My Little Mermaid

For the past 8 days Olivia has had swim lessons. At the end of these 8 days, these are the things I know: she and I are both physically and mentally exhausted. She is sick, apparently from swimming from the funk that comes from 6 children in a pool from sun up until sundown. We are the proud owners of a baby doll that can swim who is now in the process of "swimming" all the way to our house because I had to order her online--thanks Jennifer!! She is in the middle of a heated debate with her Daddy about piercing her ears--thanks Anna! And lastly, she can swim!! She loves it (unless water goes up her nose--and watch out if that happens). She can float on her back by herself, jump off the diving board and swim to the ladder, swim across the deep end of the pool. And she almost swam from the diving board the whole length of the pool without a breath--only because she does not enjoy taking a breath while swimming and would prefer for her lungs to explode rather than taking a breath...even with Ms. Mildred screaming, "Pick your head up, take a breath!"

Thanks to the Denton's for videoing her for me!! I wouldn't even begin to know how to download videos from our camera to the computer. I think I am seeing a Flip in my future!

I am SO proud of her!!

Omigod You Guys!

Last weekend my sweet hubby took me on a short romantic getaway to the faraway and exotic city of Nashville, Tennessee. It actually was exotic to us because we drove for 3 hours and didn't listen to anyone crying or the constant chatter that has taken over Olivia's body. We went to see Legally Blonde the Musical (courtesy of Michael's sweet mama and daddy). We didn't get there until almost showtime because we spent the morning doing a little furniture browsing. And we had no idea that the show wouldn't be over until 11:30 Nashville time (past midnight to our poor old bodies) so we just ended up ordering room service late that night. But the point is we had fun and enjoyed our getaway, as brief as it was...

I remember seeing an episode of Tyra Banks where she showed you how to take a picture of yourself without looking like a complete moron...obviously, I should have paid better attention.

Omigod you guys!

What We've Been Up To...

Life definitely hasn't slowed down at all here at the Claunch house since school ended and summer began. In fact, we've been so busy I haven't even had my camera most places.

Here is my best effort at a Father's Day pic...yes, out of about 20, this is the best. Is it just me, or do planned photos just not work?

Olivia went to her friend Molly's birthday party at Premier where we take gymnastics. She really enjoyed having total freedom on all the equipment!
The group pic at Molly's birthday
My sisters and I went on a girls only Christmas trip to Pigeon Forge. This was the only Santa I could get Olivia close to. We stayed at the Christmas Inn there where at 9pm Santa Claus gathers around the fireplace and sings carols...very cute. You know, if it was December. Instead we were at the pool gearing Olivia up for swim lessons to begin.

We have been in swim every day this week. I don't have any pics. Why?? Because I get the joy of being in the pool with her every morning!! The upside--my little darling is a swimmer! She may not win any Olympic medals anytime soon, but by golly, she will get to the wall of the pool!

We're taking her to my sister's pool tomorrow, so I will try and get some pics then.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy in the whole world. Michael was born to be a daddy and he is the best daddy to our little girls that I could ever have imagined. They are so lucky to have him. All of us are, he works so hard to make us happy! He knows exactly when to be sweet and take care of them and when to be rough and tough with them. We love you so much Daddy!

Daddy with Olivia
Daddy seeing Ana Blair for the first time
Snoozing with Ana Blair
Dancing with Olivia

My Baby is Missing

And this is what I have found in her place...a grown child! This stranger crawls, feeds herself and when she wants my attention grabs my pant leg and says, "Mama."

So you see I have a major problem...if any of you have seen my tiny infant child, please return her to me as soon as possible!

Creative Discovery Museum

Monday we loaded up the car and headed to Chattanooga to spend the day with Wendy, Lexy and Lilah at the Creative Discovery Museum. We had never been there before and Olivia had so much fun! Nana was nice enough to offer to take care of Ana Blair so I could help Wendy with Lilah. The joke was on Nana though because Lilah slept almost the whole day!

They look like they're in a cage in this one and sometimes I think that's where these two belong! They do, and always have fed off of each other and just crack up over the crazy things they do! Dr. Olivia about to give Ms. Wendy her physical
Olivia jumped on this first thing and was ready to start swinging. I explained to her that it was a pulley and she was supposed to use the rope to pull herself to the top. Her upper body strength must be better than mine, because she actually did it! I was able to do it too, but it was a little harder for me!!
Then the girls decided it was much more fun like this!


Thanks girls! Can't wait to see you again! Seems like we see you more now than when you lived in Knoxville! We are getting so spoiled!

Rocking Song

I don't know if any of you know this song...but I actually heard this at a youth event when I was in high school. I loved this song then and could not imagine how I would feel when I held my own sweet girl. And as all of you mamas out there know, this song kind of hits a button inside of us...This song is so special to me and as I fed Ana Blair her last bottle the other night and searched for the words to this in my head I thought about all the wonderful mothers that have shaped my life, most of you included...so I hope you turn up your speakers and enjoy and know that I am thinking of you wonderful mothers who have inspired me...