And one more just for kicks...

Hand Me Down

1. Have you ever worn hand-me-downs? I don't think so. I was the oldest in my family, and of the grandkids so there was no one to hand things down to me. Who did you get them from? uh, didn't we just discuss that...

2. Have you ever given hand-me-downs? Yes. Who did you give them to? My sister, Lori - not just clothes that I wore when we were younger, but now clothes for little Cindy Lou!

3. How do you feel about hand-me-downs in general? It's weird. I have absolutely no problem with hand-me-downs when it comes to maternity clothes or to my kids' clothes. But as far as my "regular" clothes, I don't think I would wear them. I know, I'm strange like that. Do you like the idea of recycling things or does it bother you to have something used? As anyone who knows me well can tell you, I am anti-recycling! As mentioned before, I don't have a problem with used maternity clothes (no idea why). And I hand down my kids underwear and socks, but I would NEVER wear anyone else's used underwear - I often think about that when I'm putting the boys' underwear away.

4. Do you ever visit yard sales? (maybe you call them garage sales, tag sales, junk sales, etc...) Never.

5. If given $25,000 to buy furniture and decorate your home, would you buy new pieces or antiques? New, new, new. Why? I guess I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to furniture. I would always wonder who sat on that couch before me - did they bathe, or did they sit on it when they weren't wearing any clothes???? I also don't have the patience to go searching for really nice antiques.

So there you have it; a little more insight into my world.
HT: Five on Fridays

Friday Summertime Fill-In Fun

So, I'm being fairly unoriginal, but this past week of scorching heat has really fried my brain. Since I hadn't posted anything in a few days, I decided to "google" blog memes. I found this one at Fond of Snape, and figured I'd give it a go. I promise to get more creative in the next couple of days.

1. On a hot summer's day sitting in a cool pool is my favorite thing!

2. When I think of summertime fun, I think of slip-n-slides, baseball games & watching fireflies at dusk.

3. Ben 'n Jerry's Vermonty Python is my favorite flavor of ice cream.

4. My new favorite drink is Coca-Cola Cherry Zero (ETA - I'm also a big fan of Miller Chill if I'm looking for a grown-up drink).

5. One of my happiest summertime memories is from my childhood. We would go to be going to South Padre Island in TX. I would get up with my dad to watch the sunrise and then we would walk down the road to this little store and buy donuts for my brother and sister, and I would get a cherry turnover. As an adult, my happiest summertime memories are from the summer of 2000 - when I met Chris and we were in that blissful "getting to know one another" time

6. The best place to watch fireworks (or submarine races) is either from my front yard (not for much longer :-( ), or at the Potomac Nationals MiLB game!

7. What are you doing this weekend? Tonight I'm looking forward to going to dinner with David & Lala to break the news about moving, tomorrow my plans include getting a pedicure/manicure (Mother's Day present) and going to our old neighbors' new house for a house warming party and Sunday, I want to go to Mass in the morning, and then go to my parents' house for an afternoon of swimming at "Club McDonald" before they move away!

And if you are reading this, you can consider yourself tagged for a summertime fill-in-the-blank meme. Copy, and change me anwers in red to your answers (duh!). Just leave me a message in the comments section so I'll know to check out your answers.

What my family means...

or at least what our names mean!

What Chris Means

C is for Cheeky H is for Humorous R is for Refreshing I is for Impassioned S is for Sincere

What Does Your Name Mean?

What Cindy Means

C is for Charismatic I is for Irresistible N is for Nerdy D is for Dashing Y is for Young

What Does Your Name Mean?

What Brian Means

B is for Bright R is for Remarkable I is for Intense A is for Altruistic N is for Nutty

What Does Your Name Mean?

What Sean Means

S is for Strong E is for Elegant A is for Active N is for Neat

What Does Your Name Mean?

What Colin Means

C is for Captivating O is for Overwhelming L is for Likeable I is for Intense N is for Nervy

What Does Your Name Mean?

Swimming 101

Brian & Sean have graduated from the Preschool Swimming Lessons! It was an exhausting 2 weeks, but I am so glad we enrolled them.

The concept of swimming lessons was an exciting one for both Brian & Sean. However, once we got to the reality of going to the lesson and seeing 2 of the 4 other class participants crying, the boys weren't so sure about the concept of getting in the pool with this stranger. I literally chased Brian around the pool deck to catch him. I paid good money for these lessons, and darn it, he was going to enjoy them! After my friend's daughters pried the boys off of my legs and carried them into the pool, things got a little better. They were still unsure of Ms. Courtney, but at least they were in the water and weren't screaming. Keep in mind, this is only a half hour lesson, and what I just described was only Day1!

Day 2 was Brian's day to shine. He got in the pool without a lot of prodding and kicked his feet while holding onto the barbell. Sean, on the other hand, was a little more freaked out reluctant. Once again, little girls were a big help!

Day 3 we had a little role reversal. I guess Sean thought more about it, and fell in love with Ms. Courtney. You should have heard the love in his voice when he told you his teacher's name! He was ready to fly - or swim - to the ends of the earth for Ms. Courtney. Brian, inherited the shy gene from Sean and refused to leave the house/car to go to swimming lessons. We had more leg prying, but eventually he did get in the pool at the end of the lesson, and had a huge grin on his face the whole time he was paddling around.

Chris was off for Day 4, so he took them to the pool, and had no problems with them - some people have all the luck!

The second week of lessons was pretty much a repeat of Day 3. However my friend Cindy M. was my lifesaver this week and just picked Brian up and took him over to Ms Courtney for me. After that, no problems. Of course we had to repeat that every day.

By the time lessons were complete, both Brian and Sean had learned how to put their faces in the water and blow bubbles, swim on their own (holding onto a barbell), float on their backs for 5 seconds with assistance, and Brian was even able to float by himself for 3 seconds.

They know how to get in and out of the pool by themselves as well.

We practiced all of our new skills over at Club McDonald this weekend and impressed Gramma and Grampa to no end. What a difference these lessons made in their confidence in the water.

Summer Fairs

Check out the different Summer Fairs that are being hosted by these lovely ladies. Hope to see your submissions throughout the summer. Note that I'll be hosting (gulp!) the Summer Vacations Fair. I hope I do your submissions justice!

Summer Food on July 9 (Sarah will be your hostess)

Little Boys on July 16 (Monica will be your hostess)
Summer Reading July 23 (Sarah R. will be your hostess)
The Seashore on July 30 (Elaine will be your hostess)
Clearing the Clutter August 6 (Lorri will be your hostess)
Summer Gardens August 13 (Ruth will be your hostess)
"Back-to-School" Supplies and Lesson Plans August 20 (Kim will be your hostess)
Summer Vacations August 27 (Cindy will be your hostess)