The High Dive...

Alex started swimming lessons at the local community pool this week. The first day we arrived and they told her to stand on her number. Well I wasn’t sure what her number was or where these numbers were so I look up to ask a lifeguard about the numbers and I look down to tell Alex and she wasn’t by my side anymore. I look at my friends and ask “where’s Alex?” and when they didn’t answer I ask with more concern in my voice as I’m scanning the bottom of the deep end, “WHERE’S ALEX?!” I then look up and she’s almost to the top of the high dive ladder. Well that didn’t take her long, apparently she’s not afraid of heights but who knows what she would’ve done had she gotten to the top. Not only is she not aloud in the pool during open swim time, but there was no one there to catch her if she actually jumps off. So I finally convince her to climb back down and wait on her number for her teacher to come. During the lesson her teacher tells the kids that if they’re good this week she will let them go down the slide and off of the diving board. So Alex tells me this afterwards and includes the “high dive” on the list of things they get to do at the end of the week. She’s very excited and tells everyone that she is going to go off of the high dive. Being concerned that she would be disappointed when this option wasn’t presented to her I asked her teacher if it’s even safe for a three year old to go off of the high dive. I was concerned she might rotate into an awkward position and have a rather painful landing. Well her teacher “Miss. Kelsey” insures me that she’s had a couple of three year olds jump off of the high dive before and just instructs them to stay straight like a pencil when they jump. So I tell Alex that I asked her teacher and she said that at the end of the week, she will let her jump off of the high dive and catch her when she jumps. Alex starts to say, “but I just want” and I’m thinking, “what? She just wants to go off of the low dive? Just the slide? Is she chickening out already?” then she finishes the sentence, “but I just want…to go off by myself”. Well it is now the end of the week and she had fun, going down the slide and jumping off of the low dive then they all got in line to go off of the high dive. Alex’s friend is first in line and quickly gives up her position so she can watch Alex go off first.
Alex gladly accepts and doesn’t hesitate as she climbs the ladder and walks out to the end of the board. She looks down and this is when I figure she’ll start to shake her head and inch her way backwards. Well her teacher yells up, “stay straight like a pencil, one…two…three” and Alex leaps into the air. I couldn’t believe it! I know I would’ve second guessed myself at that age. She climbs out of the pool with a surprised look on her face like she can’t believe it herself. I congratulate her on what a good job she did and she just smiles and admits “I was a little bit scared”.

4th of July Fireworks

Staying up 2 hours past bedtime with a box full of fireworks was all Alex needed to keep her on that little blanket on her cousin's front lawn all night long.

Cascade Lake

For the 4th of July, the Day family got together and decided to spend a day at the lake. Johnny tries to figure out how to get this tube water bound as Alex tries to highjack a jet ski.

Cascade Cabin

On the weekends you'll most often find us in Cascade, Idaho where Brad's parents own a cabin nestled on top of the mountain, surrounded by tall pines and a view of the valley below. It's an easy way to get away from it all and let the kids run wild. I love waking up to the cool crisp air and the smell of pine trees and then going to sleep with hot smores in my tummy!

Now that's skill...for an old guy

Brad takes over the tramp for a minute to show off his grace and form. Not bad, I have to admit...I was impressed.

John Russell

Ah, our little Johnny. His smile is contageous and he's inherited his Dad's long eyelashes and piercing blue eyes. He wabbles around on his chubby little feet saying "ooh ooh, aah aah" all day long like the little monkey that he is. And having the "monkey" gene in him, he climbs on everything imaginable. All he needs is one good foot hold and one good hand hold and he's up and climbing. He's an explorer at heart and we've found him in the strangest pardicaments including up to his armits in the floor vent and hanging from the computer desk by one hand and one foot on a box. I think he's trying to make up for the fact that he is only 3% in height for his age. The poor kid will never be asked to get something off of the top shelf of a bookcase but you'd better bet he'll offer to climb up there and get it for you anyway. We love his bubbly, no fear personalitly and can't wait until he can tell us what's really on his mind. He loves to laugh and will use his laughter to lure you into playing a game of hide and "scare" with him. He loves to tackle his sister to the ground and climb on top of her as if he is twice her size instead of the other way around. Although he seems to be out to conquer all, he loves to snuggle and lay his head on my shoulder as I scratch his back or run my fingers through his hair. His Dad likes to call him a Mama's boy and I take that as a complement.

Alexandra Christine

Alex is now 3 1/2 years old and loves to swim, dance, draw and most of all talk your ear off. Her favorite word right now is "Why?" and she will randomly tell me and Brad "I love you". She especially likes to throw that out just after she's been scolded for something. Her face will soften with a serene smile as she says "Mom, I love you". Now how can you stay mad after that? She's a little too smart for her own good. The other day her friend was over and it was time to pick up. She told her friend to "pick up the jewelry" maybe implying that she would pick up something else. Well my hardworking daughter stood there and pointed out "there's some jewelry, there's some jewelry" until all but two or three necklaces were left on the ground. Then she suggested to her friend "I'll pick up the jewelry and you pick up the doctor stuff". Are you kidding me? She's only three and she's already figured out how to manipulate the system. She loves to help me out around the house and I'm constantly making up tasks for her to help me with. She's a very structure oriented child and has to have everything in her life lined up just how she wants it. She likes her schedules and will do whatever we ask if it's written on a chart or calendar. Otherwise, what she says is law and she is stubborn to the bone. We love our little Alex and can see that she is growing up way too fast. I try to enjoy her childish acts as much as possible and I can't get over just how beautiful she is!

My life, my love, my pride and joy...my children!