Photo Bomb

Since I am clearly awful about keeping up with the updating picture posts here instead of doing this one by one I'm just going to photo bomb you with the rest of our summer.  I got all the way up to the last day of our vacation to New Hampshire and then just stopped sharing again.  Shame on me.  So maybe it will be better to just finish the summer off in one post.  So here you have the rest of the Barnes Bunch summer 2012...

Shortly after returning from New Hampshire we attended a fishing event put on by the local fish and game and our towns park and rec department.  It was free and they provided everything.  Turned out people from fish and game actually remembered Joe's father from years ago when he used to be a fishing instructor.

A few weeks before school started I made plans with a friend of mine for a play date at her house and in her pool.  She has a son in Kindergarten in the same school as CJ so we were hoping to help our boys have a few extra friends to start the school year.  Turns out they did not end up in the same class though, but that's okay.  They still see each other on the playground and give a little wave.

The boys had enough swimming so they had fun on the play scape instead

And as summer draws to a close we of course needed haircuts for the children.  Clearly Alyssa was in need of a cut bad.

Alyssa Before

Natalie Before

Both girls After

And that's all the pictures I got this summer.  It was an enjoyable time and I think we got some really great memories.  Now we're back to the routine and hustle and bustle of another school year.  The break is nice, but it's good to be back to a routine.

Swimming And Fishing

Continuing on with the picture updates of our summer.  The end of June we went to a local pond where the kids did a little swimming and a little fishing.

3 little swimmers

CJ loves his big sister

Teaching him to swim

Kick your feet

Sleepy baby

CJ trying out Alyssa's swim trainer

He had so much fun in it swimming after everyone

Then he went fishing

Caught this trout that was as big as his arm

It doesn't get much better than this.  What a fun day with the kids.

My Fun Weekend with my Awesome Grandparents!

This weekend Natalie went with my parents to New Hampshire to see Nascar. She came home with a ton of pictures and stories of her time so I asked her to blog about it. So from here on out you are hearing from Natalie, my 12 year old!

This weekend I had a lot of fun with my grandparents.We spent most of Thursday night driving to New Hampshire.It took us about two hours to get there. We stayed at Best Western. It was a great hotel.

On Friday we stayed in the pool for most of the day. However, after I put my bathing suit on, the snap broke in half! Grandma and Grandpa thought to fix it with dental floss but they soon found out that it wouldn't work. So Grandma suggested a safety pin, but she only had tiny ones in her sewing kit. So she soon decided to just sew the bathing suit back together.

Here I am playing in the pool...







Then we went out to dinner with the moose...





The next day we went to Joey's Diner for breakfast. The food was very good. From there we headed to the New Hampshire Motor Speed Way. The track was huge and very loud! Grandpa got me some headphones so the loud noise wouldn't bother my ears. My Grandpa and I argued about who would win. Grandpa said Joey Lagano would win but I thought Kyle Busch would win. I was right, Kyle Busch won the race! It was his one hundredth win! I was very happy.

Kyle Bush's trailer

Kyle Bush warm ups

Kyle Bush getting ready for the start of the race

Kyle Bush getting interviewed

Joey Lagano's car

And Kyle Bush's big win...



On Sunday we went to Joey's Diner for breakfast again. We ate our breakfast and headed back to the hotel so we could pack our things. We then headed home. We stopped to have some watermelon and strawberries after a half hour or so. Then we were back on the road again. We stopped for an early dinner at Pickadilly. After we were done with all the good food we headed back home. When we got home I showed my family a whole bunch of pictures that I took. I had a lot of fun and I can't wait to hopefully go to New Hampshire again next year!

So that was how Natalie spent her weekend with her grandparents. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Week In Review: July 26 - August 1, 2009

Here is this weeks Week In Review for July 26 - August 1, 2009

Sunday: A very lazy day. Joe went to work. I did some laundry. Washed dishes and cooked dinner. I made a peach pie. The kids stayed up a little late. A very low key day.

Monday: Swimming lessons. I brought the girls. Joe stayed home with CJ. Then we rushed home so the girls could quickly change and me and the girls could go back out. We went to my PTA secretaries house to talk with the rest of my officers about the next school year. We had a nice lunch and chat. The kids all played together while the moms talked. It felt very productive. After that we went to the library so the girls could return their books and get some new ones. Then we came home. It was late so we ended up going to Subway for dinner. Came home and ate and put CJ to bed and the girls stayed up a little while longer. I did the swimming laundry and then went to bed.

Tuesday: A beautiful sunny day for swimming. CJ and I were in the pool today. He had a blast. After swimming we came home and everyone bathed. We then had lunch. I put CJ down for his nap. Joe had to go to work. CJ had just gotten up as he was leaving. It was hot. CJ was getting a rash so we just took it easy. I made dinner and the kids and I hung out a little. I put CJ to bed and Joe came home from work. Shortly after the girls went to bed. I did the swimming laundry and then went to bed.

Wednesday: Joe had to be at work early so we got up to bring him. Then we hung around waiting for swimming. We left for swimming and then came home and showered and ate. I put CJ down for a nap, but he didn't nap for long. I guess it worked out since we had to go pick Joe up from work. Went and got him and did some grocery shopping. Came home and put all the groceries away. Washed dishes and cooked dinner. Natalie had a temper tantrum and got herself grounded. She had to clean the kitchen and living room and then couldn't watch TV. Needless to say she wasn't happy, but I had a clean kitchen and living room. The kids went to bed kind of early. I did laundry and then went to bed.

Thursday: Another day we had to get up and bring Joe to work. I also needed to get gas. So I did that and then came back home. We had swimming again. There was a photographer there from the newspaper who asked if he could take pictures of us. I agreed to that. After swimming we went home for showers and lunch. I put CJ down for a nap, but again he didn't really sleep. We had to go pick Joe up from work though. So we left to get him and came home and put CJ down again for a nap. He slept better. I even went and laid down because I was exhausted. We had dinner and enjoyed another quiet evening.

Friday: A very rainy day, but the girls last day of swimming. So we had to go. I brought them, but when we got there we had to wait because they had heard thunder. They did get to get in the pool. It was fun Friday in the rain. After swimming they got their "report cards". Neither one of them moved to the next level. Then we ran over to the indoor pool to sign up for the final session of swimming. Got them all signed up and came home to shower and have lunch. CJ went down for a nap. Joe left for work. CJ got up from his nap and I tried to figure out something for dinner. I washed dishes and cooked. We ate and then watched some TV. I put CJ to bed and the girls and I waited up for Joe to come home. He came home and the girls went to bed a little while after that. Joe and I stayed up and watched TV together before going to bed.

Saturday: CJ is 21 months old today! Hard to believe. Only 3 more months to plan his 2nd birthday. Anyways, this is what I was up early doing while everyone else slept thinking about how much my baby boy is growing up. After everyone else got up we had breakfast and then got dressed. We went to the store to get a few things including jars for jam. Then to Walmart to check out a few things and kill some time. Came home and had lunch. While the kids were eating I washed dishes and then Joe and I started making some jam. We made raspberry and blueberry jam. First time ever. It looks like it came out good. CJ will test for us tomorrow as he's our little jelly boy. We put CJ down for a nap and I cleaned up after the jam project and then started cooking some chicken. While my oven fried chicken was cooking I showered. Got dressed and then the chicken was done. We packed up the chicken and some other things for our planned trip to carload night at Quassy. We went with some friends and met some family there. We had planned dinner with our friends. They brought the sides we brought the chicken. We ate and got our bands to ride the rides. I was the photographer/babysitter as CJ couldn't go on most of the rides. We stayed until closing and came home and sent the kids right to bed. It was a very fun day with the family and some good friends.

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Swimming Lessons

On Thursday Natalie, Kaitlyn, CJ and I had swimming lessons. Joe came with us and took some pictures and video. The kids are doing so great at swimming. They are having a blast too. CJ is finally enjoying the water. He's very picky about the temperature of the water.

The girls both moved up a level last Friday. So this was them in their new levels. Kaitlyn is now in level 3 and Natalie is in level 5.

Week In Review: July 12 - July 18, 2009

Here is this weeks Week In Review for July 12 - July 18, 2009

Sunday: Slept in. Got up and just putted around the house all day. Joe had to go back to work. That was a bummer. I made a nice dinner for when he came home though. We ate and I cleaned up and then we put CJ to bed. The girls stayed up for a little while watching TV with us before going to bed.

Monday: Another day to sleep in. Got up and it was time to get the girls ready for swimming. So we ate breakfast and went off to swimming. Joe took the car to go apply for a job and then came back and picked us up. We came home and the girls showered and we fed everyone lunch. Then CJ went down for a nap. Joe had to work at night so shortly after CJ got up from his nap he took the car to go to work. So me and the kids had another lazy day. I made waffles for dinner. Then I put CJ to bed. The girls stayed up for a little while longer before I sent them to bed. Joe got home really late. I stayed up and waited for him.

Tuesday: Slept in again. Got up and fed everyone breakfast. CJ and I had swimming too today. We got ready for swimming and then left. CJ started crying when we got down to the pool. I thought oh great. He cried for the first five minutes or so, but then was really starting to get into it. I was so happy to see him warming up to it more. We had a quick stop to make after swimming and then came home for lunch and showers. The girls showered while I fed CJ lunch and he fell asleep in his high chair. I had to wake him up to give him his bath. After his bath I put him down for his nap. Then I went and showered. Joe had to work again at night. So again after CJ got up from his nap he went to work. I cooked dinner and cleaned the kitchen up a little. Put CJ to bed and the girls and I stayed up until Joe got home from work. I did the swimming laundry and then they went to bed and Joe and I stayed up watching TV for a little while before going to bed.

Wednesday: Had to get up early to bring Joe to work. Got all the kids up and brought him in. Then came home and hung around the house until it was time for swimming. The kids had breakfast and then got dressed and we left. Went to swimming and then came home. I fed CJ while the girls took a shower and made their lunch. Then I started doing my workout again. Put CJ down for a nap when that was done and then went to shower. Got out and got dressed. Waited until it was almost 3:00 and woke CJ up to go pick Joe up from work. We went to the grocery store and did some shopping and came home and put all the food away. I washed dishes and made dinner. We had picked up a couple of movies. So we put CJ to bed and let the girls watch their movie and Joe and I went into our room to watch a little TV together. Then when the girls movie was over we sent them to bed and Joe and I watched our movie. I was falling asleep during it so after finishing up the laundry we went to bed.

Thursday: Another early morning to bring Joe to work. Came home ate and got ready for swimming. CJ and I were going in again. I thought it was sunny, but by the time we got to the pool the rain clouds came in. It drizzled on us during swimming, but CJ LOVED it. Oh this is what I imagined swimming was going to be like with him. I'm so glad he's finally starting to enjoy it. We then came home and I fed CJ while the girls showered and prepared their lunch. They ate while I worked out. Then I gave CJ a bath and put him down for a nap. Then I showered too and again waited until it was time to pick Joe up from work. We picked up some pediasure while we were there and stopped to get some gas too. Then came home and hung around trying to figure out what to have for dinner. Subs was the decision because it was getting muggy in the house. So we ate dinner. Played with the kids and then put CJ to bed. Let the girls stay up a little while longer and watch some TV. Then sent them to bed. Joe fell asleep on the couch while I was playing on the computer. Then I realized I forgot to do the swimming laundry so I went and did that and then went to bed.

Friday: Got up early on a day when I didn't have to. CJ was awake though and Joe wasn't budging so I had no choice. So I got up with him. The girls got up shortly after that and I gave everyone breakfast. Joe finally crawled out of bed. I got the girls ready for swimming and Joe stayed home with CJ. We went to the last day of swimming for this session. Both girls moved up a level. I was shocked. Then we headed over to the indoor pool to sign them up again. I somehow managed to get Kaitlyn the last spot in her new level for the time we wanted. Chatted with two of my PTA officers for a few that were also there and then went home. CJ was sleeping so I had to send the girls straight into the shower. Made them lunch. When they got out of the shower I had to go into their room to try to get them clothes without waking CJ. But that didn't work so well. CJ woke up and Joe was in a mood so we got into a fight and I went to hide out in my room. Joe came in and apologized finally for treating me so poorly. He had to go to work. So he left and CJ was cranky and getting into everything so I put him in his crib to rest a little more. Then I washed dishes and cooked dinner. By that time CJ was awake. So the kids and I ate. I put CJ to bed and let the girls stay up and watch some special on Disney with Hannah Montana, the Suite Life, and Wizards of Waverly Point I think it's called. That got cut a little short though because Joe had set the channel to change to VH1 for the Live and Loud concert we saw with Def Leppard and Poison. So the girls and I watched that and enjoyed it. Joe came home shortly after that. We sent the girls to bed. Joe ate dinner and we stayed up watching TV for a little while and then went to bed.

Saturday: I was up before the whole house. Everyone managed to sleep in but me. So I played around on the computer. Everyone slept pretty late. When they did finally get up I fed them breakfast. Then we just hung around the house for a little while. Joe gave the kids lunch and started getting the fishing gear together. He took the girls fishing and I put CJ down for a nap. I had a peaceful house for a couple of hours. When they came home we figured out dinner. Ate and then got CJ ready for bed. Once he was in bed Joe and the kids and I played a few games of Sorry. Then we sent the girls to bed and watched some TV.

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Fun Friday

So swimming in the summer here is done in two week sessions. On the final Friday of the session they have what's called "Fun Friday". They just play games and have free time before receiving their final paper for the session saying whether or not they can move on to the next level. So here are my kids on their first "Fun Friday" of the summer.

Marco...

Polo...

Kaitlyn waiting with CJ to get in the pool

Sharks and Minnows

Scaling the fence

Natalie about to dive

Kaitlyn's a shark

Frog Leg Dive

"I want to go in there!"

Kaitlyn swimming


Kaitlyn jumping in

So both of the girls stayed in their levels. I knew Kaitlyn would. She'll be there forever. Natalie though she was supposed to move on. She was bumped down based on her front crawl and not having the stamina to swim across the pool. Her original teacher told me she'd only be there for this one session. However, her teacher told her to repeat level 4 again. And she wasn't even there for me to question it. It's not even her front crawl that is a problem anymore. Now they are saying her breaststroke. Natalie adds this extra little flutter with her arms with her breaststroke. She always has. She did it last year when they passed her to Level 5. Now they are holding her back because of it. I don't know that she'll ever stop that. All last year I warned her about that. And all this year I've been telling her she has to be extra conscious about that, but she still does it. She can however swim across the pool now so I really don't care too much for them not moving her up. I hope they will move her up before the final session this year. I think that was part of the problem. We don't do the winter swim lessons so she didn't get to continue it. I think Natalie really wants to move up though so hopefully now that she sees this is an issue she'll work extra hard at it. Or maybe this time around she'll end up with a teacher who doesn't see it as a problem and thinks she'll benefit from moving up.