first place team.

Here's Ethan watching Daddy hit a double!

This is what Luke thought about Daddy's awesome catch in the outfield . . .

In the dugoutEthan was conducting a little game of his own on the side . . .

What We've Been Up To

For lack of a more creative idea, here's some general updates:

Luke:

• Perfecting his ever-expanding repertoire of animal nosies (did you know zebras make a high-pitched keening noise? Neither did we.)
• Still refusing to get his haircut.
• Challenging me daily by refusing to use the potty, but continually taking off his diaper as well . . . ugh!

Ethan:

• Continues with the tape projects, adding other elements like plastic straws, curl ribbon, paper cups, shoe boxes, junk mail, you-name-it.
  
• Gets frustrated when his "vision" for a project doesn't exactly pan out, like the "chocolate milk factory" he wanted me to build yesterday
• Starts swim lessons on the 23rd!

Audra:

• On the lookout for new bedding. After nearly eight years of our solid cream matelasse I'm ready for some color!
• Cards, cards & more cards! I was asked to head-up a portion of the service project for our Stake's Women's Conference last weekend. My job was to design a card to accompany 550 white receiving blankets that will go to neo-natal units at local hospitals, and then prepare the materials for assembly at the conference. It was a quite a learning experience for me in handling a project of this scope. Thanks to a small army of volunteers everything went smoothly and they turned out beautiful. Here's some pictures of the women at work.

Will:

• Continues playing on a city league softball team and a pick-up volleyball team.
• Bought some new running shoes and is training for the mini-Triathlon sponsored by our Stake on the 4th of July. There is a family category, so I've been roped into doing the swimming portion, and he'll do the running & biking. This could be really fun, or just a really good reminder of how out of shape we've become!