Day 4 of Swim Camp...

So, the two older girls have been attending a swim camp (not over-night) that will last for two weeks. They are on day 4 now and have been loving it. They were both aprehensive about joining when they heard about all the exercising and running they'd have to do, but so far, they've been keeping up without a problem.
Besides learning to swim better, they've learned about water safety, CPR, first-aid, nutrition and more. Next week, the camp will continue at a nearby lake. They will get a chance to learn to kayak and knee board as well as some other things.
I've been going and staying and hanging out with a couple of the other moms. It would be too much for me to drive back and forth that distance every day, so I've let the little ones take full advantage of the play time as well. Everybody's happy and it makes for a great summer. Here are some pics I thought I'd share...

Hannah doing laps.

Marco playing in the wader pool while we pass the day away...

Naomi playing on the jungle gym there.

Taryn, who gets darker by the second - even with sunblock, helping a friend with sit-ups.

Hannah in the plaid shorts warming up with arm rolls.

Photo Hunt...PROTECTION...

This is a weekly meme called PhotoHunt...

This week the theme is PROTECT(ION).

Here's a couple cute pictures I took this morning, but more will follow!

If you want to play along, the key is in my side bar.

Little Marco is not fond of this gate, but we love it!

Our fearless protector, Oso. =]

Even Naomi feels safe with him around!

As promised, here are a few more pictures. Many of you long time readers know that my Hannah had another pug named Chowder. Sadly, he got sick with parvo and passed away. =[ Not too long ago, she got a new pug. She is VERY protective of her (Panini) and wants to try and make sure that nothing will harm her. =]


Here she is giving Panini her first treat and new collar.

Hannah's photography...

This is the picture Hannah took. She won 1st in her category - Jr. High Film Landscape/still life.

I think she did a pretty great job! She is very interested in photography and I hope she will pursue it further. =]

This church is across the street from the famous Mission Inn in Riverside.

Great job, Hannah!

Some shimmer and glimmer...

Top of the tree...

The WHOLE tree...nice, huh?

This was very shimmery, glimmery in person. =] LOVE those colors!

Her face is all lit up with happiness...can anybody tell me what her face and hand are "saying"?

Today, I am thankful for...

...my Hannah, my oldest child, my helper...my friend. Anyone who reads here is already familiar with her. She's an awesome cook, big sister, scrapbooker, student...I could go on!

On Thanksgiving day we found out that her puppy, Chowder, was very sick. We didn't know what it was - but we kept an eye on him all day - and got ready for a house full of people that would be arriving for Thanksgiving dinner.

It was really bad. He was getting sick all over the place. I thought maybe he ate something bad or that maybe he ate Oso's adult formula food and it was making him sick.

Through all of it, Hannah kept cleaning up after him. She did not complain at all. I felt so bad for her because I knew it was hurting her.

I finally told my husband that we needed to take him to a vet. He had to drive quite a ways away to get to the only emergency vet that was open on Thanksgiving.

The news wasn't good. Chowder would have to be put down. He had Parvo and it was bad. He talked to Hannah about it. They let her say good-bye and gave Hannah his collar and that was it.

They headed back to the house. When she got home she just fell into my arms and cried. I cried with her. What an awful feeling to have your baby feeling so sad and not being able to "fix" it. I just let her cry and I hugged her. Later, I gave her a Pug Webkinz that I had bought and was saving for Christmas. She cried more, but then hasn't let go of it.

I am so thankful to have such a mature young lady. She is beautiful, smart, loving, creative and kind. She's Hannah.

This is a picture of the Webkinz I gave her and the collar from Chowder.

Wordless Wednesday: 28 lbs. of Goodness!

Random Thoughts...

So, there has been some trouble with Blogger, I guess. Sometimes you can't comment and sometimes, I can't post. Hopefully, this will go through without a problem.

Anyway, I was thinking about tomorrow. The 25th of October. I am going to be the mother of a teenager. When did that happen?

It seems like yesterday that I was teaching her how to write and we would do daily "activa-lees" (activities) such as painting, scrapbooking, planting seeds, etc. Now I look at her and she is sitting in the "schoolroom" at her desk, taking an Algebra test. Unbelievable.

I was going to share a letter here, that I wrote to her, but I changed my mind. I think I will keep it for her. I have a special project planned for her and I will be sharing that with you later.

I will just tell you this, my blogging friends - I am very blessed to have such an awesome daughter. She is sweet, kind, and tender-hearted. She's a hard worker and she is passionate about the things she does. She is a wonderful big sister and sometimes could pass for their mama. She is not afraid to stand up for right. She is my helper. She is a scrapbooker and photographer. She's a cook and a musician. She is a friend and knows the meaning of loyalty. This girl is just all around awesome...and I am not just saying this 'cause I'm her mom. =]

Can your 12 year old do this? =]

Hannah's cooking dinner tonight! She makes perfect chicken tenders. Yum!