Minnow, Take Three

Jake and Janie had a chat on Monday night about what would be expected at swim lessons and on Tuesday morning, she was super excited... until we walked in... then the waterworks. Jake then earned Daddy of the Year and handled the situation, culminating in her quietly going through the lesson and him sticking to his promise to sit right by her... in his dress pants no less!

But the kid went through the lesson like a champ. Here she is kicking along without her teacher even helping her!
Ring around the rosy, bubble blowing style.
This Daddy knows how to take care of his girl!

Roast Chicken: Check

I did it! My goal of the month was accomplished. My friend Lindsey posted a step by step here.

Here's the bird...

Here's what I got from it. I used half last night for some chicken curry, and I'm using the other half to make chicken salad later in the week.
I poured the vinegar on the leftover chicken junk, as instructed...
Added my veggies and water to the crockpot...
Then presto! Our house smells like Thanksgiving and by this morning my super-nutritious broth was ready. I don't need it this week, so I measured it out into baggies to freeze!

So now May can come.

P.S. Turns out several of you were already in-the-know not only on cooking whole chickens but also this apparently fabulous-for-you broth. Makes me wonder how many other great kitchen secrets I'm in the dark on! Share more if you like!

#9 turns 1!

Sweet Maggie, the ninth grandchild on my side, turned one last week! We spent Saturday celebrating with them in Chattanooga. Here, Jodi, is evidence that my husband apparently swept the leg on your only son...

Maggie had willing helpers in big sis Katie and big brother Ian to explain how great cake is.

She decided she believed them.

When she got bored, her daddy through some baby bait on top of the cake to keep her attention. It was pretty popular when she discovered it!

We love you, sweet Mags!

Zoo time

We asked for an annual pass to the zoo for Blythe and Joy's birthday, and we finally bought the pass last week! Katie and I took our collective four (not including her baby girl-on-the-way) on Friday morning for our first big zoo adventure, and we had a wonderful time (despite some crazy crowds)! Here we are with Willie B...

I had forgotten in the time since we went to the zoo in Greenville that Joy doesn't actually like zoo animals. Here is a classic moment- everyone is excited about the animals, Blythe is trying to get out of the stroller, Joy is leaned back as far as she can and crying.

And again, Blythe on the left, so excited about the giraffes; Joy... not so excited, to say the least! I will take advantage of this pic to say that all the animals at all of the exhibits were awake and doing interesting things, but this was our favorite- the giraffes (including a mama and baby), zebras, and ostriches were all together, so it was really neat.
But Carlton shared Blythe and Abby Jane's affinity for the animals and had a fabulous waving and laughing. He is one of the most joyful kids you'll ever meet!

This was one hilarious moment as we were leaving. Abby Jane had been watching a bunch of kids posing with the lion and Katie and I were talking while she watched. All of the sudden, I realized she was up there posing while other people waited for their kids' turn, waiting for me to take her picture!

I told Jake the night before that my prayer was that everyone have a good time, have good attitudes, and that we didn't lose any children. Other than Joy needing to work on animal relations, it was an utter success!

Minnow, Take 2

It was a definite repeat of Tuesday. She was upbeat and excited until the moment her bottom sat on the pool stairs, then it was all downhill from there. Though it wasn't for lack of encouragement and kindness from the teacher and other parents there! And to her credit, she did half-heartedly accomplish all the skills asked of her... except blowing bubbles... because that involved stopping crying...

Jake and I conferenced on it last night, and we're pulling out the big guns for next week.

Daddio is having one of his "conversations" with the girl, then coming with us to swim lessons on Tuesday!

I have high hopes for getting back to her old gumption and enthusiasm, or at least just not crying for the entire lesson. If she were fussing because she felt that learning some skill like floating, jumping off the side, etc., was scary, it would be different.

But this is straight-up three-year-old drama and will be handled accordingly. Bless her baby soul.

Minnow, Take 1

Abby Jane's first lesson as a "Minnow" with her new teacher was great for the first 8 seconds. One second after this photo, she lost her grip and went sideways underwater (picture still holding onto the waterski rope after falling and the boat is still going). The rest of the lesson was tearful, to say the least. It was, however, a great moment of bravery, because the kid did everything asked of her, despite calling for me constantly (a complete 180 from the last session as a Tadpole)!

Her precious friend Andy is in this class as well, and he gave her this flower afterwards. In the car on the way home, she held it and studied it. She asked me to put it in her room to remember how Andy made her feel better with the flower. Jake pointed out that it was her first flower from a boy other than him.
Tomorrow is our next installment in our new life as a Minnow, so I hope to give a glowing report of tear-free courage and enthusiasm!

FYI

One of these beverage containers WILL spill coffee ALL over your shirt right before you walk out the door to Bible study. The other one will not.

This is how the top of a travel mug looks. This is the one that does not spill.

On the other hand, this is how the top of a thermos looks that is only for keeping your coffee warm until you pour it into another container. (What is the point there?)

When your husband says, "Have you used that thermos yet?" He does not mean, as some may mistakenly perceive, "Have you taken it in the car with you to use as a travel mug?" Said husband may find it hilarious if his wife mistook the question as a suggestion to drink out of the thermos. To Jake's credit, he did offer some sort of sympathy... after he finished laughing at me.