Championships

Case, Brody and Katy.  The best MCC swimmers!

Case and I sweating like pigs but having fun!

It's a bird. It's a plane....no it's Case Felstead jumping off the blocks!

For the past 2 nights, we have been out to Moon Valley Country Club for the championship swim meets.  It has been HOT but oh so FUN!  The first night was the qualifying night where the kids race to see who makes the top 8.  If they make the top 8, they come back for a second night where they have a chance to win a medal.  Brody chose Freestyle and Butterfly along with the 100IM for his competing strokes while Case chose Freestyle and Breaststroke.  I was a little bugged that both boys chose Freestyle simply cause EVERY kid chooses freestyle since it is the easiest stroke and the first stroke they ever learn.  Every year when we go to the championships there are only a handful who choose Backstroke so I encouraged them to choose that one, but they didn't. (I realize this is just my competitive side coming out.  After all, what Mom TELLS their kids what strokes to choose instead of LETTING them choose their favorites?)  Anyhow, Case had a tough night.  Earlier in the day he had a dermatologist appointment where he had more of his Molluscum removed.  I'm not sure if that played into the whole evening, but he was a little off. (See picture below of his strange dive off the block!) He ended up placing 24th out of 48 freestyle swimmers which is fantastic, considering he is competing against kids who are about to turn 7 (sneaky little 6 and under boys!) In breaststroke he placed 10th which put him as an alternate.  Basically he didn't qualify to go back the second night.  Brody placed 5th in freestyle and 5th in butterfly.  He rocked the house on his IM where he received a 4th place medal out of all the 7 and under boys.  AWESOME!!  The highlight of the night was the parent and coaches relays.  Once again Jeremy represented MCC in the freestyle relay where we killed it!! Our team ended up taking 2nd place but only by a hair, and I mean a thin hair!!  He swam with Kent Nicholas, Kyle Parker and Jim.  They looked great sporting their afro wigs! It was so funny!!  Can you believe Jeremy swam a 25 yard freestyle in 10.5 seconds?  That's my man!  So we headed back to Moon Valley for the second night where Brody placed 5th in his freestyle and 5th  in his butterfly. All the 6 and under breaststrokers showed up so Case didn't get to swim.  He was super upset, but a quick trip to the snack bar for a raspberry smoothie took all the pain away! What a great way to start the week!  What a great way to end the summer swim season!  

For the record: Brody 7 years old

25 yard freestyle: 24:31

25 yard butterfly: 28:43

Brody doing the backstroke in the 100IM

Case loves breaststroke!

Hmmmmm...what is with this dive?

Oh what fun it is to swim!

Kent, Jeremy, Jim and Kyle represented MCC with style!

Travels In Space

This week Ledger will travel through space at Miss Jody's super awesome preschool.  This will be his last week of summer school since we will be out of town for most of July.  He has had so much fun playing, learning and doing art this summer.  What a great experience for him.  

We love you Miss Jody!

Another golf season has come to an end.

Some of the Junior Golfers from Mesa Country Club.

Brody and the new hat he recieved at the end of the golf season.

I can't believe how fast the summer is going!  It seems like just last week we started swim team and golf, and now it is over!  Brody and Case had a great time this summer playing golf at Mesa Country Club. They loved earning ice cream for their great shots and even getting squirted with the water blaster when they weren't paying attention (Is this why they always came back from golf soaking wet?  I thought it was just the extreme heat!)  On the last day of golf, the team had hot dogs and earned awards.  Brody got a hat for being the kid who made it to the hole with the fewest hits.  Can you believe he played one hole with only 3 shots?  Amazing if you ask me! Both boys are sad that the golf season is over but they are looking forward to the golf clinic at White Mountain Country Club in July!

At 9 months...

Today Miss B. had her 9 month doctors appointment with Dr. James.  She weighs 18 pounds, is    27.3 inches long, and has a head circumference of 17.1 inches.  She is in the 32nd percentile for her weight,  35th percentile for her height and 33rd percentile for her head circumference.  She is growing perfectly!  As expected, I got reprimanded for not giving her all table food yet (did you know that babies should be eating table food at 9 months even if they only have 2 teeth in their whole mouths?) and I even got a little lecture on babies wearing necklaces (they do cause babies to strangle themselves you know!) Lucky for me she only got 1 shot (Hep B).  It's hard to believe that in 3 months I will be blogging about her 1 year appointment where she will be off the bottle, taking swim lessons, and possibly walking.  This is going waaaaay too fast!

The scale reads 18 pounds! (that's the necklace I got the lecture on!)

Nurse Belinda measuring my little lady!

Let's Bowl!

Daddy and Ledger bowling

Brody is a really good bowler.  

Case is all about how hard he can throw the ball.

Nice form Sugar!

Ledger with GG Sears and GG Pomeroy.

The birthday boy scarfing down one of Cyndi's yummy cupcakes!

Friday night we celebrated Ledger's 3rd birthday with a bowling party at the Brunswick Zone in Gilbert.  I'm not sure if I could really call it a "party" because it was only family, but he had a ball and didn't notice that there weren't a hundred people there.  He was so excited to go bowling and I was so excited not to be throwing a huge party where my house had to be clean and I had to make (or order) food.  It was simple and fun!  Ledger was beyond happy! He kept coming up to me all night with a huge smile on his face and giving me the tightest hug ever.  It was as if he knew the "party" had taken a little planning on my part and he was thanking me for it throughout the night.  It was awesome!  Everyone bowled and ate pizza and cupcakes. They even got to play games in the arcade when they were done bowling. 

 It was the best bowling birthday party ever!  I still can't believe my little man is 3!

The Best Stroke In The Known Universe

Thursday night Brody and Case had their butterfly swim meet at AZ Country Club.  They both love butterfly which is no surprise because it was always MY favorite!  They both did super!  Brody took home a 3rd place medal which was awesome.  Along with the butterfly race, they both qualified for a freestyle relay.  Both relays took first, HOORAY!  It was a super hot night (114 degrees) but a fun one for all of us!  Way to go boys!  Up next...Championships on Monday and Tuesday nights!  

Case showing off his awesome butterfly.

Brody showing off his 3rd place medal.

Brody and cousin Maci showing off their blue ribbons!

Yippee, I'm 3!

Breakfast in bed for our birthday boy!

Today is my little Ledger man's 3rd birthday.  We almost shared the same birthday, but I made him wait an extra day.  I love this kid so much!  He is funny, smart and oh so cute!  He is the snuggliest of my kids, offering up a hug or kiss to just about anyone who asks.  He is independent and head strong which can be hard at times.  One day those characteristics will pay off, but right now it is hard. Ledger is a super good swimmer.  He always has been.  For some weird reason, he doesn't need air when he swims.  We call him a Mer-Man cause he can just swim and swim without taking a breath.  It's scary!  Ledger is super smart.  He loves to count and knows most of his letters.  He is super focused on things so he learns really easily.  I think he will love going to preschool in the fall simply cause he loves to learn and be involved in things.  Speaking of preschool, his summer school class has really helped him with potty training.  He knows that if he doesn't use the potty, he can't go to summer school.  He even goes AT preschool (sorry Miss Jody!) Ledger is super cute with his baby sister.  He loves helping me change her diaper and play with her.  He want to be the first one in her room every morning when she wakes up. He gets his "Ledger" name stool and pulls it right up to her crib and changing table. He talks to her in the cutest voice and never calls her just Berkley.  It's always "Miss Berkley."  It's sweet!  Ledger has the loudest voice you've ever heard.  Even when he is just talking, it's LOUD!  We are working on that, but boy, it's been hard.  Ledger is a good eater.  He loves fruit snacks, candy, and chips. (I know, not the healthiest but they are a few of his favorites).  I love this boy for many reasons, but mostly because he is expressive in his feelings, he gives the BEST hugs, and he squeals in excitement when he is happy. 

 Happy Birthday Ledger Man!  

My interview with Ledger today on his 3rd birthday.  

M:  "What is your favorite color?"

L:  "Blue actually green."

M:  "What your favorite food?"

L:  "Cereal."

M:  "What kind?"

L: "Shoot Shoops." (Fruit Loops)

M:  "What is your favorite drink?"

L:  "Juice bops, the orange juice bops" (juice box)

M: " What is your favorite candy?"

L:  "uhhh, uhhhh sucker."

M:  "What is your favorite toy?"

L:  "Mickey mouse, baby mickey."

M:  "What do you like to do with your brothers?"

L:  "Play DS."

M:  "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

L: "Me."

M:  "What do you love best about preschool?"

L:  "Miss Jody."

M:  "Who is your best friend?"

L:  "Body (Brody). And Casers. And Miss Berkley and you and Daddy."

M:  "What do you love most about our family?"

L:   "Mommy."

M:  What do you like to do outside?"

L:  "Play outside. Go to the swing set."

M:  "Why are you excited to be 3?"

L:  "Because I go to the bowling alley."

I Know You're Jealous...

...cause I spent my birthday here today,  

with all of these people and my favorite 7 and 5 year olds (the soon to be 3 year old wanted to stay home with Tayler and Miss B. instead...whatever!) Yes I know you are all jealous that you didn't spend your 36th birthdays at Sunsplash, but you should, cause it was kinda fun!  It was hot and the water felt great!  The slides kept making my tankini bottoms fall off, which was kinda funny (especially at my old age!).  There were more tattooed men and women there then I ever thought possible. Why do people think tattoos covering their body look good? I was a little nervous going down the slides with my kids.  I worried that we would fly off them or get sucked down to the bottom of the drain.  Funny thing is, I used to worry about those same things when I would go there as a child, you know, before everyone was covered in ink! It was a great 36th birthday for me cause we ended the evening off with even more fun.  Stay tuned for that tomorrow! Until then, happy 36th birthday to me!

Case had fun trying to get across the lily pads without falling in the water.

The newest slide at Sunsplash is fun, but the line was waaaaaay too long! 

Here I am with Brody, Hunter and Coach Jeff!

Brody looooooves the Lazy River!

Giddy Up Cowboy!

It's Wild Wild West week at preschool.  Is this not the cutest little cowboy you've ever seen?  This is the happiest little cowboy I've ever seen! Yee Haaaaw!!

Around The Pool...

...these signs are hanging up.  

Although the tooth fairy made a visit, Brody is determined to find that missing tooth that sunk to the bottom of the deep end. No luck yet but he is not giving up hope.  Oh..in case you are wondering what the reward is.  Brody told all his swim team friends that he would give them $10.00 if they found his tooth.  When Sugar explained that he would be loosing out on the deal since he only got $5.oo from the tooth fairy he said, " I figured no one would look for my tooth for JUST 5 bucks!" Hmmmm...JUST 5 bucks?  Time to have another little lesson on money!

Surprise Dad!

On Friday, the kids and I surprised Jeremy with a night at the Point South Mountain (now called The Arizona Grand).  He came home from work around noon and we told him to pack his bags.  He threw in some shorts, shirts and swim suits and we headed out.  It was a weekend of sun, food, fancy drinks and fun!  We saw half of Mesa there spending the weekend with their Dad's which was fun!  We are all tan and tired but had a ball.  Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there.

We had to blind fold Jeremy so he wouldn't know where we were going.  What the heck is Brody doing in the backseat laying down?

Miss B. and Dad having fun in the cool water.

A little trip down the Lazy River was just what Ledger and Jeremy needed!

My sunkissed boys! Heaven forbid we swim without goggles on! And what is with Case and his smile?  He was half asleep all weekend.  

Berkley loved the water!

Jeremy was brave enough to go down the water slide.  It was sooo high! 

What a weekend!

9 Months

Really?  Could I possibly have a baby that is 9 months old?  Apparently time is not stopping but flying by!  WOW!  Little Miss Berkley continues to melt my heart with her huge happy smile and shiny, who knows what color they are, eyes!  She crawls everywhere and is into EVERYTHING!  She spends most of her time chasing me around the house which leads to pure frustration and crying.  It must become overwhelming to follow someone around all day only to have them move to another area before you can even get to them.  Poor thing. Half the time 

I lug her around on my hip getting nothing done! One thing she is having fun with right now is pulling herself up to everything.  She is so steady when she stands which makes me think she will be walking faster then any of my boys did.  I say bring it on.  She is getting way too dirty and scuffed up crawling all over the ground at the pool.  It's gross and unsanitary.  I say bring on the walking stage!  Her latest trick is when she reaches her arms up in the air when she wants you to pick her up.  It's funny cause she does it all day long! My poor fourth baby though.  She gets dragged from one hot swim team practice, golf lesson, swimming lesson, after another.  She spends lots of time getting in and out of my hot car.  It's not fun...for her or I!  She is a trooper though. She cat naps in her car seat when possible and takes a huge nap around 1:30 when we finally make it home.  She loves going for little dips in the pool at the club and Miss Carolyn's.  She is a water lover like the rest of my kiddos. She isn't really liking table food yet which will be a problem when she visits Dr. James next week.  I've tried giving her eggs and even beans from El Charro.  Neither went over too well. I guess I'm lucky that she loves all her baby food.  I just hope she's not a picky texture eater like me.  We'll see what happens over the next month.  No new teeth to report on yet, but she has learned how to use those sharp bottom teeth to bite.  Boy can she bite!  She just puts her head down and gets ya.  OUCH!    She still makes that funny scrunchy nosed face when you say to her, "Berkley, where's your funny face?" It makes us all laugh.  Her brothers continue to be the highlight of her days.  They play "Peek-A-Boo" with her along with hiding her under their blankies and letting her try to find her way out.  The boys think this is hilarious and she thinks it's pretty funny too!  They love her so much!  I still can't believe this little lady is mine.  She is yummy and wiggly and busy and MINE!  I love and adore her every day.  I love when I walk into her room each morning and she stands up in her crib with her binky in her mouth and starts bouncing up and down blowing air from her nose because she is so happy to see me. I am giddy with excitement when I see her face each morning.  I am in love all over.  What a great feeling!

Who is that is my dishwasher?

Sorry Berkley.  You are not old enough for a Capri-Sun yet!

Dinosaur Week

Ledger went to his second week of summer fun with Miss Jody.  It was Dinosaur week!  Oh the excitement!  It makes me happy just thinking about how much Ledger loves Miss Jody and her awesome school!  This is just what Ledger needs right now.  Something of his very own.  Something that just HE gets to do.  Dinosaur Week...it's the best!!

Swimming is a rough sport!!

This morning at swim team practice, Brody got kicked in the mouth by a mysterious person while doing breaststroke in the deep end.  That kick to the mouth knocked out one of his front teeth and sent it sinking to the bottom of the pool.  It was not a loose tooth but a tooth that was perfectly snug and happy in that mouth of his (some kick right?) The tears started flowing and the kids started searching for that tooth that sank to the bottom of the deep end.  Brody was so worried that the tooth fairy would not be able to visit and leave him treasure because she would have no tooth.  You all know the rules right?  "No tooth, No treasure!" We'll see what happens tonight but our guess is that the tooth fairy will read the note he is going to leave under his pillow and leave him a little something anyway.  Stay tuned.....

The crime scene! 

There is a front tooth at the bottom of the deep end at Mesa Country Club Pool!

A Blue Night!

Brody and his blue ribbon for the breaststroke relay.

Case and his blue ribbon for the breaststroke relay.

Thursday night, Mesa Country Club hosted the backstroke race and breaststroke relays.  Brody and Case competed in each bringing home blue ribbons in their relays and a second place ribbon in the individual backstroke for Brody and a third place ribbon for Case.  I will say that the competition is tough this year in the summer league.  Now that Brody swims in the 7 year age group and Case in the 6 and under, it is a lot harder and more competitive for them both. Case was one of 52 6 and under boys, and Brody one of 15  7 year old boys.  Poor Brody. The 7 year olds he is swimming against are waaaaay taller and bigger then he is.  He hasn't hit a growth spurt yet.  He placed 10th overall in his age group and Case was like 25th in his.  Neither got medals, which they were a little disappointed about, but a trip to El Charro with Nanny and Papa made up for it! The highlight of the night happened when we were leaving.  Case walks up with a Gatorade and says, "Look what I got Mom."  "Where did you get that Case?" I asked him.  "From the snack bar Mom.  I just told them my last name was Wood" (my Mom's last name and whose name and number we use to get drinks and snacks at the snack bar.) A little upset with him I say, "CAAAAASE, your last name is not Wood!" With the most shocked and confused look he says, "It's NOT?!" I calm down a little and tell him, "No Case, your last name is Felstead, remember?" Still confused, he looks at me like he doesn't know what to do.  I start to tell him to take it back to the snack bar lady (I'm not paying $3.00 for a Gatorade!) when I notice he has already ripped the label off the bottle.  I lecture him long and hard about the whole thing and tell him never to go to the snack bar without me knowing about it!  Little twerp!  He just doesn't get it!  Now you know why I worry about him going to Kindergarten! On a side note to this whole story, we were driving to swim team practice the next morning and Brody says to Case, "Case, did you really think your name was Case Wood Wood? (His MIDDLE name IS Wood.) Again...a blank, puzzled look on his face! Oh this kid!  What to do?  What to do?

There is that streamline that Brody has been working on all week!

Go Case! GO!