Lake Isabella ~ Summer 2005 ~Labor Day Weekend

Fun at the Lake...The Kids...

The Lake...

Jeremiah age 2

Makayla age 5 1/2

The Sand...

The Sun...

...with Mom & Dad.

Fun Nights...Even Funner Days...

...riding the wave runners.

...playing with our friends.

...that's what we love about Lake Isabella.... EVERYTHING!

Just Add Water

My reciepe for happy kids in the Summer?... Just add water!
As is true with most kids... I just cannot keep mine out of the water, come Summertime. (Not that I would even want to try!) Every year, just before school lets out, I buy one of those nice big Intex swimming pools. (BTW- where were those when WE were kids?) This becomes part of our daily Summer rituals.
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Whether it is just my two- or a gaggle of neighborhood kids (plus my two)- from June to September, morning till night- our little backyard swimming pool sees plenty of action. These are photos of Makayla, Jeremiah and a friend, one such day, last August. And this particular day was just like nearly every other, last Summer- and every Summer. They had a ball.

Even Sadie the Cat cannot resist all that wet fun! (She likes to get up on the inflatable edge and relax with her paws in the water. (I know... STRANGE CAT!) Just look at the interest gleaming in her eyes! She almost looks like she is ready to jump right in with them!
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Now that Summer is almost here again, we are looking forward to long, hot days, spent cooling off in the pool- followed by muggy nights, staying up laate, BBQing, and night swimming in our little backyard pool.
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Aaaah.... the joys of childhood!

First Day Of Water Play 2009!

What a great way to kick of the first day of Spring Break!!!

Today was the first day warm enough to pull out the old toddler pool for a little splashin' around!

The kids and I spent the first day of our Spring Vacation hanging aroung the house, kicking back, playing and enjoying not having to go to school. The kids woke up early and had breakfast while getting to watch the morning cartoons that they usually miss while in school. Then, while Mom got to clock in a wee bit of extra shut eye; Makayla and Jeremiah took turns hiding plastic Easter Eggs and searching aroung the living room for them.

Then, after they got tired of that, they started a new game/craft project. They divided all of the eggs up between them; and then drew faces on each, and gave them all names. After they had their 'Egg Babies', Makayla transformed an egg carton into their 'Egg Farm'. She also cut little blankets for them, while Mom made head kercheifs for the girls, and bibs for the boys. They had a whole morning's worth of fun on that activity! (Those are my favorite kind of activity...the ones that let them get crafty AND use their imagination.)

After lunch, we pulled out the play clothes and the hose for a bit of water play. That is when our little neighbor Vicka and her mother Natasha came over to join us. They are some new friends that we meet this year, when Vicka and her Mama moved here all the way from Russia. Natasha is the new wife of our neighbor's brother; an Vicka goes to Kindergarten with J.D.

The kid's splashed around all afternoon,until it got a little cold. After we changed into dry clothes, and our friends had left; the kids put on the old, "Mom, we're bored!" routine. So, I took them for a scooter ride around the neighborhood, where we stopped by our other friend's house, to see if they could play for awhile.

Brian, Michael and their Mama, Lorraine came over to play on the trampoline, and share a pizza dinner with us. All in all, I would say that we had a fabulous first day of Spring Vacation. Who can complain about craft project, water play, TWO playdates and pizza, all in one day!

MAKAYLA'S HIP HOP DANCE COMPETITION

Makayla's Dance Team,

"The Best In The West"

WON 3rd Place in the

Southern California

Regional Hip Hop

Dance Competition!!!




WAY TO GO MISS RED!!! ~ We are so proud of you!
All of your hard work, and practice has paid off., and we couldn't be happier for you! I know that the going was getting a little rough. I know that you had hoped for a fun and care free
dance class; and instead you ended up on an extremely competitive dance team, with a teacher who expected quite a lot out of you all. I know that you felt like quitting at times, and I know it was not always fun, or easy.

In spite of all of that; I think that you have learned some valuable lssons about yourself. I think that you learned that when when the going gets tough... you get tougher. I hope that you learned that even if you aren't alwas 'into' something...that once you start, you must persevere and finish. I think that you learned the value of team work, and the imporance of each person's place on a team. I also hope that that no matter what you do...that you can always work hard, stick with it, and get good results as long as you give it your all. And if nothing else...I think that learning those lessons, is worth more than any old medal or trophy. (Not that your medals, and trophies are not ultra cool!)

So, I do not know what your future in Hip Hop Dance may be. We may try to find you a class that is less competetive, and more focused on having fun and learning great dance moves. You may decide to continue this class, or even to go back to Cheerleading. I do not know what the future has in store for you. But, beautiful girl, I do know this...whatever you do, you shine bright. Wherever you go, youare love, and however you do it...you do your best. That is all i could ever want for you. More than trophies and medals...I want to see that glorious look of self satsfaction and independence that I see fro you right now.

Mommy Loves You... Never, ever forget that! I am always right behind you, cheering you on, helping you learn, and waiting in the wings in case you need some love and support. I am your biggest fan! ~ (Oh, and every one else in the family too!) :)