Making a Splash -- From the Diving Board

I just got back a couple days ago from visiting a friend. I actually flew on a plane all by myself (can't remember the last time I did that!), Brett took a couple days off work, and I was gone for four days.

Around the second day, Brett called to tell me that Zach and Allie jumped off the diving boards at the local pool. I was kinda nervous and gave him the dreaded 100-questions routine.

The next day, Brett called again and the first words out of his mouth were "Guess what your daughter did at the pool today?"

And I have to confess, the very first thought that came to my mind was that she peed and that Brett was the parent who would get the awful scowls because his child forced a 24-hour closure of the pool on a 103-degree day.

But no ... Allie's a big girl.

She went off the flippin' high dive. Yep! I nearly dropped the phone. I couldn't believe it.

So when I got home, Zach and Allie showed me their jumps off the diving boards. Zach isn't ready for the high dive, but he loves leaping off that regular-height diving board.

Here they are, Zach first:

4 Weeks Down, 8 to Go (not that I'm counting)

Zach and Allie, so proud of themselves on the high bar.

Not that I'm counting, but today I noticed that it's been exactly four weeks since the boys' last day of school.

They returned from their annual California trip just over a week ago. The first couple days back they were still in their honeymoon phase of being back home with Zach and Allie and among friends again.

But, alas, reality soon set in. The bickering, the boredom.

It feels like I have two separate jobs when it comes to keeping the kids entertained and busy: the twins and then the older boys.

For Zach and Allie we've been going to a summer gymnastics class once a week. The thing is, though, is that they're the only ones in it. No socializing for them ... or me. They love it and I just bring a magazine or stay occupied with Facebook on my Iphone. But it's so quiet ... not sure if it's a sign of the economy or just locals who have the good sense to get out of Phoenix in the throes of summer.

And we've also been going to the weekly summer kids movie. Once a week we go see a kids/family movie -- about half of which we already have on DVD. It's like seven bucks for 10 weeks. We're about to go to our fourth movie tomorrow. So far, OK. They still get a little antsy about an hour into the movie. The good thing is that we're going with two other kids, friends made in gymnastics (not in the deserted summer session, but before). But the first time I think I escorted Zach and/or Allie to the restroom four times. I think we got it down to two times this last week.

Then we have swim lessons. Zach and Allie are like little fish now and able to maneuver their way around our pool without life jackets anymore. They sputter down the slide and glide on over to the wall.

What's funny is how totally different their swimming styles are. Zach is very powerful with his legs. When he jumps in or enters the water when coming down the slide, he'll really kick his legs with all his might, his arms usually stationery at his side or out in front of him. He looks like a little otter.

Allie, however, will jump in, bob around, start laughing and smiling and looking around, catch her breath, and attempt her arm movements to get her where she needs to go. Not much kicking but lots of arm-flapping. More like a flying fish.

The great news is that June has been really, really mild. 80s and low 90s, breezes. Totally gorgeous. Great evenings. Great for hanging out outside.

And what have Blake and Nick been doing to fill their days? I'll save that for another post.

Blake and Nick Return

Their 2.5-week visit with their grandparents in California seemed to speed by, but by the end I think everyone was ready for them to be home -- the two sets of grandmas and grandpas entertaining them, their little brother and sister who kept asking how many more days until their brothers are home, and Brett and I, who took advantage of a bit less responsibility, but at the same time couldn't fight the "it feels weird without them here" feeling.

As I sat outside the gate watching their plane arrive, Blake sent me a text, "We've landed."

"Yep, I c ur plane," I replied.

After about a dozen people walked off the plane, there they came. And they both had the same look. A big smile, but then quickly trying to look like they don't have said smiles. You know, trying to be cool and act like seeing your mom is no big deal.

I was happy to see them and as we saw our bags ride around to us on the luggage carousel, Nick confidently grabbed one and started rolling it toward the elevator. The best part is that they both started telling me in-depth stories of their trip. None of their usual one-word answers.

They told me how after three camping trips they've had their fill for quite a while. They told me about the bear in Yosemite, the rain in Tahoe, the how-to-put-down-bad-guys by Grandpa's sheriff's officer friend. They told me about the yummy brownies Aunt Terri made, all the questionable movies Grandma and Grandpa let them watch, how Nick paid Blake $10 to let him "rent" his Ipod for three days (Blake is always looking for a way to make a buck these days).

And then as we got on the highway, Blake began texting away. "Can I go to A's house?" he asks.

"When?" I say.

"When we get home ... he can pick me up to take me to the fields at 4:30," he says. I look at the clock and it's 3:30.

"Come on, Mom ... why are you going so slow ... go faster," he said.

And then, not once, but twice, he calls me "Grandma." He catches himself and is bowled over with laughter. I let him get away with it since he just spent two weeks with two different grandmothers. So Blake is home for about 15 minutes and then is off with his friend. Geesh ...

Then Nick is eager to pick up the twins. When we get to their classroom, he runs in and he and Zach run toward each other with a huge embrace, reminiscent of some cheesy romantic made-for-TV movie.

They are all so happy to be together again. Nick is a rock star the rest of the night. Zach and Allie fight over who gets to sit by him at dinner, they want to sit by him as they watch TV and they are just so ... so ... agreeable. So not used to that.

And I know it's only a matter of minutes until the sibling love goes on the back burner, as fighting over a toy or who gets the last waffle will be reality once again. Until then, I'll continue enjoying their little lovefest.

A Quiet(er) House

Zach and Nick doing their special four-step handshake before Nick and Blake leave for Calif.

We're two weeks into summer vacation now. Only 10 more to go. Gulp.

Two days after school got out, Blake and Nick hopped on a plane to Sacramento to spend a couple weeks (17 days, actually) with their grandparents. They've done this every summer now since we moved here.

Last summer Blake had just gotten his fist cell phone and started dabbling in text messaging. This year, however, he's a text expert ... or maybe addict is a better word. The phone is his new appendage ... it's become one with his hand. I know this because anytime I text him, whatever time of day, I get a reply within 30 seconds.

And when he's hanging out at home, he clings to it and turns his attention from whatever he's doing to read and reply to any messages.

And his answers are always short and sweet. But I've learned not to take it personally -- this is how he texts his friends, too.

Blake texting by the light of the campfire.

Me: "What are you guys up to today?"

Him: "Nothing" or "Headed to Yosemite."

Me: "Good night. Love you."

Him: "K"

Me: "Are you having fun?"

Him: "I guess." I think this is code for yes, but he wants to be cool about it. You know how 12-year-olds operate.

Me: "Is it cold?"

Him: "Yes." This must mean it's freezing. Of course, he's got Arizona blood now.

And then when I heard from my Sacramento Facebook friends that they had crazy wild lightning and thunderstorms, I texted Blake to see how he and Nick fared as they camped at Lake Tahoe with Grandma and Grandpa.

Me: "Hi. Did you have lots of thunder and lightning last night?"

Him: "Maybe."

Me: "What do you mean maybe?

Him: "I mean it did."

Meanwhile, the house has been a bit quieter. No big boys fighting over who gets to play Playstation or who gets to pick what to watch on the good TV. I've been doing way less laundry and don't have to go to the grocery store as often. Milk and cereal are lasting so much longer. And their bathroom is staying so clean.

But still, the house always feels not quite right when any of us are gone.

I'll be ready to see them when they come Tuesday. Until then, I'll enjoy my quiet(er) house.

The grandparents' idea of humor. Good acting, Blake.

Nick's turn.

A cute little bear