Swimming Lessons

Caleb and Eva completed an intense week of swimming lessons and they loved every minute of it!  It was a rough start for me.  The teacher made me cry when she wouldn't let me sit with Caleb until he got into the water the first day.  There were no other adults around that weren't in the pool and I was worried Caleb might run away.  He did run away the next day so then I was allowed to stay.  That was the only day he had a problem, though.  Once he got into the water he was fine.  He just didn't like waiting for the other class to finish.

Eva was quite the swimmer!  We got to watch the last day and she was swimming all over the place and even in the deep end!  She didn't lift her head to take a breath so she is still in the level 1/2 class but we signed them up for another week in August and I'm sure by then she'll be able to move on to level 3.

Caleb also improved so much!  He doesn't hold his nose anymore and he loves going underwater.  He also did some swimming in the deep end but was a little hesitant and wanted his teachers to help him (about 1/2 the class needed this extra help). 

We were going to take them swimming today to show off their new found skills but the weather doesn't seem to be cooperating.  I'm so proud of all they were able to accomplish this week!

Swimming Lessons

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2009/07/swimming-lessons.html

This Shouldn't Be Funny.

Caleb was having a bad night the other night and said, "Shut your freakin' mouth!".  I asked Caleb who taught him those words and he pointed at daddy.  I already  knew exactly where he got that phrase from.   That's right.  I've gotten after Carl before about saying that to the kids because Caleb is a little mimic.  I was on my high horse giving Carl a lecture when Caleb shouted, "Open the freakin' door!".  Caleb pointed to me. 

Oops.  Mommy taught him that one. 

We tried not to laugh about it.

This Shouldn't Be Funny.

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2009/07/this-shouldn-be-funny.html

Talking About Toolulu

Most of you know that I started a business with Deb.  It is called Toolulu and it is happily taking over my life.  I've had several people ask me just what it is we do so I thought I'd do a quick post about it here.

Toolulu is at its core a marketing company with a social media focus.  We're taking our communication/public relations backgrounds and combining it with our real world knowledge of social media.  Our work styles compliment each other and we have been able to accomplish some great things in just a few short months.

I've actually been doing this kind of consultation for a few years now.  I get asked my advice a lot by friends and family members on how to start an online business (like an Etsy shop) or how put together a blog.  I love sharing this kind of information and over the years I think I've got a lot of tips and tricks that help save people a lot of time and energy.  We're just ready to take it to the masses. 

We are doing some one on one consultations and preparing some marketing strategies for a few businesses.  In addition to that, we're teaching several classes.  So far our classes have been local but we're looking into taking them online.  We want them to be interactive and we're trying out some services to see what will work best. 

In my "spare" time I've been trying out new software, applications, and doing lots of reading.  I keep joking with Carl that I'm earning my MBA in my craft room.  I've had a goal of being able to earn a comfortable living on my own by the time both kids are in school.  I've got one more year and I feel like we're well on our way to making it happen. 

Are you ready to be Toolulu'd?

Here is the commercial part of my post.  We'd love any referrals.  Do you know any businesses or individuals that could use our services?  Could you?  Send them our way! 

Talking About Toolulu

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2009/07/talking-about-toolulu.html

Scout Camp Car Wash

I went to the scout camp car wash last night.  My car was a little dirty but I thought I would up the ante.  I took my chalk markers and tested them out on windshields.  They work like a dream!  Maybe I'll have to chalk my logos onto my van for everyday driving! 

 

Eva and Caleb really liked having their pictures on the windows. 

Who needs those little vinyl decals?  Not me!

I didn't forget to put in a little plug for our Stalking Suzanne blog.  It was at her house, after all!

Scout Camp Car Wash

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2009/07/scout-camp-car-wash.html

Phew.

We've been waiting on some reimbursements from the university since February.  It amounted to about 1/2 month's salary.  We were starting to feel the burn.  They FINALLY came last week. 

So happy.

Today is the day Carl gets paid summer pay.  Have I mentioned how much I love summer pay? 

I'm trying to remember that I've already spent more than my fair share of that (uh, Chicago & Orlando).

That doesn't mean I still won't celebrate today.  Maybe I'll go get a treat while the kids are at swim lessons. 

Phew.

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2009/06/phew.html

Cousins

Fifteen kids under the ages 12 and under.  All facing forward.  Most happy.  All cute.  Like the girls dresses?  They were a custom order from refibered.  Good stuff.

Cousins

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2009/06/cousins.html

Immigration Day

Remember a while back when I represented Nebraska for a video for Purple States? Excerpts from all participants have been put together in really great pieces. You can go to that website to see the one about advice for President Obama was seen on CNN. The one I want to show today is the latest and it is all about immigration.

I don't usually use this blog for serious topics. I don't live my life like that. Many of these things don't affect my daily routines. That doesn't mean I don't have opinions about them.

When you have 50 opinionated bloggers and try to get that down to a 5 minute video, a lot gets taken out. My small part actually summed up my opinion pretty well. Blame the business owners.

I lived in Mexico for a year and a half. I lived in 4 different states (Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Colima). I met thousands of people. Many of them were struggling. Some had been to the US. Some had relatives working in the US (legally and illegally). I think living among them and working with them gave me a different perspective.

Guess what? Most of them don't want to be here. They'd rather be at home with their families. They'd love to work in their homeland. You know, they aren't here for the weather! They are here because PEOPLE PAY THEM. They get hired for little to nothing but that is little to nothing better than what they could get at home.

I don't discount that what they are doing is illegal. They know what they are doing is wrong. But if there were no jobs for them to do here, they wouldn't risk it. So, what's the solution? Glad it isn't my job to figure that one out. I'll gladly take potty training over that any day.

Immigration Day

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2009/06/immigration-day.html