My family swims. We basically grew up in or around the water. We all taught swim lessons, spent summers as lifeguards, etc. We loved to watch swimming and diving in the Olympics and probably all dreamt of being on that podium. I remember watching when Greg Louganis hit his head. I remember watching the East German women and knowing that there was no way, even after years of training (big cheaters). In our family, swimming speed decreased with age (meaning my mom was fast, but my younger brother smoked us all) and medals increased. I swam competively for many years and loved it. Well, maybe I didn't love ALL the training, but I met some of my best friends in the pool (Hi, Amanda!). I would have loved to continue my swimming career in college. My high school swim coach desperately tried to convince me to be on the team, but going to UT would have made me the slowest person on the team and I would have killed myself to be that slow person. Not wanting to leave swimming behind, I "assisted" the Texas men's swim team. Basically I helped with timing meets, meeting possible recruits, etc. Really it was a big excuse to hang out with insanely cute and talented guys. I loved it. The coolest part was getting to meet amazing athletes like Jenny Thompson (she came for a meet and was so nice) and watching the Olympics, and recognizing so many of the swimmers for so many years. The UT Men's Swim team always sends tons of guys to swim on the National team; it's really amazing. Now most of the swimmers I knew are coaches themselves. But, I still LOVE watching swimming races.
During the last Olympics, my girls were too young to appreciate anything other than the pageantry. They missed out on the awesomeness of Michael Phelps and Lezak's relay leg. This year, we're all watching the US Swimming trials and loving every minute of it. We pick our favorites- Phelps, Lochte, Brendan Hansen, Matt Grevers (that dude is TALL, have you seen him? Amazing), Natalie Coughlin, and waiting for one of my favorites, Darla Torres to swim. I miss some of the "older crowd," like Aaron Peirsol. That guy was amazing, a Longhorn, and a super cutie! It's been great to take time to explain each stroke to my girls. I tell them which strokes mommy used to swim and why the swimmers kick like that. I feel like I'm passing part of my family's history to them. Honestly, they could be faster than any of us ever hoped to be. Em is an amazing swimmer; naturally gifted. M took a little longer, but is now showing real promise. It's taking every ounce of restraint to not put them in any meets. I want to grow their love for swimming. I know that you have to really love the sport first. It takes so many hours of training that if you don't love it, you'll leave it. I'm hoping that watching the Olympics will start a fire in them. If not for swimming, for something else (preferrably something that isn't too dangerous!).
Likewise amazing is how quicky they built the swimming facility on the floor of the arena. It's the fastest above ground pool ever! Plus, the flames that shoot out intermittently on deck are pretty dang cool. I told my husband that we need to add some deck flames to our backyard pool. He mentioned something about zoning and fire risk, blah blah blah.
Monday Musings- Camp Edition
Things I have learned from my daughter's first sleep-away camp:
1) I'm pretty sure that the camp told the girls to roll around in sand. I have approximately 10 tons of sand in my washing machine.
2) I also found a couple lanyards, a friendship bracelet, a mood ring, and a nickel in the washing machine.
3) The camp had this whole list to determine "Is your daughter ready for camp?" Notably missing was- Is your daughter a big baby about bugs? One of Em's tent mates (let's call her Allison, since that's her name) was deathly afraid of bugs. At a camp in the woods. Where the girls slept in tents. Apparently Allison's antics made the entire tent late for most activities, etc.
3) Em came home with her dirty laundry in the specific laundry bag we packed. Hooray! And, her clean clothes underneath her wet towels and muddy tennis shoes.
4) I have done more laundry than I thought possible.
5) At least Em wore all the underwear we packed. The first time my brother went to Boy Scout camp, he came back with 5 clean changes of clothes (including underwear) from a week long camp.
6) They teach the kids a lot of camp songs. Ask me how I know.
7) Em used her camp store money to buy a little trinket for her sister. Awww
8) She might have been (very) dirty, but she was happy.
Now to prepare for next month's camp!
1) I'm pretty sure that the camp told the girls to roll around in sand. I have approximately 10 tons of sand in my washing machine.
2) I also found a couple lanyards, a friendship bracelet, a mood ring, and a nickel in the washing machine.
3) The camp had this whole list to determine "Is your daughter ready for camp?" Notably missing was- Is your daughter a big baby about bugs? One of Em's tent mates (let's call her Allison, since that's her name) was deathly afraid of bugs. At a camp in the woods. Where the girls slept in tents. Apparently Allison's antics made the entire tent late for most activities, etc.
3) Em came home with her dirty laundry in the specific laundry bag we packed. Hooray! And, her clean clothes underneath her wet towels and muddy tennis shoes.
4) I have done more laundry than I thought possible.
5) At least Em wore all the underwear we packed. The first time my brother went to Boy Scout camp, he came back with 5 clean changes of clothes (including underwear) from a week long camp.
6) They teach the kids a lot of camp songs. Ask me how I know.
7) Em used her camp store money to buy a little trinket for her sister. Awww
8) She might have been (very) dirty, but she was happy.
Now to prepare for next month's camp!
Tuesday Thoughts
I missed Monday Musings because I was musing, musing a lot about my baby away at camp. Oh my heart. I take full credit for any angsty mommy feelings I have-I caused them all. I brought up the idea for camp, found the camps, packed the bags, paid the money, etc. My 7 year old is at her first sleep-away camp. She's at the same Girl Scout camp my sister and I attended when we were little. I know she's having a great time. I know she's far too busy to write home. I'm just having a hard time adjusting to life without her (even for a few days). I've had that little voice and smile around for seven years. Being away from her is hard. (Seriously, sniff, mah baybee) The camps have all these questions about whether or not your kid is ready for sleep-away camp, they should have had questions for the parents! My daughter would leave for college now if she could, little Miss Independent. I've got to suck it up to prepare for her leaving for a two week camp in July. Eep.
In other news, I signed my younger daughter up for a theater day camp. She's got quite a flair for performing and literally sings all the live long day. I thought it would be nice for her to have a special camp while her big sister was away for her camp. I could not have imagined how perfect the theater camp would be for M. To say that M loves theater camp is an understatement. I think she's found her calling. It's as if all the lights turned on for her and they are all Broadway lights. I'm glad, but y'all, there are stage moms at this camp. I do not understand-it's a half day camp for 4-6 year olds, is it really that big of a deal?! Geez. Being a pushy stage mom is not in my genetic material!
It's been a weird few days, watching my independent girlie become even more independent and watching my little one shine in ways I couldn't have imagined. Oh, and planning a big birthday bash that makes me think of this phrase "My colors are Blush and Bashful." "Your colors are Pink and Pink." More to come on Blush & Bashful. Let's just say the party I'm working on was one I never thought I'd host. The things we do for our kids (see above).
In other news, I signed my younger daughter up for a theater day camp. She's got quite a flair for performing and literally sings all the live long day. I thought it would be nice for her to have a special camp while her big sister was away for her camp. I could not have imagined how perfect the theater camp would be for M. To say that M loves theater camp is an understatement. I think she's found her calling. It's as if all the lights turned on for her and they are all Broadway lights. I'm glad, but y'all, there are stage moms at this camp. I do not understand-it's a half day camp for 4-6 year olds, is it really that big of a deal?! Geez. Being a pushy stage mom is not in my genetic material!
It's been a weird few days, watching my independent girlie become even more independent and watching my little one shine in ways I couldn't have imagined. Oh, and planning a big birthday bash that makes me think of this phrase "My colors are Blush and Bashful." "Your colors are Pink and Pink." More to come on Blush & Bashful. Let's just say the party I'm working on was one I never thought I'd host. The things we do for our kids (see above).
Friday Favorite- The PERFECT jeans!
One of these days I'll blog sometime during the week. Yeesh. I'm super excited about what I'm about to tell you. Like most women, I've been on a jeans quest for years. Finding jeans with the perfect fit, length, that don't show my unmentionables when I bend over is apparently a hard combination. I finally found what I was looking for and feel like it is my duty as a woman to share my find with you. Of course I found my perfect jeans at Anthropologie. I went to try these pants on (Still LOVE, by the way) and on a lark I tried the AG Stevie Straight jeans. I'd heard great things about them. Oh man. They were great- a nice material (not too heavy, not too thin), a fabulous fit, nice length, skinny but not too tight, etc. The only thing I didn't like was the price. I'm not opposed to paying money for quality clothing or staples that I know I'll wear over and over. However, I really don't wear jeans all that often. I sadly walked away.
Cue me getting REALLY excited a couple weeks later when GILT had a jeans sale. I logged on and ...just missed out on ordering the AG Stevies. UGH. Then again about 2 weeks later GILT has an AG sale! And, I got in. And, the price was less than 1/2 of Anthropologie. And, I got the Stevies. And, we lived happily ever after. Amen. *My jeans are slightly different than the ones Anthropologie has in stock now, but are still my idea of jean perfection.
My daughter's comment when the jeans came in the mail the other day, "Mommy, those jeans ft you perfectly." -I love having girls!
AG Stevie Jeans- my Friday Favorite.
My daughter's comment when the jeans came in the mail the other day, "Mommy, those jeans ft you perfectly." -I love having girls!
AG Stevie Jeans- my Friday Favorite.
Monday Musings
Not one for the traditional baby book- My youngest daughter said her first curse words this weekend. Lovely. At least she waited almost six years. Let's just say there was no debating where she heard it, ahem, HUSBAND.
My husband's birthday was this weekend. It should surprise no one that he received a bag of pee. OK, technically, it was urine- pig, deer, and raccoon. It actually was pretty darn funny. But, still...my husband got a giant bag of pee for his birthday. I married Ted Nugent.
Emily brought me Trader Joe's Mini Peanut Butter cups. She's pretty much the best ever. Today my boss gave me a bag of Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Filled Chocolate Covered Pretzels. Trader Joe's opens in a week! Best Week Ever!!
We took the kids to the movies yesterday and saw a mini trailer for "Despicable Me 2." The movie producers know their market well, my 5 year old thought the trailer was the most HI-larious thing she has ever seen.
The wedges I posted about Friday are Amazing. I've worn them 3 days in a row, for three separate events, and they are perfect each time. That Princess Catherine can pick a good shoe!
Two of my design decisions (that my husband does not like) were featured on "Property Brothers" on HGTV. I believe that means I'm officially designer-y. I tried using the show to prove that I'm right. To which my husband replied, "Yeah, well, another HGTV designer put moss on walls." So, yeah...
My husband's birthday was this weekend. It should surprise no one that he received a bag of pee. OK, technically, it was urine- pig, deer, and raccoon. It actually was pretty darn funny. But, still...my husband got a giant bag of pee for his birthday. I married Ted Nugent.
Emily brought me Trader Joe's Mini Peanut Butter cups. She's pretty much the best ever. Today my boss gave me a bag of Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Filled Chocolate Covered Pretzels. Trader Joe's opens in a week! Best Week Ever!!
We took the kids to the movies yesterday and saw a mini trailer for "Despicable Me 2." The movie producers know their market well, my 5 year old thought the trailer was the most HI-larious thing she has ever seen.
The wedges I posted about Friday are Amazing. I've worn them 3 days in a row, for three separate events, and they are perfect each time. That Princess Catherine can pick a good shoe!
Two of my design decisions (that my husband does not like) were featured on "Property Brothers" on HGTV. I believe that means I'm officially designer-y. I tried using the show to prove that I'm right. To which my husband replied, "Yeah, well, another HGTV designer put moss on walls." So, yeah...
Friday Favorite- LK Bennett Wedges
I TRIED not to post more shoes. But, let's face it, I love shoes. I love pretty. These, well, I can't help it. I'll admit that I may be slightly obsessed with tracking Princess Catherine's fashion moves. I only recently discovered that not everybody logs on to various Princess Kate fashion websites every day-oh, you don't do that? Weird. Anyhow, I do. Her style is pretty close to what I imagine mine to be- tailored, classic, fairly conservative, polished. (I REALLY want her hair! What is the secret to that hair?!). Anyhow, her favorite brand of shoes seems to be LK Bennett. From time to time I watch sales on LK Bennett shoes. A few days ago, a great sale, plus discount code popped up on these wedges.
I think they are pretty much the perfect summer shoe. The pair I got are coral, which I think is kind of awesome. I can see wearing these to work or out to dinner. I love clothes and shoes that can work in multiple situations. I spend so much time at work, I hate spending money for something I can't wear at the office. But, I don't want my entire closet to be work items. I know these shoes will be a perfect summer shoe to wear to work and on the weekend. They seem comfy and pretty. PLUS, PRINCESS shoes.
LK Bennett wedges, my Friday Favorite.
LK Bennett wedges, my Friday Favorite.
Monday Musings
I think my husband is messing with me (more than usual). Exhibit A: he has recently started leaving the toilet seat up at night. It's like he WANTS me to fall in. Exhibit B: He calls me Friday, "I'm at the cupcake store." Me-"Great. Um..., are you buttering me up for something?" Him-"I need the name of a good divorce attorney." Me-BLINK. Him-"For a friend." No Kidding. Not funny. OK, slightly funny. Mainly mean, but slightly funny.
My kids are out of school for summer. I wish I still got a summer. Wouldn't that be awesome?!
I don't understand the point of French manicures. Why not just paint your nails clear or light pale? Also, I've been to France. I've never seen one actual French woman wearing her nails like that. Why not just call it the "American Manicure"? So called French pedicures confuse me more.
There's been a lot of media coverage on the Queen for her Jubilee. I'm glad to see all the interviews, but I have yet to see the one interview I really want-Princess Catherine sharing the secret for her super shiny, super awesome hair.
My two girls look so much alike. We regularly get asked if they are twins (nope-2 years apart). But, Em is fastidiously clean and put together and M is quite possibly the messiest child I have ever met. She ate a cookie the other day and one of my friends said it looked like a "Smurf exploded all over her." Ha. How is that possible?
My kids are out of school for summer. I wish I still got a summer. Wouldn't that be awesome?!
I don't understand the point of French manicures. Why not just paint your nails clear or light pale? Also, I've been to France. I've never seen one actual French woman wearing her nails like that. Why not just call it the "American Manicure"? So called French pedicures confuse me more.
There's been a lot of media coverage on the Queen for her Jubilee. I'm glad to see all the interviews, but I have yet to see the one interview I really want-Princess Catherine sharing the secret for her super shiny, super awesome hair.
My two girls look so much alike. We regularly get asked if they are twins (nope-2 years apart). But, Em is fastidiously clean and put together and M is quite possibly the messiest child I have ever met. She ate a cookie the other day and one of my friends said it looked like a "Smurf exploded all over her." Ha. How is that possible?
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