Summertime...

I have always made a lot of family fun plans for summer. However, they often get pushed aside by the vast amount of Swim Lessons I end up teaching. Since swim lessons pay for our family vacations, I have always justified the amount of time I am gone as necessary for our family to do fun things without pulling from the budget. It became easier to justify once I stopped paying a babysitter.

It feels like a great compliment when people call and want me to teach lessons to their kids, either because they know me, or are referred to me from others. I must be doing something right, because I quit advertising lessons 10 years ago, and still have more swimmers than I can handle.

When people call me and my lessons are full, I feel so bad about dissapointing them that I end up scheduling more lessons. Pretty soon I am teaching 5 or 6 days a week, 6-8+ hours, and my family gets the shaft. I am so tired by the end of the day that the kids get sandwiches and cereal for meals, and tv for an activity.

After having to cancel 2 family vacations last summer, I decided to cut way back on lessons this year. However, this year people started calling in January to set up lessons. CRAZY!! By the beginning of April, I was booked. I had to say no to a heck of a lot of people. (if you were one of them I am really sorry.)

This summer, by June 26th, I will be mostly done. July and the first part of August is going to be all about us. (If you can count scout camp, girls camp, swim team and meets, and Synchro Nationals as family time.) We are going to be schedule -less, and do tons of fun things. No more neglecting my kids for the promoting of public water safety, enjoyment of teaching, and the all mighty dollar.

I love this quote, and it helps me remember what it is all about...

"…but the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three on them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in a hurry to get on to the next things: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less."
{Anna Quindlen}

and back to Kaylee...

Now for Kaylee's big news. She has worked hard all year, and sacrificed a lot of different things including birthday parties, ELP Field trips, and play time for Synchro. It all paid off this weekend. Kaylee had a big Regional synchro meet Friday and Saturday. Kaylee qualified in her solo and her team routine to go to Age Group Nationals in New York this summer. Her duet barely missed qualifying by 0.05 points. (In my opinion, she and her partner Olivia were robbed!! Those stinking judges!!) So when you get hit up for tax deductible donations or fundraising attempts in the next month from Kaylee, remember it is for a good cause. Krispy Kreme coupons anyone???

League Champs!!

Tanner has been playing baseball for the Minors Angels team. After a season of 13 wins and 2 losses, he played in the Championship game on Friday night. The Angels were actually ranked number 2 for the season, but after a nail biting 4 inning game, they prevailed over the Tigers in a 5-0 victory to clinch the league Championship. Way to go Tanner!!

Cooperstown, here we come

Spring means baseball at our house. All 3 boys play, but I only have pics of Tanner and Travis. Ty plays on a major league sized field which makes it hard to get a good shot. (Unless Todd buys me the Canon camera I want with the zoom lens...hint hint.) They all love playing and are getting really good. Baseball keep us busy about 5 nights a week. Someday, you may head to Chase Field to watch our MLB player score the game winning run!

Spring for the Bowman Family

Spring has come and gone, (yeah, it only lasts about 2 weeks here) and the Bowmans have been busy. Besides all of Kaylee's swim meets, we had the Annual Bow-Stein Family Olympics, and a ski trip for Ty's 13th birthday. These pics are a month old, but still fun to see.

Birthday Boy

Travis celebrated his 7th birthday last week. We had a family party, and then a party with friends. When I asked Travis what kind of party he wanted, pirate, cowboy, etc... he said all he wanted was a party with games. We had a lot of fun playing all of the old fashioned games.




Pin the tail on the donkey, 3 legged race, obstacle course, duck duck goose, etc. Travis had one specific person who was a must invite, so we planned his party around her availability. (My first child with a serious crush at 7, thanks for coming Kalley!!)

Wow, my baby is getting big, does this mean I am old??

All about Me?

Yeah, so this blog really isn't all about Kaylee. We all know it's all about me. All the time. No, Seriously. Okay, whatever. But it does seem my life has been consumed by Kaylee these past few weeks. Synchro has taken over our lives, and will continue for at least another month. On the other hand, so has baseball, I just don't have any pictures of the boys yet. This week, I promise.

Kaylee had her AZ state meet conference weekend. She did great. Kaylee placed 2nd out of 86 in her figures, 2nd of 13 in her duet, 3rd of 8 in her solo, and 3rd in her team. With all the metal around her neck, it was good that we didn't fly home. She qualified in all events to go to regionals which is in May. From there, we hope she makes it to Nationals in New York.

Then this past weekend was her big watershow/fundraiser (like a dance recital). What a huge event, and tons of work to pull it off. Thanks to those who came to support Kaylee.

**PS If you did not know, Vanessa Bodrero swims with Kaylee. She did great. Vanessa has learned tons this year. There is always a daddy/daughter, or older brother/sister routine in the show. You will have to ask Spencer how he likes swimming Synchro, and ask Marie if she has any pictures. Spencer was great!