July 31, 2009

The Water Park

Today I took Madelyn & Mikayla to the YMCA Water Park in Sarasota, surprisingly this was our first visit there. My best-friend Jackie has been asking me all summer to go with her and her boys, today I caved. Not that I have anything against the water park but Madelyn & Mikayla are a handful at times. 2 eyes and 2 hands are rarely enough to look after 2 kids in a regular pool let alone a crowded water park pool!


The Y really has an awesome set up! The pool's depth starts at 6 inches and deepens to 3ft, past the rope the water is 4ft deep. There are 2 large water slides that empty into the roped area. Madelyn is tall enough to ride these water slides but isn't a strong enough swimmer for when she is dumped into the pool, I offered to catch her but she chose not to go up. (she's my cautious child) The shallower area of the pool has water spouts and a smaller slide that Madelyn & Mikayla both really enjoyed. Madelyn tested her swimming skills and handled the chaos well. Fearless Mikayla did get trampled once or twice but fortunately I was right there pull her up when she went down and under. It was a lot of fun but still a little nerve-racking for me. There are 3 or 4 lifeguards on duty but there had to be 100 kids in the pool! EVERY parent has to be hands-on and EXTRA attentive. Luckily, we survived our first trip to the water park without incident or injury and had a great time.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera in the car but for the most part, I was too wet and so busy looking after the girls I wouldn't have been able to take many pictures anyway. I wish that Mike could have come with us, he would've had fun and his extra eyes and hands would've been helpful, hopefully he'll be able to join us next time.

July 27, 2009

My Grandpa

My Grandpa passed away exactly one year ago today. Sometimes it's still hard for me to accept that he's gone. He lived such a vibrant life and left us so suddenly. He was an amazing man and wonderful Grandfather and I miss him everyday.

My Grandpa & his first granddaughter... ME!

My Grandpa & I when I first moved to Florida with Mike in 1997.

My Grandpa & his 2 great-granddaughters March of 2008.

A Quiet Weekend At Home

This weekend was a mostly quiet one. Friday night we had Mike's Dad, his sister Lauren, her fiance Gregg and our friend Dave over for a mini-mexican fiesta. We enjoyed loaded chicken tacos, mexican rice and refried beans... dinner was delicious! The guys had a few beers and Lauren and I shared a bottle of Moscato. It was a fun night! I wish I would have taken some pictures but I was too busy cooking, drinking and chatting! Saturday and Sunday the girls & I hung around the house. Mike bought for the girls a $15 baby pool a couple weeks ago was the best $15 he spent all summer! I've been setting the pool up on the driveway which has worked out great! It's helped to keep the pool clean since Maddy & Mikayla climb in and out of it 50+ times a day... AND the girls have also been enjoying their scooters & bikes and drawing with sidewalk chalk! Plus, the garage provides relief from the scorching sun and it's easy for me to tend to laundry since our w&d are in the garage. Unfortunately, we haven't spent much time in the backyard lately. Our swing set is frequently inhabited by some nasty insect so it's getting lonely. Hopefully last nights downpour took care of this weeks resident spider so the girls can swing, slide and climb!

Zoom Zoom!



Who knew a 6ft x 15in baby pool could be so much fun!?

It was a drizzling and thundering on Sunday morning so after breakfast we baked a cake that later became a chilled cherry Jell-O cake topped w/ Cool Whip! An easy & tasty summer dessert!

Once a week (normally Fridays) we make home made pizzas with dough balls from Publix. This week Mike has been working crazy hours for an event at work AND we had company for dinner Friday night so we postponed our family pizza night. Last night (Sunday) Mike got home at 6 pm so we were able to relax and create our pizzas. I like to collect ingredients for our pizzas throughout the week. We always make 2, the girls prefer a simpler pizza with LESS toppings (obviously) and Mike likes the extra leftovers to pack for his lunches.

Our version of Hawaiian!
Pineapple and leftover bacon from Sunday breakfast. Maddy & Mikayla LOVE bacon!

The Works! Italian sausage, onion, mushroom, peppers, tomato & olives!
Delicious!

July 21, 2009

Bounce U

Yesterday we checked out the new Sarasota hotspot for kids. Bounce U has 2 big rooms of bounce houses and bouncey slides! Yesterday's outing was especially fun because Batman and Cinderella were also there to play. The girls bounced for 90 minutes and enjoyed pizza and drinks afterward! Mike & I were quite impressed with Bounce U. It's affordable, clean, the Bounce U Team is friendly and very hands-on so that injuries are kept to a minimum.... AND parents can bounce for free! We had such a great time we can't wait to go again!

Yee Ha!

Mikayla has no fear! She went down this slide at least 20 times!

This is Bounce Tee-Ball, Madelyn has a great swing! I think real tee-ball is in her future for this Fall!

July 16, 2009

Our Georgia Getaway

This past weekend Mike, the girls and I got out of Florida for a well-needed mini-vacay. Although my Dad & stepfamily visit us in Florida a couple times a year, it had been 5 years since we have visited them in Georgia.

The Copp Homestead is on 2.6 secluded acres just outside of Atlanta.

Maddy, Mikayla & Kayla

Mikayla & Kyle

Maddy & Mikayla ran up & down the hill in front of my Dad's house 100 times!

Kyle, Becca, Kayla & Mikayla enjoying the pool.

Maddy & my Step Mom Karen
She & my Dad will be celebrating their 8th Anniversary this fall.

One of the bonuses to our visit was seeing my pregnant step-sis Nicole. On Saturday we hosted a shower in Baby Lexi's honor! PINK, PINK and more PINK!

My beautiful girls!

My Dad & Mikayla

My Dad recently built this beautiful Florida room onto the house, we spent hours upon hours out here! I just had to post a picture of it!

Our trip was short but very relaxing, it was hard to come home. The change of scenery and quality time with family was just what we all needed!

July 6, 2009

Independence Day Weekend

It was another fun weekend for the Schuth family!  Saturday afternoon the girls & I attended a cookout with our best friends Jackie, Collin & Conner.  Jackie & I lost touch with our two friends Kerri & Sarah, we were thrilled to hang out and catch up on 5 eventful years at their 4th of July Cookout! 

My girls & Jackie's boys on the way to the cookout!

Mikayla & Maddy

Sarah's boys were happy to share their tractor!

Me, Ker-Bear, Jackie & Sarah

After the cookout, we met up with Daddy and hit the road for Grandpa & Grandpa's condo.  We arrived at sunset, hundreds of people mobbed the beach to see and set off fireworks.  We watched the awesome display from the balcony and from the shore line.  

ooooo... ahhhh

Mommy loves sparklers!

Maddy not so much...

The next day we woke up to blue sky and sunshine.  We spent the day swimming in the Gulf and the pool.   Our big girl Maddy swam in both 'without' her floaties.  Mike & I are so proud!  We knew she could do it!

The girls enjoying the Gulf, it was perfect!

Maddy making her cousin Cam laugh!

God Bless America