08.22.11

This morning the girls and I met a friend at the 3rd Street pool. I was surprised to find it empty when we arrived. Usually during the summer, and in this heat, swimming is one of the only activities you can tolerate that isn't in your air conditioned house.  It was kind of nice to have the entire pool to ourselves. Madeline and Abigail had a good time swimming in the kiddie pool, and then we eventually moved over to the big pool to play on the steps.  Madeline got brave enough, at one point, to jump off the side into my arms, but we still have a long way to go when it comes to swimming.  I think I will sign her up for swim lessons next time they are offered to get her more familiar with the water. 

I've never been a "water lover." I wouldn't choose a day at the beach over a day shopping or seeing a movie.  So we don't go swimming much.  I think I can count the number of times we have been swimming here in Saudi on one hand... well two hands, unless I had 6 fingers, cause I think it's about 6 times now.  I thought Mads might turn out to be a water lover, and who knows maybe she still will if we give her the opportunity, but I think she is more of a nature, dirt lover.  Which saddens me a bit cause there are not mountains here.  Not the kind of beautiful, green, high, rocky kind of mountains I grew up next to.  So I think places like that will be high on our list of future vacations.

I brought along the lily pad baby floaty tube thing (sort of like the one in this picture but dark green with a pink flower in the center) and it made a perfect swimming walker for Abigail.  She was walking all over the kiddie pool with it and was kicking and lounging... she had a great time. I didn't take the camera because it clearly states in the swimming rules that cameras are not aloud. I regret this decision because, like I said, there was NO ONE there and it was such an adorable moment!

On our way out to the parking lot we had a rough time.  It was really humid today and it made for a hot afternoon.  The car was cooking and so were both the girls carseats.  To make matters worse, Madeline decided to walk into the car door just as I opened it and bash her forehead.  I was holding the baby and all our bags when this happened.  I was sure we would all suffer from heat stroke before we got home, but we made it. 



Mads playing with my iPad


After baths, we decided to watch a movie and eat lunch upstairs in my room.  Normally we would never do this, but we were all tired from swimming and it's fun to cuddle up in a comfy bed and watch a movie and eat.  Plus today was "change the sheets" day so crumbs didn't matter much.  We all ended up falling asleep.  I rarely take naps and when I do I feel a little wierd.  Sort of like I am breaking some kind of rule or like I am in the twilight zone. I'm not sure why because naps are so freakin' awesome.

A family down the street is moving and for some reason they are selling a huge amount of their belongings, so after we all woke up from our naps, I headed over to look at what they were selling.  Most of their large items had already sold, which is good for them.  I was just excited because no one had taken... The Crockpot. 


Abs gettin' her crawl on

 When Paul and I got married I bought a small crockpot.  It was really, really small.  It was enough for two people just starting out in life though, and it was cute.  We rarely used it though so when we moved, I gave it away.  Ever since then I have planned on getting my own real, big one.  Like my mom had when I was growing up.  There are SO MANY things you can make in a crockpot. Now that I am more intrested in cooking, and now that Paul will eat and try more things compared to when we were first married and he was so darn picky, I have had this yearning for crockpot cooking. 

So, I bought the crockpot and a wall mirror.  They were good purchases and I am happy.  I will divulge you on my first crockpot meal when I make it.



Paul reading stories to the girls

 After dinner Paul took Mads out to the swings for a while and then it was home to get ready for bed. 

P.S. Madeline is going potty just fine again.  I guess we just had a couple of bad days with #2. I'll leave you with that pot.... I mean thought.