Adventures in Swim

For the past two weeks we have started our days off in the pool for Mommy and Me swim.  Some days are very cold and Bryce doesn't enjoy his time in the pool on those days.

His swim teacher has found a way to keep Bruce happy... BALLS!

After returning home for showers, lunch, naps, and picking/dropping off kids all over we return to swim at 6pm and Jeremiah and Carli have their pool time.

Today I thought I would bring the camera... it turned out to be an interesting day at swim.  When we arrived Carli let the dog loose as I was trying to put Bryce's shoes on (again).  I had to grab the dog and lost a shoe in the process.  Bryce was shoeless and as he stood on the deck he started to sign HOT to me... his feet must be burning I thought... so I put him on the side to cool off his feet.  Oh, perfect picture I thought.  As I go to snap the photo Bryce takes a dive!  I had to jump in (fully dressed) to save him as the swim teacher was on the other side of the pool with Carli.  What a way to start our 45 minutes at the pool!  (ok, no freaking out Grandma Anderson... he is fine all is well SMILE)

Here is Carli making it to the side of the pool.  She has so much determination!

Carli has really become a great swimmer over the past 2 weeks!

It is fun to have both kids in a private class together as they get time to play pool games.  They really enjoy this time together and it one of the few times during the day they don't fight!

The only place you will see Jeremiah ride a boogie board.  After getting stung by a Jelly Fish at age 3 he doesn't like to venture too far into the ocean... is this really my kid???

He is my THINKER... he is trying to think of a color to trick Carli on the game they are playing.

As Jeremiah and Carli play in the pool I have to find ways to entertain Bryce for 45 minutes....

Surfer at HEART!

He LOVES this dog... here he is signing DOG to the dog")

He likes to push the swings...

Ya, I know this one is out of focus... I meant it to be.

Picking Oranges to Pass the Time

Memorial Day FUN in the SUN enjoying the pool weather in Palm Springs!

Jeremiah spent a lot of time playing games with Carli and Uncle Bobby in the spa.

Carli insisted on swimming all around the pool without help.  Telling everyone, "I can do it by myself".  The problem is she can only take one breath and then it is hard to know when to help her out before she runs out of air.

Bryce and Daddy watch the airplanes.

This is the face Bryce makes when he says, "CHEEEESE" one of his few words hehehe!!!

I want to be a gardener...

or at least have  hat like them!

The gardeners were busy doing there job and Bryce was dragging his Nammy to all the windows frantically signing "hat" over and over.  My Mom remembered Matt had a similar hat and retrieved it for little Bryce.  He was very pleased with his hat and watched the gardeners as he wore it.  It was great entertainment until they had to leave.  He was very upset when the "hats" had gone from sight.

My Gardener

©1991 by Susan Noyes Anderson

My favorite day is Monday.

That's the day the gardener comes.

I love to watch him pull the weeds

And plant chrysanthemums.

Sometimes he cuts back our front hedge

Or prunes my climbing tree.

I watch him out the window,

And he turns to wave at me.

He doesn't use a broom to sweep.

He uses a machine.

Just like a white tornado,

It blows all our sidewalks clean.

He waves again before he leaves

And hums a happy hum.

But I wish he'd take his gloves off once

and show me his green thumb!

The BOYS are away and the GIRLS will PLAY

Last night the boys were away at the Father/Son Outing.   Carli and I invited a few girlfriends over for a night of talking, playing, nails and yummy food! The plan was for the Mommies to watch Women's Conference but I think we heard maybe 2 lines of it... we enjoy each others company far too much. The girls had a great time playing tea party, dress up and with Mr. Bunny! I don't know how much Mr. Bunny enjoyed himself...

Creative Son

Jeremiah was bored so he created a miniature golf course....

Photobucket">

Then he made some comics...

Photobucket">

a writer's born

©2003 Susan Noyes Anderson; His Children; Karisma Press

head bowed

hand clenched

brow furrowed

body benched

feet tapping

shoulders hunched

mind in motion

paper scrunched

dawn to dusk

night 'til morn

one more time

a writer's born

Photobucket">

Photobucket">

Photobucket">

To be a kid again!

Enjoying the Journey

Always Looking for the Next Adventure

A Work of Art

©2003 Susan Noyes Anderson; His Children; Vantage-Point Press

A little girl

A laugh, a sigh

A sparkle in

A soft, blue eye

A little shy

A little bold

A secret kept

A story told

A hand to hold

A lock to curl

A daisy chain

A skip, a twirl

A little girl

A woman's start

A work of grace

A work of art

Determined to get a Photo

My calendar was actually clear today so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get some pictures of Bryce on the day he turned 18 months old.  There is a field near our house were they are building a Middle School that I sometimes pass when I run around 6pm and it looks so pretty at that time of day.  Seemed easy enough to snap a few pics before dinner.  I check my camera as we are heading out the door and notice the battery is a little low.  I can't find my charger so I figure I will just cross my fingers and go for it.  We get out to the field I get 2 shots and BAM my camera is out of batteries.  I regroup and run home for a quick charging of the batteries.  No such luck!  I cannot find my charger anywhere.  I call Erin (she is a photographer she may have a battery) only to find she is at Disneyland.  Being the wonderful friend that she is she always me to break into her house to borrow a battery (I didn't actually have to break in).  She warns me her battery is also low... I hope for the best.  Back out on the field again I snap a few shots.  I just wasn't getting what I hoped for so I let the kids run up a hill and think I may try again later.  As we reach the top of the hill I found the perfect spot for the look I wanted. I get the kids to let me take a few more pictures but my CF card is full! Back down the hill I go to get my other card.  Back up the hill we go and perfect we have it!  I get 5 shots of Carli and BAM the battery is out again!  I could not believe my luck today.  Here are a few pics I got of Bryce.  I did get some that really capture his personality right now.  It was not exactly what I hoped for but, in the end my determination (and having good friends) paid off.

Bryce 18 months....

You no longer have little baby feet but I still love to kiss your toes.

You have an intense curiosity about life!

You LOVE airplanes...

and to do whatever Jeremiah is doing

You have a great arm and throw EVERYTHING you can get your hands on.

You LOVE dirt and bugs just like all boys do...

and we LOVE YOU!

My Hero

The past 2 weeks have been trying for me as I struggled with my health. Through all the ups and downs I have had a ROCK that I can depend on.  His name is Matt Anderson and he is my HERO... and also my husband.  Lucky for me that I married a man that is worthy of being a Hero. Things that make a Man a Hero...

1) he knows how and when to call Mom and ask for help and convince her to fly out to help

2) knows where the diapers and wipes are and how to change a diaper

3) can get breakfast made, lunches packed and dinner on the table

4) gets homework done and helps kids study for spelling test

5) gets all 3 kids ready for bed and then cuddles and reads books until they are sleepy

6) drives me to my many Dr Apts and sits with me through all of them

7) he knows when to just hold me and let me cry 

8) can get all 3 kids laughing and making joyful noises within seconds of walking in the door

9) he makes Mother's Day GREAT with breakfast, lunch and dinner... cleaning, naps, etc. 

10) he can make me laugh even when life is hard

Matt is the most amazing DAD to our kids and he really enjoys the time he gets to be with them. He had to take a few days off work to help me with the kids while I was sick and he was so bummed out when he had to go back to work. This time was not like a FUN vacation with the kids it was the hard day to day stuff he had to take over but he just loves being with his kids and for that he is my HERO!

I LOVE YA!  Thanks for all you do;)

Blessings of Motherhood

I wanted to take time on Mother's Day (or the eve of) to brag about my kids!  I mean that is a great part of being a Mom is bragging rights!  Today I feel so blessed to be a Mom to Jeremiah, Carli and Bryce.  I always look forward to Mother's Day for the breakfast in bed, handmade gifts, resting and yummy dinners.  This year I find myself even more excited!  I am just feeling so thrilled to be a Mom of 3 wonderful kids.  I know when I wake up in the morning there will be the best 3 little people all around me excited to tell me Happy Mother's Day! Something about that is the BEST gift of all! Some days knowing there will be 3 little people waiting for breakfast and just about everything else is exhausting... but not tonight!  Tonight I feel like a kid on xmas eve.  Not because I am looking forward to breakfast in bed or whatever they may have planned.  Just getting to be their Mommy and spend the day with these 3 little munchkins has me excited!  Jeremiah who will want to surprise me in anyway he can.  Carli who will want to be in charge of every detail.  And Bryce who will be dancing around to the music and buzz of the house with a smile on his face.   Knowing that the Lord trusts me to teach and serve these 3 little spirits is amazing and inspiring to me. 

Let the Bragging begin....

Jeremiah is the most loyal friend I know.  He never forgets those who he holds dear and he will do anything to make them smile.

Jeremiah is a fun Big Brother to have around.  He has an imagination that takes him and Carli to far off lands and she enjoys the ride most the time.

Jeremiah has always been on the go in the fastest possible way.  He loves speed!  When he was a toddler I spent so much time chasing him I did not need a gym membership.  He has slowed down a lot now.  He loves to read, make music, create and build.  I am not surprised he has come to love these things too as he has always had a love for both music and books.  Raising a child that is so interested in learning is so much fun!

As for Carli she has been the sunshine in my life!

This girl may be tiny but don't let that fool you.  She is full of life!  She is strong and stubborn and fun as they come!

This picture shows her playful side.  Carli is up for the challenge.  She loves to play games especially mind games.  She thinks it is very amusing to trick people especially Jeremiah.  She loves to act tough and show she can hang with the boys!

This picture sums up my little Carli.  I did not ask her to pose for this picture.  This is just a photo a snapped to capture Carli just as she is.  And I think she is practically perfect!  I love having a daughter to shop with and do our nails together.  One day we will plan her wedding and I will get to help her be a Mommy too!

And our little caboose!  Bryce is pure JOY!  If I ever need a pick me up all I have to do is pick up this little boy and he will hug me so tight there is no way I can't feel the love!

Bryce has a LOVE of LIFE!  He enjoys everything we do and takes it all in.  

His favorite things have always been skateboards and hats.  He is a funny kid!  He also loves music and dances to everything he hears.  He even dances along to the music in the grocery store!

This is his nightly routine... throw the food off the plate to make a hat:)  And this is his new smile LOL  My favorite time of day is when I get to read books with him and say goodnight to everything in his room with him.  I love getting to tuck him in at the end of the day!

So, as you can see my kids ROCK and I am so lucky to be their Mom!

I often do not feel qualified for the job.  Some days the job feels overwhelming and often more then I can do alone... and then when I am brought to my knees I remember I am not alone in this most important job.  Not only do I have the Savior to guide me but I have been blessed with a Mother.  I have a Mother who has always been my personal cheerleader.  She has pushed me to be the best I can be and she has helped me to love Motherhood.  My Mother is active and busy.  She has friends everywhere she goes and she has taught me the importance of friendship. She shares freely of everything she has.  She has been known to take in stray kids and animals.   She has been an example of strength to me and she continues to bless my life and her grand kids lives.  

I am not through bragging just yet... my kids rock, my Mom rocks and I am even lucky enough to have a MIL that rocks too!  I could not have hand picked a better MIL.  She has taken me into her family like one of her own and made me feel so loved.  She is an amazing mother and women and I have learned so much from her over the past 10 years.  She has not only become a mother to me but she is one of my best friends and I love her!

I hope that you too have wonderful little people all around you to celebrate with!  Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing Moms!