The Olympics...so far





As predicted in my last post, I've been keeping my eye on these Olympics, at least as much as is possible. I just like them. They're fun, engaging, and for the most part, exciting. Plus who doesn't like good sportsmanship and healthy competition (hear that ejected Badminton players!)? I've had some observation about the Olympics so far, so I'll try to bullet point them as much as possible.

• The Opening Ceremonies - ok, so it was not like Beijing. But c'mon people, what could be? Danny Boyle admittedly said he couldn't compete with the scope that was the Beijing Opening Ceremonies, so he didn't try. And I personally think he did a good job. Some parts were a little slow or just odd (the teenage love/cell phone part was a bit of a headscratcher, although I got what they were going for), but it was overall a good time. Plus, the inclusion, no matter how small, of JK Rowling made it tops in my book!

• I did have some high hopes for the men's gymnastics team after the qualifying round, and while it was disappointing to see them slip, they still are a great team and should be roundly applauded for their efforts. They did a whole lot better than I could have done.
• While we're on the subject of gymnastics, yay USA Women!! They were just so awesome last night. To win by 5 points is a pretty spectacular thing (from what I understand). And let me just say McKayla Maroney, you deserved a perfect score. You are amazing. And to Jordyn Wieber, way to be. On that note...

•  Jordyn Wieber is a 16 year old girl who just saw her dreams fall apart a little bit...get the cameras out of her face. Let her grieve this in peace. I was quite annoyed by that. But not as annoyed as by the rule that kept her out of the All-Around competition. It should be the top 24 period, no matter what country they're from. If they're one of the best, let them compete with the best.
• Gabby Douglas is possibly the cutest thing ever.
• One last gymnastics note...Aliya Mustafina...tone it down a notch. You are going to stroke out at 20 if you keep it up. You have a team silver medal, that's still pretty darn awesome.
• What is with all the Michael Phelps backlash? Seriously people, do you secretly have 20 Olympic medals, making you a superior (and far more judgmental) athlete? He just became the most decorated Olympian EVER. Who cares if they're bronze, silver, or gold (which most of them are)? That is simply awe-inspiring. He'll be a better swimmer at 80 than I was at 15.

• I think I'm still trying to get my head around synchronized diving. It just strikes me oddly. I totally get the challenge, but there is just something about it.
• I hate playing volleyball, but watching it is another story. Especially Kerri and Misty. I mean, they've never lost a SET in Olympic competition. Kerri has had 2 kids in the past 4 years and is still out there, being awesome (although naming a kid Sundance, that's questionable).
• BMX in the Olympics? Ok, whatever works. I'll watch.
• I truly wish I had more hours in the day to watch this stuff. There are so many things I'm missing and so many athletes to appreciate. I'm so not one myself, so their accomplishments are pretty amazing to me. Like that chick that just got gold in Skeet Shooting, 99 out of 100 shots. Wow. It doesn't matter what it is, all these athletes deserve to feel proud of even being there. I'll never be an Olympian, so my props to them.

Outside of my bullet pointing, I have to say, watching the Olympics with a 4 year old is more than enjoying. He is getting so into it, constantly asking who is going to win, who got the world record, what they're doing, all these questions. I hope he keeps that curiousness and enthusiasm alive, at least so I'll always have someone to watch with me.

Happy Olympic Day!!

Those who know me know I am a lover of ceremony, of pomp and circumstance, of any kind of pagentry really. So of course the Olympics are right up my alley. And as we all know, the Olympics are in London this year, and lets be honest, no one does pomp and circumstance like the Brits. I'm very much looking forward to the opening ceremonies tonight and all the events in the coming weeks. And yes I know there are a lot of people who show sudden interest in such things and are looked down on by the pretentious people that seem to rule the world these days, I guess I don't really care. I'm always interested in this stuff, so Debbie Downer's be gone! I'll be happily watching the Lochte vs Phelps coverage, the gymnastics, Usain Bolt, and all the glorious pagentry in  between! Good Luck to all the athletes, but GO USA!!

Debby isn't getting us Down!!

The rain has finally ended! Woo-hoo!

Ok, so these pictures uploaded backwards from how I wanted so, we'll start now and go back.

Yesterday was Ross' 34th birthday. Yay Ross. We of course went to Texas Cattle Company in Lakeland, which was tasty as always. We went for a little walk by the close to overflowing (thanks Debby) Lake Morton and took this lovely picture in front of the Volunteer Spirit statue. Aren't we cute?

Last weekend we went to a friend's birthday party and Quinn got to go bowling for the first time. He was SO excited. It took him a little bit to get the hang of it (he got the ball stuck between the bumper and the gutter, how he did that I don't know). He was so happy to be there and we had a great time.

This picture was actually his first trip up to the lane. The one above is how he excitedly would watch his ball roll down the lane.

Now these might not make as much sense since they are in the wrong order. I decided to do something fun and we did a science experiement. I tried to explain the basics of a reaction, which I don't think I did a good job on. We just did the old vinegar and baking soda trick, but I did put food coloring on the spoon with the baking soda, so it made a nice colorful foamy good time.

Here he is stirring up the green "reaction".

Excitedly watching the red foam spill out onto the tray.

Here he is with all our supplies gathered together. Doesn't he look happy?

That's a bit of what we're up to this summer. Hope you all are having a great time too!!

Last Day

Today was Quinn's last day of K3 preschool.  I wasn't too sad, although looking at the below comparison pictures does make me a little teary.  On his first day back in August, he was 3.5, now he's 4 years, 3 months.  He recognizes the entire alphabet, knows all the letter sounds, and can write his name. He's doing very well on sight words and is just so smart.  And cute.  And a little bit ornery, but what 4 year old boy isn't? He had a really good year, made some great friends, and has definitely learned a lot. What more can we ask for as parents? Now we're onto pre-K. Which means kindergarten is in the sights.  Now I am getting a little teary.

On a side note, part of the reason I titled this blog what I did is because Quinn uses the phrase "last day" for any day that has passed, from yesterday to a year ago, so it is definitely fitting on more than one level.

A Quick Update

Ugh, slacking I know, you don't have to tell me.  So here is a quick update on what we've been up to, which isn't too exciting, but hey, its what we do!

QUINN - He has started playing tee-ball, which he is really enjoying.  He is in the orangeish #6 shirt below.  He has also pretty much quit taking naps at home, which I'm really not enjoying. He likes to tell us what he loves, like "I love my new shoes", "I love my old shoes", "I love that table", "I love your beautiful shirt Momma", that kind of thing.  Its pretty cute.

KIM - Well, I had my birthday, turned a year older, then it was over.  Not bad really.  Ross took me to Bern's, which is always nice. Awesome really. Below is a picture of me and Quinn on Mother's Day at The Brunchery.  We also went to Epcot on Mother's Day with some friends, which was way fun. We've been a few times actually. It is one benefit of living in Florida. I do hope Quinn realizes how lucky a kid he is!

I have a few books I'm working through right now.  I haven't been able to finish one in a while for some reason, so I just keep adding more. I'm reading this one...

....and this one (for my Bible Study)....

...and this one (my classic for the year)...

...and I just started this today.

That's a lot of books. Hopefully I'll get through them soon!

ROSS - is working.  Which is good. 

That's us right now. Hope this finds both my readers well!

Goodbye 32

Today is my last day of being 32.  Gah.  Sadly, it didn't start out the best, as I was awakened at 3:45 in the morning by Ross saying that Quinn had had a double potty accident in his bed.  When we went in there, he was still sound asleep.  When we woke him up, he just asked to be covered up and fell asleep again.  Good times. 

Overall though, 32 was a pretty okay year.  I guess i've really learned its okay to not be where you thought you would be, because God's plans are different and always better.  The journey isn't the destination, its just the journey. My current living situation isn't ideal, but it is not ideal because I don't have enough food or my son isn't taken care of well. Call it a 1st world problem I guess.

For all the "bad" stuff that my have happened, there has been a lot of good as well.  I have a fabulous son, a wonderful husband, awesome friends and family.  I love my new car, have season passes to Disney, had several fun little trips, and most of all, have a lot to look forward to.  And that alone makes 33 look pretty good!!

Happy Easter!

I hope you have all had a blessed, restful Easter Sunday. For someone who believes as I do, today is really what its about. Even though I know its not "really" today, its still nice to have a day to worship and celebrate. He is Risen!

Yesterday I decided to have some Easter fun and color eggs. I hadn't done this with Quinn before, so we were both excited. I first realized that coloring Easter eggs would mean that I need to hard boil eggs, something I had never actually done before. Crazy, I know. So a few googles later, I had my plan and it worked pretty well. The eggs were hard boiled, Quinn was happy about coloring them, project complete!! Here he is, happy about his hard work!

The Easter Bunny did stop by before church today, and Quinn was very happy to see what was left. He had an Easter egg hunt at school, so I didn't get him too much. Some M&M's, Peeps (he is the only reason I would ever even come near a Peep - so gross), and a 5 pack of new cars. Just what he needs, right? Oh well, its not digestible sugar, so that makes it somewhat better.

Quinn and his new cars

Later we found that another Easter Bunny had come and left Quinn some more eggs. Here is his stash, but these had money in them! Lucky kid.

Quinn and mommmy on Easter Sunday

Happy Easter to all!