Love these two hanging out together during the littles' swim practice.
Two weeks ago, we had our first "official" meet in two seasons (we cannot host any meets at our pool because of gathering restrictions at our home facility).
Ella's freestyle has really improved and it's been fun to watch her race (she's in the far lane)!!! Both kids have been awesome in the pool - we had an invitational last weekend and another meet last week.
Max starting to bond with Blackhawk. He still misses Frank very much. Blackhawk has made himself at home by digging further into his burrow to the point where he is barely visible - he's escaping from our ridiculous heat wave! When Max feeds him kale, Blackhawk will climb all the way into his lap!
Ribbons from the TCC meet - great job kiddos!!! Love all of those first place ribbons!
Last Friday, the kiddos had their swim-a-thon. Ella had an hour and fifteen minutes and the number of laps to beat to get in first place was 143.
She swam 136!!! Awesome job, Ella!!! We are so proud of your hard work - that's a ridiculous number of laps!!!
Max's goal was 50.
He got 60 and his name was drawn for a certificate for a free pizza!!
In between all of the swimming, the kids attended church camp and then els had an art camp.
Meeting up with Gigi and Nana for some furniture shopping and ice cream!
Oh and stinky Piper finally was groomed.
Last week the meets were divided into age groups - 10 & unders and 11 and overs. Yay. We got to attend both meets... Max did awesome on all of his heats - he swam his very first 100m IM and he looks stronger and stronger with every week!
Love this group of kiddos!
Another amazing freestyle for Ella - she's in lane 3.
Fun hanging out with Hailey and Mochi.
Happy Father's Day to Roger and Poppie!!!!!
Our Father's Day photo tradition.
The kids made him a delicious breakfast all by themselves!
Sunset swim with Dad. These two are super lucky to have you, Roger. They are so loved and they look up to you like the superhero you are. We love you so much!!!!!
And this is how we ended the chaotic, uncertain, and challenging 2020-2021 school year. I think we all welcome this summer break like no other!!
The finishing decorations for the 6th grade promotion ceremony. Traditionally, the 5th grade parents help out, so here I am. I did not want to be here that day - nor did I want to be involved in most of the things I had that week as I have so much going on right now, but working with friends made it feel much less like work. I love these girls and am thankful to contribute.
Celebrating Jenny's birthday at Top Golf!!!
Yearbooks were distributed and Ella finally got a copy of it with her very own cover art! Congrats again miss Ella Bean!! You are SUPER talented and amazing - great job!!!
We made it. The last day of school.
My friends saved me again and helped me to decorate my car for the kiddos - bring on summer!!!
When we go back in August, Ella will have Mrs. Basler (for her FINAL year in elementary school!!! How the heck did that happen so quickly???) and Max will have Mrs. Karel!
Kicking off our summer with a pizza and swim playdate at the Cotters'!
Roger spent his birthday in Seattle where he surprised Jeanne! He was supposed to virtually attend the livestream of William and Charlotte's baptisms (he is Charlotte's Godfather), and he and Mike made the trip out and had a great weekend with the Hansens and Nana.
Thank you, Mom, for coming to take care of me - I woke up with a debilitating migraine and Ella and Max were amazing - they set a timer and came to check on me every 15 minutes!! My mom brought over lunch (because NOBODY delivers to us) and to keep an eye on the kids in the pool.
Roger returned for a Memorial Day and belated birthday party - he was even able to [finally] use his outdoor kitchen! We are thisclose to having the backyard renovation complete...
Love this shot of my dad and Roger hanging out - Happy Birthday, Roger!!! We love you so much and were so happy to finally celebrate with you!!
On Monday, Ella was super brave for her bi-annual blood draw. We met up with the Cotters for some delicious ice cream!
On Tuesday, Max saw the allergist. I don't remember if I wrote about it in my blog, but a few weeks ago, Max and I were eating Caesar salad and he started feeling sick, then started clutching his chest saying he couldn't breathe. It was so so scary. He threw up and immediately felt better, so our pediatrician referred him to the allergist and he was not allowed to have any fish. Dr. Cassel was able to confirm that he was negative for a fish allergy - she still wants to do an anchovy/Caesar salad challenge - but he's clear to eat sushi again!!
On Friday, we had the Red/Black Meet - it was awesome to be poolside again - all last season, and so far this season, the parents have had to wait in their cars in the parking lot. Loved seeing Els and Max swimming!!! They have both grown so much!
A video of Els doing the Individual Medley - she's in the closest lane. Our friend, Bill, took this video and I'm so glad he did. Ella, you totally did ROCK this!
And her specialty - breaststroke. I'm so excited for you this season, Els!!! Keep it up!
In between heats, the coaches asked them to do an "easy" 25. This is how these sweet friends, Els and Aubs, swim an easy 25 - talking the entire time! Haha.
Loved this shot of P, Max and Maxine - they will all be in the same class in school next year! Max did a phenomenal job in his heats - his flip turn is beyond AMAZING!! Way to go, Max!
Okay, and this is the shell-shocked part. For the better part of the past week, we have been noticing that Frank was not coming out of his burrow and looked super lethargic. On Friday afternoon, at the advice of the representative from the Desert Museum (Ms. Rene), we took him out to let him soak in his water dish and eat. He was barely moving and dragging his hind legs and the back of his shell. On Saturday morning, Roger took Max and Frank to the vet where they confirmed that Frank most likely had a degenerative bone disease. Ms. Rene was super apologetic and, even though the Desert Museum vet had approved Frank to go to a family, that given his prognosis, the best thing to do was to return him to the Desert Museum where they could properly care for him and give Max a new tortoise. Poor Max was super heartbroken. He and Roger made the drive out to the Desert Museum where Ms. Rene gave Max a tortoise stuffy (who is named Frank Jr.) and he received a new tortoise.
This is Blackhawk Roosevelt Perseus Bissmeyer. Blackhawk is the name of a warrior in the book series Max is currently reading. Roosevelt because it begins with the letter "R." And Perseus after Frank's middle name.
We hope Blackhawk enjoys his new home and that it is a forever home. We hope Frank gets the care he needs and is okay. We all miss him very much. Max, we're so proud of you - I know this was a super difficult weekend, but that you understood what was best for Frank. We know you'll take very good care of Blackhawk.
Meanwhile, Ella had a very long overdue playdate (oh, I've been corrected. We are apparently now too old for the term "playdate." They had a very long overdue "hangout") with Hailey!! Max and Roger spent Sunday morning planting flowers in Blackhawk's habitat together and then all of the grandparents came over to meet him. Thank you to Gigi and Poppie for bringing over kale and sushi for Max. Here's to a good, and much more drama-free, summer!
