Summer means Swim Team

Madi's team - She is on the 3rd row and 3rd from the left. 7 & 8 year old team

Max's team - 3rd row and 2nd from the left - 6 and under

Max on the starting blocks - in the closest lane - what a stance

Madi - in the blue swim suit - right in the middle lane

If it is June, then is must be swim team time at the Rockwood's. Madi and Max are both in Swim Team this year with the Taylor Torpeods. Thursday was their first meet of the year in Freestyle. It was a nice night since there was a breeze and it was only 93 outside. They both swam hard and did a great job! It is so fun to see them swim. It reminds me of when I did swimteam. The only difference is that our meets were indoors in a muggy pool area and a lot less kids than on their teams! Way to go Madi and Max.

Madison is 8!

On June 6th - Madison turned 8. Here is a pictures of her in her "teenage" dress (as she calls it)
I can't believe that she has been in our family for 8 years! It seemed just like yesterday that Bryant and I were anxiously awaiting her arrival!

Her birthday cake - Cheesecake - just like her mom with fresh strawberries! It was delicious and she helped me make it!

Madi and Maya loving each other. We had just gotten back from swimming - something that we do everyday during the summer!

Maya, Madi and Max - all happy that it is Madi's birthday and loving the day.

There She is -our blue eyed, blonde hair, summer tanned girl. She has been the best big sister any Max or Maya could ask for or any oldest child that any Kari or Bryant could ask for! She is excited to get baptized at the end of the month. I will post pictures of the baptism then!

Madison's Birthday Party

Madison had her 8th Birthday Party on Friday! It was the funnest and easiest (for me). Madison and 5 friends plus Maya went swimming. They had a great time.

Maya and Tacy cheesing it up for the camera!

Enjoying ice cream treats and making crazy faces!

Madison and Annika (from church) cooling off by eating ice cream cones!

The Whole Gang - Izzy, Paige, Madi, Elena, Annika and Tacy.

2 hours of swimming + ice cream cones + warm day = lots and lots of fun

Happy Birthday Madison - We love you!!!

The Shed Part 2

Here are the pictures from our shed that I should have posted awhile ago! Bryant did a great job and we even have a coat of paint on it! Now it I can put our bikes in it during the summer since it is too hot to ride them! Thanks for all of you hard work!

It's Official...

... I am now the meanest mom. I knew that one day one of my kids would say it to me. And today it happened.

I took the kids swimming today and as we were leaving the pool after 1 1/2 hours of swimming, Madison told me that I said that they could swim for 1 to 2 hours and that it was not time to leave yet. It was not the words that she used but rather the tone. Imagine one hand on a hip and the other hand pointing at me. Well, she had asked for her cousin to come over and play. I told her that her cousin would not be coming over since she was not being very nice to me. She begged for one more chance (I am sure that most of you know exactly what I am talking about). Well, I have given a lot of one more chances since Thursday and school finishing.

I then got the sentence that according to my Dad make me a real mom, "Mom you are the meanest mom." Well, we talked about why she said that and why I didn't give her one more chance. Even after our talk, she said it to me again which means I must be doing something right.

But now, I can claim the title of the Meanest Mom. Here is a picture of the kids that makes me laugh and remind me why I love being the meanest mom!

May Happenings

May is always a busy time of the year. With the end of school stuff and the weather getting warmer, time seems to go by quickly.

Madi and Max both had their Spring Sing and they sang lots of songs. Maya was dying to be up on the stage with them. But she still has one more year before Kindergarten. We have had year end school swim parties and year end Piano Recital for Madi.

The best part of May has been with Bryant - sorry no picture of this one yet. Last fall, Bryant studied long and hard for a test for work which he did GREAT on in order to get a promotion. He then had an oral board and a practical test which he aced as well. On Monday - he will be promoted at work. A Big deal for him and for us. He starts the next level of his career and the kids say that now he gets to be a boss at work as well as at home. The only sad part of this change will be his work schedule. For the past 5 years he has either worked Mon to Thur or Tues to Fri. Now for the next year he will be Sat to Tuesday, which leaves me alone at church. But I am very grateful for the 5 years he was at church with me.

Once the promotion happens on Monday - I will post some pictures. But in the mean time, here are some pictures of the kids!

You know it is getting warm in Arizona when...

1. Max with his "old man" hair cut. He did want Bryant to cut off any more hair until he saw what it looked it. It is all gone now.

2. The kids play on the trampoline with the sprinklers on and get all wet.

3. Maya thinks that she can fly and tries over and over.

4. Maya and Madi doing their different poses for when the water hits them.

So in case you are wondering, yes it is getting warmer in AZ and we can't wait until Memorial Day when the pools open and the kids get to go swimming and "catch tans" while they are having fun!