Saturday we had as much of the family as we could assemble for a swim/picnic day. Of course there was food. Some of us couldn't wait to dig in. Roger had the boys playing ball. Aiden has a turn at bat. I think Lois was the umpire/catcher. Relaxing by the pool is a must. Best seats to watch the kids too! Silas in his own world with Kenny's watch. Lois shows the triplets how to swim. Rubí who is very ... Read More

Now, when I say beside the pool, I mean BESIDE the pool. We have a pool, and it's a blessing to have one. Even after all the labor that is involved with opening it, closing it, maintaining it, it's wonderful to have a pool. The thing is, we live on a property with a LOT of trees. Another blessing really, except when it keeps the SUN off of our water, and in June it still feels mountain stream FRESH. In other ... Read More

Around the house all is looking ready for preparation for summer. ... Read More

Today while at the post office, apparently I was standing next to something of a celebrity. Mike Massey is the 2000, 2002, and 2003 World Artistic Pool champion, the 2000 and 2001 Trick Shot Magic champion, and the 2003 WPA World Artistic Pool Jump Shots champion.  He began performing trick shots in 1975. A lot more about his career can be found here. I didn't know who he was, but the man working at the Post Office recognized him immediately. After a ... Read More

Today was a "Cammy Day" as we call them, and being summer, swimming in the pool was definitely a highlight scheduled for the day. Now Cammy being older, knows how to do a lot more in the pool than Silas and of course Rubí. Rubí is not yet enchanted with getting into the water, yet, and Silas seems to run out of things to do soon. So, I decided to fill up some buckets with water. Next was Rubí's turn. So much time was spent ... Read More

This year Laura completes her last year of high school. We couldn't let the occasion pass without a party! ... Read More

After way too many years, Flavio stopped by for a quick visit with Lucas and Ryan. In typical 90+ degrees Maryland summer heat, the natural thing to do was to invite them for a swim. The boys jumped right in. Flavio avoids being decapitated as Silas "cleans" the pool. Water games were next. Lucas played Enric's guitar after lunch. Flavio and Ryan take turns holding Baby Rubí ... Read More

While Enric, Miranda, and Silas is here, my sister and family brought Aiden and Conner for a visit. Conner got to know the new baby kitty. Silas and the boys had some fun at the pool. Conner and Aiden got to help feed baby kitty Jasper. Jasper is growing up so fast, but isn't yet ready to give up the bottle! ... Read More

...and the water is fine! After much labor in May; getting the leaves out, the cover off, the filter and pump cared for, and cleaning the sides of the pool, it is now finally swimable! After a chilly and very wet May and June, the water is starting to be swimable. We even put up a clothesline for the towels! ... Read More

Technically, it's not the end of summer, but school has begun for most, and signals the end of summer vacation. With that in mind, mom and I told the kids to invite their friends for a party. After days of preparation, the party day started for me at 6 AM, picking up Miquel at work, where I also bought drinks and ice. Mike got the party started with a rousing....... ...nap. Miquel set up the music. Mike K and Laura splash around Brandon did acrobatics into the ... Read More

Conner also enjoyed his day at the pool. He is such a happy smiley baby. And what is more fun than a wheelbarrow ride?   An after swim cuddle is nice too....     ... Read More

We had the blessing that Linda, Roger, and Kim brought Dennis, Aiden, and Conner to come spend a day at the pool with us. It's been good to watch these boys grow and thrive. Aiden is like a charging bull, but he is so much fun. He enjoyed his day and I enjoyed taking pictures of him. I think I finally have a camera fast enough to keep up with Aiden. ... Read More

When Laura and I made our trip to Wisconsin, we saw an item in the SkyMall catalog on the plane for a floating light for a swimming pool. Today, as we needed something for the pool, we went to the pool store and found the same light, but for about $5 less. We bought it. As soon as it went dark we dashed out to the pool to give it a try. Also, being the day before the 4th of July, I thought ... Read More

The other night, we had a violent storm roar in, bringing with it pounding rains, loud, earth shaking clapping thunder, and constant flashes of lightning....and something else...something noisy coming from the pool area. Laura was the first to notice it. She tried to get my attention. I wasn't very quick to respond. The storm had been conjured up from the hot and humid conditions of the day, and it had taken all my energy. I wasn't ready for a romp in ... Read More