My preschooler

First, the totally random.  We have decorative glass front doors and they make rainbows.  Here are attempts at showcasing them.  First I did my foot.

Nick tried a closer one of Zoey's, but the flash kind of washed it out.

And here is Sam's hand.  The light was fading fast!

Nick made it back with the truck.  Sam, of course, had to pretend to drive it.  Nick had some very long days; flying and loading, driving and unloading our stuff, and then being fingerprinted, going to swimming class for Sam, meetings and unloading the rest into storage on the third day.  I met him at storage and helped some, but I had to stay near the car.  So I just helped him tip things onto the furniture dolly and opened the door.  He had to do a lot himself.  Poor Zoey cried almost the whole time I helped.  Sam enjoyed pretending to drive the car.

Sam has been like a different kid lately.  I think she has moved past some of the issues from moving/Zoey/being 3, etc.  She is much more pleasant with a lot less annoyance.  She has been doing amazing and wonderful things.  She cried some about swimming, but really challenged herself and has made huge strides each day.  Today was her third day and she is already working on form and such.  She could doggie paddle with her head under to the bar/step by the first day and really well by the second day.  She still does not use her arms too much.  But I am so impressed and proud.

One of the things that my mom sent with Nick was an old tape from my teaching practicum class.  I did not want it, so I decided to let Sam practice cutting with it.  It made a HUGE mess, but she had a great time and worked on coordination.  Here she is with a portion of the mess.  She was great about helping to clean it up, too.

Our family portrait.

And besides being her third day of swimming, today was her first day at Resurrection Preschool.  I actually had to pick her up a bit early for swimming.  Yesterday was a quick 10 minute see the room, meet the lead teacher and drop off supplies.  Today we had to get up super early.  Nick had to be at USF Poly at 6:45 for a new faculty retreat.  I even had to wake up Sam as she has been sleeping in until 7/7:30 lately.  She was so funny saying, "But I'm still tired."  I felt like saying tell me about it kid since she often wakes us up super early given that 7 is sleeping in :)  After we dropped Nick off we came back home for breakfast and pictures before heading to school.

Her first one was a jumping one, silly girl.

Then a real picture.

For Resurrection, we drive up for drop off and pick up (after today), so Sam has to carry her own tote bag.  We have to send in a snack for her everyday, so I got her a mini spiderman snack box.  We also have to send or buy lunch.  And the days have themes often, so we have to dress special or take something along with the theme.  So much work!  I am glad she only goes 2 days a week.

I parked and walked her over today.  Here she is on the playground.  She has 20 kids in her class, including a Zoe and Sammy.

Sam did so well at school.  She cried briefly when I left, but was done by the time I got to the door and was much better than a lot of the kids.  She was even upset that I had to take her early since she did not get to paint.  She told me some of what she did; play outside two times, eat snack, dance, and draw.  She seems to have had a great day.  I am so proud and so relieved!  She also did well at swimming despite a little protest.  Here she is with her first day of school present.

What a big girl!  I heard a really good quote the other day by Gretchen Rubin; "The days are long, but the years are short."  I am definitely feeling that one.  Here are a couple more:


While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt



I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring.  ~Liz Armbruster

Mother of the year, I am not

We have stayed really busy lately, which will include the stories of why I will not be up for mother of the year.  For starters, patience is not one of my strengths, but I try.  I was, after all, born a Swilley :) The stress of moving and such does not help.  But that is not the main reason for the title of the blog.  But first, some other pictures.

We (the girls) all got hats recently and wore them on a walk.  I put Zoey's on after putting her in the carrier and Nick neglected to notice her face was covered.  It does not help that she likes to chew on the hat straps (along with anything else she can get in her mouth).

 Look, there is a baby in there :)

Zoey is a perpetual motion machine.  She does not like to sit still, she really wiggles when you hold her and can move like an inchworm or via rolling when on the floor.  And she grabs everything.  But she also does not like to be left in the jumparoo or exersaucer long, so that makes meal times rough.  Either I have to listen to her cry or try and eat with one hand while trying to prevent disasters.  The other day we went to Baskin Robbins with our new moms club and I was trying to clean Sam's hands.  In the 2 seconds I was leaning, Zoey grabbed my Sundae and threw it to the floor.  I had only has 3 bites :(  But, she is a sweetie and a constant flirt, even if she is a challenge to keep happy at times.  She just loves attention and we, ok I, may have spoiled her a bit.

I could not pick which of these was cuter, so I posted both.

She does jumparoo some, but much more limited than Sam did.  And often will end up crying and jumping unless you sit right with her.

Sam wrote foot all on her own with the example in the corner.

Now on to the sad stories.  We went to a club even that involved cooking pancakes.  Another mom took Zoey so I could help Sam.  She added her toppings to the cup of batter and I was putting the container down and she was pouring batter on a skillet in the back, she dipped her hand down too far and got a nasty burn on her wrist.  I felt awful.  She of course cried, and when I got her calmed down, tearfully proclaimed, "I will never cook again!"  You can see the evidence in the picture below, taken at one of our favorite restaurants, the red elephant.

That day was followed by a trip to the local splash park to make pizza box smores.  She proceeded to fall and cut her knee and later bumped her head.  I do not have pictures of that day, but we went back the next day and I snapped a few.

She did really enjoy the splash park, even with the injuries the first day.

Nick flew to Atlanta yesterday and is driving down a truck of some furniture my parents are giving us and some of their stuff to store.  So I have been on my own since we dropped him off in Orlando yesterday.  Last night I took Sam to McDonalds since she had been good.  After eating, I let her play.  I sat to see the big structure and did not move when she went to the toddler area.  She was playing and all of a sudden started sobbing, some bigger kid had punched her in the arm.  What a week she has had!  Hopefully we can go injury free for a bit.

More evidence below, look what we let her play with :)  This is the water gun we spray the dogs with when they bark.

Zoey jumping.

Sam spraying.

This week will be eventful as well.  Sam has swimming lessons this week.  We found a lady who says she can work with even difficult kids, and I think Sam will give her a run for her money since she hates getting her face wet and can be very dramatic.  Sam also starts school on Wednesday and is already talking about crying for a few days.  Wish us luck!

Another funny story from Sam.  The other day we were talking about what she would be when she grew up.  She said she wants to be a mommy.  I said you can be a mommy and something else and she said, just a mommy.  I said what are you going to go to college for, then.  She said, I am going to learn how to be a mommy.  I think the duh was implied in her tone :)  It used to be that she said she wanted to be a veterinarian.  Only the future will tell, but I do hope she goes to college.

Visitors and New neighbors!

We have stayed really busy lately.  So busy I have taken embarrassingly few pictures, even with grandparents visiting.

Nick parents were here last week.  His mom had a class in Orlando.  She came in early to stay with us a few days and stayed a little after as well.  His dad came for a few days at the end as well.  Poor Nick had a lot of driving to do, especially since we could not all fit in one car and we still only have one, so he had to shuttle us.  We are trying to buy a Hyundai Elantra for me and should get one in mid to late August, but it has been hard to come by what I want.  But we had a great time with his parents, even if the logistics were rough.


Sam got a lot of Grammy love!

So did Zoey!

On the day Nick took his mom back to Orlando, we had a mothers club tea party event on the north east side of town.  Nick dropped Sam and me off, got gas, drove back to our house and picked up his mom and Zoey, picked up Sam and me and drove us all to Orlando.  We dropped off his mom, ran by Ikea and Carters and then went home.  Poor Nick.  He deserves a treat! Sam had a lot of fun at the tea party.

Sam after a chocolate ice cream cone.

I bought Zoey some of the sunglasses with straps.  She was not sure at first, but I think she will adjust.  In a few weeks she will be old enough for sunscreen and some more outside time!

Another interesting thing that happened recently is that my phone fell out of my pocket and the screen broke.  We tried to see about changing and getting Nick a new phone, but I will spare you the long story and just say it would have cost an extra 10 per month.  So Nick was nice enough to replace the screen.  Quite an undertaking.  Not many days go by that I am not thankful I found him.  He treats me so well!

And in other news, my parents sold their house!  So they were down to house hunt.  They had actually made an offer on one in our neighborhood, but the owner was firm in a ridiculous price, so they came down to look at other options.  Their realtor, the same one we used, called on the way down and said the owner had come down some, but still far off reasonable based on comps.  My parents did find some good back ups, but in the end they worked out buying the one in our neighborhood.  They will be walking distance from us, which will be great.  We already have plans of how to schedule riding mower use!  And we really have built in babysitters.  I know it will make my life a lot easier since Nick will be so busy and hopefully I will one day have a full time job.  Could not imagine better neighbors.  We are so blessed in so many ways.  I am delighted my children have some amazing grandparents.

Papa is the best playmate!

Zoey has been laughing out load lately.  Of course, she toned it down when I got the camera, but here is a small sample.

And some quotes about grandparents:

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete.  ~Marcy DeMaree


Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things.  ~Author Unknown


A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart.  ~Author Unknown


Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.  Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.  ~Alex Haley


A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.  ~Author Unknown


Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren.  ~Author Unknown

5 months old!

We are keeping busy.  My mom joking referred to the fence video as proof of us breaking child labor laws, so here is more proof.  Sam recently helped Nick paint some shelves that are in our guest room (also referred to as Nana and Papa's room).

And planting blackberry bushes with Daddy.

We went to a playdate for a moms club at a local park.

This was from the 24th, when Zoey officially turned 5 months, but I did not know it was the 24th, so the panda pictures below are 1 day late.

Zoey's 5 month panda pictures.

My mom had bought all these blocks, but we just put them together.  Sam has enjoyed playing with them.  Nick made her this great castle.

 Our 2 princesses.

We are doing well.  Sam at almost 3.5 is not napping, so we are now at the rest time stage.  She needs a nap, but just does not want one.  She tests us some days, but still is a good kid and very impressive in vocabulary, imagination and curiosity.  Zoey is doing well.  She spits up a lot and has so much drool!  We joke that we will never know when she is teething.  If we do not have a bib on her, we refer to it as living dangerously, which is amusing when Sam points it out.  She still tends to get up twice per night and naps are hit or miss, but she stays pretty happy.  She can roll both ways easily and can do a belly crawl to move around.  She does not stay put!  She wants to stand a lot and I am sure will be sitting soon.  We spend a lot of time helping her balance.  She really wants to be mobile, but we keep telling her she is too young.  So far she does not seem to listen to us.  Must be those stubborn Swilley genes.  She loves watching Samantha.  They already seem to have a wonderful bond.  What a blessing they both are!

Strong genes

Here is the picture of Zoey in the high chair from the last post.  It was on 7/13, so she is 4.5 months old.

Here is Sam at 6 months, so a bit older, but no denying Zoey is related to her.

And me in December 78, so at 3 months.  Zoey may look even more like me.  Nick always jokes that he needs a DNA test since I appear to clone our kids.  Seems like I got even better :)  But they both have his nose :)

Our move...

It has been so crazy, so posting has slipped through the cracks.  Hard to believe Zoey will be 5 months old tomorrow.  It really does go by so fast.  And we have been going strong trying to get everything settled with our house.  We have made quite a few small changes, but they add up in time and money.  I figure it is time to put the move details up.

They called a few days before and said instead of packing on the Monday and loading on the Tuesday, they would do it all on Tuesday, but no big deal since they could be done by 2-4 pm.  We had prepaid the hotel, so we just used Monday to pack more ourselves and went on to the hotel.  Nick went back to the house to switch out the washer and dryer for the one owned by the landlord and feed the dogs.  I dropped him off early Tuesday morning and took the dogs to board.  The movers did show up at 7:40, but it took them 2 hours to get the truck to our house.  They had originally planed to shuttle everything in a smaller moving van rented from a town over, so it probably saved a lot of time, but it still felt ridiculous.  Sam, Zoey and I hung out in the hotel.  We watched tv, swam, went out to lunch.  Sam and Zoey were both up until 10 pm the night before, but neither napped very well.  I talked to Nick some, but his phone got low on battery, so I had to take him a charge cord.  I got everything second hand, but basically these guys were not the best packers in terms of care or efficiency.  They kept saying they would be done soon.  In the end, it was 9 pm when they finally pulled away, obviously much latter than 4 pm.  Perhaps they estimated badly, but we packed a lot and our total was just over 10,000 pounds of stuff, so not an immense amount.  But it got on the truck.  I hung  out at a friends, left Sam to go back and help Nick, and then went back to pick her up and grab some pizza myself.  We met the landlord, checked out, and went back to the hotel.  What a long day. And Nick's old boss wanted to meet him for a drink.  But the girls went to bed easier.  We got up early, got the dogs and hit the road for Atlanta.  I already posted about that part of the move.  Nick and the dogs left Atlanta early to paint and meet the movers.  Again, an experience as they were not the best and one guy got food poisoning.  But everything important seems to have made it.  We left a few outdoor things.  And despite some horrible packing, nothing really broke.  The girls and I rode down with my parents a few days later.  Zoey is not a good car rider right now.  She gets tired of being strapped up and sleeps well the first part, but cries most of the second for a 9 hour drive.  Not fun.  We got a lot done while my parents were here and the house is shaping up after a lot of time and money invested.  It never seems to end on either one.  Of course, we have bought a lot of non-necessities, but we will be here awhile so we want it to be nice.

Zoey has been filling up her time with many different activities.  We finally set up the jumparoo for her and she likes it, but not as much as Sam who could jump for hours.  She also got to exersaucer among the boxes when we first got to Lakeland.

After many iterations, we decided to fence a small area for the dogs, and even that was an undertaking.  All I can say it, be sure you know where your underground sprinkler system is before you install a fence.

Sam loves to help, so she came out to join in.  I was on the other side of the yard raking dirt into the channel around the buried fence up the hill, so that was too boring.  She went over to help Papa.  He was great giving her tasks (see the video below).

More helping.

Sam loves the pool. She always want to stick her feet in.  We did not swim for a bit until we could get the water tested.  Sam will have swimming lessons in a few weeks.

Here she is in the water.  She still hates having her face splashed or wet, but loves playing in the water.

Nana was a big help with the girls while Nick, Dad and I did everything from build a fence to add a remote to control lights and fans (they had ceiling fans but controlled only by the pull string).

Sam wrote CAT all by herself.  The "S" as well.  We were so proud.

We celebrated Nana's birthday while they were here.  Happy birthday to an amazing mother and even better grandmother.  Sam misses you a lot.  She even said she loves Nana and Papa more than Mama and Daddy.  Guess we need to give more treats and less fussing :)

Zoey hanging in the high chair.  Just chew toys for now, but food will come soon.

We got this float for $5 at Aldis of all places, so random.  We Kellings all took turns.  Sam liked being floated around.

We made a trip back to Common Ground Park.

Here is Sam helping with the fence project.

We stay so busy, unpacking, running errands, etc.  Everything is so time consuming.  The house is coming together, but it is hard.  Sam seems to have given up naps, so we are on rest time only.  Zoey is a challenge in naps as well, but doing a bit better, however, she is not much better on sleep at night, so although she slept amazing for an 8 week old she is now not so great for a 5 month old.  Oh well, we will sleep someday.