Swim Class {take #2: aka Raiger}

We've had an action packed day full of swimming. My children are sleeping. I'm eating Milk Duds & blogging... life is good! :)

Little Sister had her turn at swim lessons this morning. I was going to put her in in a couple weeks but with a little changing of schedules she started this morning. She wasn't a fan of it, but also didn't claw my eyes out and scream either! So, I'm pleased with the outcome from day 1! Morgan was there in full force to help encourage her sister so I think that helped tremendously. Morgan will be in school tomorrow so it may be another story.

Morgan had her last lesson today. She's learning to bring her head out of the water to breathe so she can continue to swim as long as she'd like. I'm very proud of her and she's come so very far in just a short week. She's a little swimmer and has listened to Ms. Michelle and uses her arms and legs like a big girl. Again, like I said last week, if you have a toddler I highly recommend you give this swimming thing a try.

I'm hoping to get a picture of her whole class... Tami?! I'll post it soon! They sure are a cute crowd and I certainly enjoyed the company of all the Moms. I wish we could do it once a week!

3-tierd Skirt Tutorial & Floor Chairs

Just a quick post to answer a few questions...

I originally made Morgan's tierd skirt using this tutorial... it includes a "formula" which can be used to make a tierd skirt for a person of any size or age. However, I've yet to try one for an adult. If you'd like my own personal pattern (which would work for a girl between the ages of 2 1/2 & 4 (maybe even 5) here ya go:

Using 12" of fabric & 3/4" elastic (usually between 18"-21"-- depending on your child's waistline)

Cut (or tear-- see info below on tearing fabric) the top tier 4" deep by 27 1/2" long

Cut the middle tier 4" deep by 37 1/2" long

Cut the bottom tier 4" deep by 46" long (or 44" if your fabric is just 44"-- either way it's wide enough for them to walk in)

Just a reminder you should cut your 4" strips from selvage to selvage (not down the length of the fabric but across the width)

TEARING FABRIC: Most fabrics will tear and tearing fabric ensures a perfectly straight line (just make sure to test it first before you start tearing... if it doesn't tear straight you'd be up a creek). To tear fabric (that's tearable) cut a 1" snip (making sure you cut through the selvage and then tear away.

Step 1: Take the bottom tier of fabric and sew 2 gathering stitches along the top of it. Gathering stitches are straight stitches that are longer in length... on my machine a normal stitch length is 2.5 and I bump it up to 6 (I unfortunately don't know what either of those numbers mean though). Sew one gathering stitch 1/4" from the top and the next one 1/2" from the top. Then holding on to the bobbin thread of each of these stitches cinch the fabric up until it is gathered to the width of the middle tier. Even out the gathered fabric so your "ruffles" are even across the width of the fabric and pin it to the middle tier with right sides together. Sew (or serge if you have a serger) the two tiers together between the 2 gathering stitches. If you don't have a serger: once you sew the two tiers together go back and zig-zag along the raw edges fabric just beside the straight stitch you just sewed... this will keep the fabric from unraveling.

Step 2: Take the middle tier and sew 2 gathering stitches along the top of it. Gather it to the width of the top tier. With right sides together sew (or serge) the top tier to the middle tier. If you don't serge it go back and zig zag along the raw edges.

Step 3: With right sides together pin & sew the back seam of the skirt. (Once again zig-zag the raw edge.)

Step 4: At this point you can determine if the length is appropriate for your daughter/granddaughter, etc and if you need to adjust the length you can do so in the hem. Fold under the hem (bottom tier) two times and hem.

Step 5: If the skirt is still too long you can also adjust the length by making your casing for the elastic at the top larger. At the top of the skirt fold under (towards the inside of the skirt) 1/4" and then again the width of your elastic + a 1/4" or so. Sew a straight stitch 1/8" from the top of the skirt all the way around. Then sew another straight stitch below it (the distance apart of these two will depend on the width of your elastic) leaving a 1" opening to insert your elastic. Measure your child's waist and cut the elastic 1" smaller than their waist. Using a safety pin on the end of your elastic feed your elastic through the waistband casing (making sure not to let go of the end while you feed it through). Sew the elastic together once you've fed it all the way through. And close up the 1" opening at the bottom of the casing. VOILA! You're done! :) (Let me know if you need pictures to accompany and I'll snap some to add to the instructions next time I make one!?)

The floor chairs in these pictures came from Target.... of course they don't have them any more but they have these that are kinda similar. But mine were a LOT less & fold completely flat. I think I bought everyone I could find in Tallahassee and sent Erika to her Target for 6 more. I think I have 10 of them! (they were $3.07 on clearance!). They're great for kids and for mom's who want to sit on the side of the pool (and not snag their bathing suits). They have 3 or 4 reclining positions and lay completely flat. I have 'em in pink, green and navy. They were out at Target around "Back to School" season--- probably in the "dorm room" section, do y'all know what I'm talking about? The best part is they lay completely flat and store on the top shelf of the closet!

I smell {free} CHICKEN!

Y'all know me... if it's free, I'm in! Well this morning when I woke to a nightmare at 5:19 am and made my way to the kitchen shortly thereafter, I realized I inadvertently purchased Dunkin' Decaf coffee rather than REGULAR! Oh the travesty! So, I decided I'd go to McD's for some of their premium coffee. I had a pep talk w/myself on the way there that I was just going to buy coffee... which is hard to do when you see their menu and your about to pop open with a child in your womb. But then what to my wondering eyes did appear? But a sign that said "FREE" Chicken Biscuit! Ahhh haaa! I remembered that my friend Chris had posted about this special offer a couple weeks ago on his blog... but the date was in one ear eye and out the other.

So I just finished scarfing it down (of course I brought the hubby one too) and it was worth the coffee to get the biscuit (all white meat breast-- I must add)! The offer is good from 7 am to 7pm with the purchase of a medium or large drink. If you can't get there for breakfast you can get a Southern Style Chicken Sandwich for lunch or dinner! It comes with pickles & butter and tastes somewhat similar to Chik-fil-A! When Cousin was in town a few weeks ago I treated her to lunch at McDonald's {I'm still laughing about it-- we even "dined in"& had shared dessert} and she had the Southern Style Chicken and it was pretty tasty.... and things are even better when they're free! So run to McDonald's and enjoy lunch on me! :)

Prayer Request & Swimming

Today upon arriving at Morgan's "Survival Swim Class" I learned of a precious 2 year old boy who drowned this morning in our town. My heart is sick with grief and I can't imagine how this family is doing tonight. As Justin tucks the girls in bed I can't help but think that it could be me grieving the loss of one of mine tonight. My niece's nanny lives in the same apartment complex and it could have been her. Please pray for this family. When I hear of tragedies like this it makes me all the more grateful for what Morgan is learning this week. It is not important that she learn to swim it is absolutely vital. And to think that I fussed about the fence going up around our pool. I urge you {ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A POOL OR BODY OF WATER NEAR YOUR HOUSE} to find something similar to what Morgan is doing and sign your toddler up. Never in a million years would I have thought my child would learn to swim in 3 days. She went from kicking, screaming, pulling me in, and running away on Monday to jumping off the diving board in 10 feet of water on Wednesday. Do I think this means she's not at risk for drowning in our pool? No. But I do think her chances of surviving a fall into our pool are exponentially greater than they were on Monday! Monday she would have drowned; Wednesday she would kick her feet and swim to the side. I'm going to embed two short videos to show you her in action today.

Paige even had a try at swimming in class today. At 22 months I didn't enroll her in the class, but now that I see what Morgan can do I intend to enroll her in a couple weeks. She went to the wall 4 times under water today and I think a few more times and she'd have the hang of it! Is it easy to see your 22 month old child dunked under water and pushed to a wall? No. But I guarantee it's a lot less painful than finding her unresponsive in our pool.

I have a video of her jumping off the diving board to the instructor and swimming to the side but for some reason it continues to fail to upload to YouTube. If I get it figured out I'll add it later! For now there are just 2... video 1 is in 10 feet of water... video 2 is in the shallow end.

Wordless Wednesday

Oh MY! {and lots more}

This isn't exactly how she responded to swim lessons! :)

the Raiger sitting pretty (photo by MommaSissy)

Well we're back... she's hoarse from screaming and I'm soaking wet from being dragged in the pool by a 3 year old. But I'd say it's going to be a success. There's nothing slow and steady about the "survival method". There were 8 kids and 1 teacher. She cut to the chase and took one at a time and shoved them under the water while pushing them to the side and told them to kick. Morgan did great the first time... the next 4 or 5 she acted like she was going to die (and nearly ripped my clothes off in the process) but did fine getting to the wall once she was in the instructors arms. She ran away out of the pool, through the gate and into the side yard (at someone else's house) and screamed "I'm never coming back to swim lessons again!" But she finally warmed up to the idea (probably because I told her we weren't leaving) and by 1/2 way through she sat on the steps and would go to the instructor when it was her turn... I was shocked. There was no "doggie paddling" or "bubble blowing" under the water. Basically she just puts 'em under (with a shove to the wall) and tells them to kick and showed them how to move their arms (like the breast stroke). No child choked, drowned, or threw up... and this is all surprising. She doesn't tell them to hold their breath or anything... they all just did! It's really quite amazing! So I'm very impressed and can't wait to see the final result on Friday! I'd say day 1 was successful and maybe she'll be doing the butterfly by Friday! :) I'll be sure to get some pictures/video footage soon. I've honestly never been so proud of her! I wish Justin were there to see her!

Now to catch up on the last week or so! I pretty much hit a wall last week. I thought it was being very pregnant with 2 toddlers but my doctor informed me of low hemoglobin & low hemocrit levels (not really sure what either of those are) apparently both have to do with an iron deficiency... so now I'm on iron supplements on top of prenatal vitamins and I was hoping for a miraculous wave of energy! Haven't seen it yet but I'm still praying! :)

We had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed the fellowship of some friends on Friday night along with MommaSissy, who came to visit us this weekend! The Raiger came down with croup on Friday... for about the 3rd or 4th time her short life. She was pitiful with a 102 fever and felt crummy all weekend. Several sleepless nights and a round of steriods and she's finally starting to feel better. My sweet husband treated me to a Mother's Day goody at PC's Nursery. Erika and I went on Saturday and had so much fun looking at their amazing selection of plants! If you live in Dothan and have never been it's worth the short drive. The most enjoyable part about our visit at PC's was this precious little face I found tucked in the begonias.... isn't she a precious little kitty!? I was so thankful that I never leave home without my camera! If she were mine I'd have to name her "Ruby Begonia" that's a name my mom always uses... I don't even know where it came from.

After a quick hot trip to PC's I was pretty much spent for the day. I'm certain Erika thinks I've morphed into a 90 year-old. Erika generously offered to stay home with the sick Raiger on Mother's Day so Justin and I could go to church! Thanks Sister! Justin's mom treated us to a wonderful and delicious Mother's Day lunch after church and Justin and I had an absolutely delightful Sunday afternoon lounging by the pool while the girls slept! I wouldn't have changed a thing!

We watched 2 movies this weekend that I thought I would recommend... it's always nice to have a recommendation on a movie before you waste your time and money on one! Friday we watched August Rush and on Sunday night we watched Bella both were worth the time and money! :)

And here's one more of MS and her "babies". They may never come back to see us again because Faby wasn't a very hospitable hostess... she bit Paisely on the face & sent her home with scars!

1989

Morgan insisted on "3 tails" this morning.... I exceeded all her expectations with 4 tails! Can anyone say "1989"? We're off in 1 hour for "SURVIVAL SWIM LESSONS" you can pray for her (& me) if you get a second... we'd appreciate it for sure! From my understanding she will learn to swim in just 5 days... but not necessarily the way she'd like... SLOW & STEADY! It's more like throw 'em in and let 'em learn the hard way! Yikes! I'll be sure to report once we get home...

The Raiger

New Wheels...

Before I start this post I will give you a little background on what you are about to see! As you will see in our "About Us" column on the side of this blog, my husband is an Archaeologist. He is self-employed and has been for about a year now. However, for a reason unknown to us (perhaps a weak economy), it hasn't been quite as lucrative as we had hoped. So, being the responsible, hardworking husband & father that he is, he has taken on a second profession... "Straw Man" (as in PINE STRAW). In the north y'all use bark chips to fill your flower beds; in the south we use pine straw. In a nutshell, he hires crews to rake and bail pine plantations (& occasionally he will attempt to assist with such duties to only be put to shame by them). He rakes on family land, his friend Neal's land and he has several rented "fields" of Slash Pine. It has proven to be rather profitable for him and he thoroughly enjoys his work. I am growing to appreciate it because it does pay the bills. It does take him from home more than I'd like but "no pain, no gain". He also supplies a TON of local landscapers with straw... which in turn we are able to trade for our personal yard services. This is a treat we never thought we would be able to have but trading is beneficial to both. If he could only find a "housekeeper" who needed straw and we could trade with her... hmm, maybe one day.

With that said, I will show you his new truck. He's so excited he could hardly sleep the first night he got it. I really felt like he had turned into a 7 year old on Christmas Eve. His truck (a 2002 Ford F-150) was struggling to pull a full load of pine straw and eating up his gas... so he decided he needed something bigger (F-350 dually {as in dual rear wheels}), louder (diesel), older (1996), and with more miles (288,000) and he is in love. He called me yesterday on his way home and because it's so big (50 ft long with the trailer) it doesn't fit in our driveway. He asked if the girls and I wanted to come see it up close parked out front. How could I break his heart and say "no"? So out we went and here's what transpired. Sorry it's in 4 parts... I can't figure out how to keep it small enough for YouTube so they're all under a minute.

In the first video Justin refers to Turtle Man. If you haven't seen it and are up for a little entertainment I suggest you watch.


We accompanied Justin on his "straw" delivery and had a great time. When we got to the neighborhood I was quite surprised at the response of all the neighbors. These people came out of the woodwork to buy pine straw. You really would have thought we were driving an ice cream truck with all the bells & whistles! We came home with a lot less bails and had a great time while we were there. The same event transpired this morning when we made a delivery to another cul-de-sac. The lady we delivered to made a few calls to all her neighbors and Justin had a lot of unloading to do! It's fun to see him in action!

Justin in action with his #1 helper by his side

Our little outing put a dent in the trailer load

It's late and I'm absolutely exhausted. Hope everyone has a very restful and blessed Sunday!

Never Leave a Child (or 2) Unattended with...

S P R I N K L E S