Monday-no Thursday Musings!

• It's taken me all week to blog!  I have been busy MOST of the time!  :-)  Actually as I sit to blog now, all 3 kids start crying for various reasons.  Sheesh.  It's never a dull moment around here. 
• I had an awesome birthday weekend/week!  I used to have what I called a birthday month, but since having kids I've condensed it down a bit-ha!  I got lots of nice things and felt very special.  I had two family dinners, with most all the same people at both.  We haven't figured out why we did it that way, so we may combine next year.  I have to say, I wasn't complaining with two delicious meals, and two nights of family time!  :-) 
• We started swimming lessons back up yesterday.  As with much that we do, we started with drama.  Emilynn hopped right into the pool at the Y.  I was turned around getting the boys out of their shoes/shirts when she started screaming.  Apparently, she decided to do a flip in the pool, in the 1 foot water and hit her head on the bottom.  The lifeguard saw it and comes rushing over, and her swim teacher and I jump in to see what's going on.  She had a HUGE red spot right smack dab in the middle of her forehead.  Then the aquatics director comes flying over with ice.  They ended up having to file an incident report, but all Emilynn was worried about was getting to do her lesson.  So, we started back to the pool with a bang and flair, that's for sure.  We had a LONG talk about not doing flips in the shallow water.  She did still get to do her lesson, and thank the Lord she wasn't hurt. 
• As for how the lessons went, I was worried since we had 3 weeks off, but the kids did great!  The teacher said they picked up like we hadn't even had a break.  Emilynn is halfway through what she needs to do to pass her very first swim test!  She can swim across the 5 foot area one way!  You have to do two ways to earn your yellow neck band.  We are in all red bands now.  I think with a yellow band she can swim without her puddle jumper, and maybe even go down the slide without me standing there-which would be huge.  It is next to impossible for me to let her do the slides now, because I have to be right there.  I also have to be within an arm's length of the boys.  This translates to them both clinging to me for dear life, while waiting for Emmy to slide down.   It's 5 foot of water, and I'm only 5'5", so I am on my tippy toes while the boys are trying to drown me.  It's very difficult.  The main reason I'm so proud of her though is because she needs to learn to swim to be safe around water.  She swims a lot on her back, and they want to get her swimming more on her front too, so we are going to work on that.  Carson has done great as well, he was blowing bubbles like crazy yesterday and going under a little bit.  That is HUGE for him, as he doesn't even like to have his hair washed.  He is definitely much more comfortable in the water.  The teacher does great practicing his swimming and floating, and she distracts him a lot because he wants to stop all the time.  My kids have such different personalities.  She is great at working with each one individually.  Carson is also floating on his back a little bit, another HUGE achievement for him.  Henry doesn't do the lessons, but the teacher will do a little with him at the end for fun.  She sometimes asks me if she can go under with him, and I always say yes.  Does that make me a mean Momma?  I hope not!  He is starting to love the water too.  Anyway, we are doing once a week private lessons now, so that will stretch our money a bit further verses twice per week.  We still both agree this needs to be a priority, and we will continue through winter and just swim year round. 
• Our chickens are great-and laying awesome!  I am loving having them.  Dustin ordered me some BOGS work boots for my birthday, and got me pink John Deere work gloves from tractor supply.  I am turning into a farm girl yet!  :-)  I guess I'll retire my flip flops I've been using for chicken care.  Dustin says I can't be in the chicken pen in flip flops, it's gross.  The boots will also come in handy if I have to do anything with the cows.  It is rare that I do, but sometimes my father-in-law does need my help when everyone else is working or busy.  I laugh and say he must be desperate when he asks for my help!  I really don't mind though and enjoy the animals.  
• My cousin and I are having a yard sale Saturday, and the bi-yearly consignment sale I sell stuff in is next week.  I am busy sorting and organizing stuff!  Dustin has finally convinced me to sell most of our strollers.  I am nervous about it-which sounds silly but they were my independence when the kids were small!  I keep thinking why in the world did I agree to a yard sale, but I'm always glad to make a little extra money and get rid of stuff afterwards.  It's just a lot of work!  Plus Saturday we have soccer, and the harvest festival at Dustin's Dad's church.  I'll update how we do!  I hope to get some money for Christmas. 
• Well, we are off to have lunch with Amanda.  For the last time-sniff sniff!  Today is her last day at her current job.  Her new job will only be part time, so I am really excited for her.  Even though we won't be meeting her for lunch, hopefully we'll see a lot more of her.  I think these occasions are always filled with mixed emotions.  I know she will miss her old co-workers, and I will miss running by to see her and have lunches out.  Sometimes our lunches (without kiddos) are the only time we can seem to find to catch up and connect without kids.  We will just figure out another time to do that!  Family should always be first, and this is a great move for my nephews as they will get a lot more time with Mommy.