A fast one!

Ian feels like he doesn't need swim lessons and can swim as good as the next kid.  I love the self-confidence this kid has, but between me and you, Ian shouldn't be swimming in water deeper than 4 feet.  And even then, I'll feel better knowing a lifeguard is close by.

I told Ian last month, I was signing him and Sam up for lessons.  He said, "That's ok, I don't need them.  I know how to swim."  Yes, this may be true, but you can't swim for more than 7 feet without stopping to stand, catch your breath, take a moment to regroup and then decide to keep going to the other side.  This is not swimming!!  Swimming is being able to tread water, float on your back, do a few strokes, and know how to breathe without stopping.

So I agreed with Ian that maybe he doesn't need the lessons.  I told Ian they will evaluate him at the beginning and decide if lessons are even necessary.  Ian loved hearing this and was certain that once the instructors saw what he was capable of, swim lessons were going to be history!  In actuality, I knew they were going to do evaluations to decide which level was best suited for him.

I wasn't sure if he should be placed in level 2 or level 3 when signing up and said on the registration form it could be either one. I knew he hadn't been in a pool in a few months and was probably a little rusty.  Lo and behold, Ian didn't even place in the upper end of level 2.  Lower level 2 it was. 

On the day of the first lesson, Ian saw my friend Kelly and said, "I may not even need these lessons". He was all excited to get in the pool and show them what he had.  Poor thing didn't even see it coming.  Ian did the lesson and said he will go back.  So this is a good thing.  And a big pat on my back for coming up with this brilliant twist to what could've been a not-so-fun-situation, trying to let Ian know that yes, swim lessons were going to happen.

A very close call

The other day the kids and I were leaving the mall and making our way to where the car was parked.  Sam spotted my car and ran up a few feet ahead of us.  Right next to our car, was a car backing out of its spot. 

Before I had time to think, I yelled at the top of my lungs, "STOP!!!!!  SAM!!!!!!!  WATCH OUT!!!!!" 

I actually don't remember even thinking about what to say.  It was all instinct and while yelling it, I ran towards Sam to grab her from being behind this car, which still had its back-up lights on and was still backing out.  Again, another reaction that came very natural and didn't require any fore thought. It totally freaked me out. 

It was insane how close we were to watching Sam get run over.  Fortunately my yelling stopped the driver. And Sam hearing me yell, got scared and turned around to run back to me.  It all went down within 2 seconds, but those 2 seconds felt like 2 minutes of action.  My heart was racing and as I grabbed Sam to do a combination of pulling her away from danger and giving her a hug, I swear I started shaking.

I looked at Ian and he said, "My heart just broke."

I think both Ian and I couldn't believe what was about to happen.  Ian summed up his feelings in 4 words.  It was beautiful, terrifying, and earth-shattering, all in the same moment with those 4 words.

My thoughts exactly Ian.

Swimming with the fishies

And in other news....

I am very pleased to announce that Bubbly and Bubbly remain in good health and continue to thrive living in the Toppall house.

We had a few very scary days (ok, maybe a whole week, possibly 2) when the water got murkier and murkier.  Jeff and I each went into crisis mode trying to figure out what we were doing wrong.  We changed the filter two weeks earlier than needed.  And we kept adding more and more neutralizer to the water (not realizing the other of us was also doing this!).  Finally, like fog rising on cloudy day, the water started clearing up and presto, you can now see the fish clearly.  But for a while there, I would walk by Sam's room frequently and take a look at the aquarium with one eye closed.  I figured if they weren't going to survive, it would be better for me to find them floating belly up than Sam.

The little guys seem happy.  And Sam loves having them under her care and close by.  She is motivated to get dressed faster in the morning and put her pajamas on at night, knowing she can feed them after she is done. 

Tales from the Crypt

I've been settling in to my new job.  I have to say, it is a bit refreshing to be doing something that doesn't involve kids. Every day I work for The Man is like stringing together a bunch of clues and solving little mysteries.  Most days I leave his place shaking my head on what I was able to accomplish with the very little information I was given.  This job is not for the faint of heart or those who wish for everything to have a sense of order.

For the first 45 minutes or so each time we meet, we spend going over his to-do list.  WHY, OH WHY can't I just get started on completing the list from yesterday?  No, because now the #1s may no longer be a #1.  These items may get demoted to a #3.  And then the other day, I was a given a #Two and a half.  Really.   Then you get something important like make 2 reservations for an upcoming performance and that is given a #3.  Really?  Hello!  This is a show you want to go to.  It is in less than a month.  Let me get you these tickets now!   No, that's not the way it works.  You take care of all the Top Priorities and then the #1s before even thinking of tackling a #2.  At this rate, I'll never get to the #3s.   And each day it starts all over again.

Our conversation the other day:

The Man:  I need you to make this call, email this person, oh and this is a top priority to do this.... and, within the 1st five calls, I want you to get this person on the phone.  A #1 is to find out if this bill is on auto pay.  See if you can locate the back-up list of my cell phone numbers -- not sure where you should look for that.  That is an item for Today.   And here is the fax number for my church. xxx-xxx-xxxx.  In the first 5 calls, we need to contact this person.  Find out if Costco carries the toner I need in the xerox machine.  Need to do a bank wire transfer - How much information can I put in the memo on the transfer?  Get the bank manager on the line.  Need to speak to the manager of Avis in the California location -- that is a Top Priority.  I want to write a letter to the postmaster telling them how pleased I was they found the right address for a letter they forwarded to me.  We need to find out who the postmaster is to send this to.  That is a Top Priority.

Me:  I have a question -- do you want me to put the fax # to the church in your rolodex?

The Man:  No, it's already in there.

Me:  Ok, under what circumstances do you see me needing the fax # to your church?  You don't have a fax machine to fax them anything.

The Man:  You probably don't need the fax # at all.  I just want you to have it.

Me:  Um, Ok.

Adventures are us!

I am absolutely loving this time with Ian.  He is at wonderful age to try new things. Ian's spirit for adventure is at an all-time high.  There have been many things that up until last year, Ian was simply too young to partake.  No more.  For the past several months, I've been getting in some quality one-on-one time with my son while having fun on the weekends.



Ice Sakting!



Looking very serious getting ready for Laser Tag!

 

Rock Climbing!

 

Go Ian!

 I look forward to our next adventure...Ian has mentioned wanting to ski.  Maybe next Winter we will make that happen.  Have helmet, will travel.  :)

Heard and Observed XXXIII

Sam's bedtime is 7:30pm.  Sometimes even earlier if she is extra cranky as we head into the 7:00pm hour.  The other night, Jeff gave Sam her bath and got her into pajamas.  As he was telling her it was time for her to pick out a book to read, Sam decides to head downstairs to join Ian in playing.

Jeff:  Sam, no. Come back here.  It's time for bed. 

Sam:  NO, I WANT TO GO TO BED AT 8:33, LIKE LAST YEAR!!!!

Jeff:  What?

Sam:  YOU KNOW, 8:33pm LIKE LAST YEAR!

How bizzare!  8:33pm?  What an odd time for her to say. And we've never told her that her bedtime was anything later than 7:30pm.

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Sam puts her finger in her ear and pulls out some ear wax.  She looks at it and says, "How did that booger get in there?"

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Me:  Ian, tell me my phone number again (testing to make sure he still remembers my cell phone #).

Before Ian can open his mouth to answer, Sam quickly recites the home phone number.

OMG!  This is unbelievable. What a surprise!!  Way to go Sam!

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Yum-O!

In my circle of peeps, I am not known for my cooking.  There was an incident back in my single days, when I had to knock on the door of my neighbor (who also happens to be one of my BFFs, Ivy) and figure out what I was doing wrong in making pancakes (from a mix!).

And knowing I was about to get married, my biggest fear was how I'd get dinner on the table every day when I was more than happy to eat popcorn and call it a night.  Jeff is still in shock that in my 30+ years, I never learned how to make a basic grilled cheese sandwhich.

Unfortunately the kids and husband have come to learn that when the smoke detector goes off, it means dinner is done and ready. Scary that no one is worried the house is on fire and should run to safety.  Instead, everyone runs to the table.

Every now and then I hit upon a winner.  A dish so simple and easy to make, that you can't mess it up.  A dish so tasty and mouth watering, that everyone wants seconds and thirds.  A dish that can feed a good number of people, and makes vegetarians and meat-eaters both equally happy.  And most importantly, a dish that can be assembled the night before and cooked right before it will be served.  This dish is good for breakfast, brunch and most definitely entertaining.  Actually, my mom just made it and served it with dinner at a little party she hosted.

I didn't realize how insanely popular my CHEESY EGG CASSEROLE was until last week, when I had not one, but two people request the recipe from me again.  I believe I first debuted this dish about 6 years ago.  Since then I've probably made it for approx. 4 or 5 different groups of people over the years who came to the house for brunch.  Even when I don't make it for several months, I still get requests all the time wanting the recipe.  These people are still remembering how great it was that one time I made it for them.

Without further ado, I'd like to introduce you all to one of the best recipes I know.  Credit needs to be given to Al Gore, who invented the internet.  heheehheehee.  No seriously, I did a google search one day (many moons ago) and found it online.  It is a favorite recipe of a bed and breakfast in Nacogdoches, Texas; The Haden Edwards Inn.

THE CHEESY EGG CASSEROLE

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup cottage cheese

One 4-ounce can chopped green chiles, drained

2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese

One 4-ounce jar whole pimentos

Combine flour, salt, and butter in a large bowl; add eggs, cottage cheese, chilies, and shredded cheese. Mix well. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 10 x 6 x 2-inch baking dish. Garnish with pimentos. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. This can be prepared the night before and cooked the next morning.

Serves: 6 to 8

Some items to note:  I double the whole thing to make it a little thicker.  Therefore, it needs additional cooking time...like closer to 40 minutes, maybe 45.  Just check it frequently to see if it still looks loose or not.  Also, I cut out using the pimentos.  I think this taste took away from the dish.

Oh and for the record, I make a mean grilled cheese sandwhich now.  :)