HODGEPODGE

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009 Stars National dance competition was this last Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas. I drove the paperwork, Judy’s computer and our suitcases etc down Wednesday and met Judy at the Las Vegas airport. We stayed at the Sun Coast Casino, well west of the Strip. Spring Valley High School where the competition was held is out that way also so we were able to miss the worst of the traffic. Jim and Molly drove down separately but shared our hotel room. Molly helped Judy in Tabulation and running back and forth gathering score sheets helping at the trophy table at the end of the competition etc. On their way to Las Vegas, Jim and Molly stopped at some hot springs in Meadow (?), and planned on swimming in them on their way home though I don’t think they did. They were running late. I understand Sierra and her team; Salt City Stars did well but I was working admissions and missed seeing her. Chris and Lynn were there but I only saw them as they were coming and going. This morning Niki called. She wanted to buy me lunch for Fathers Day. Mondays and Fridays Stacey works and I watch Jayden and Bailey so of course they went with me. We went to Niki’s house first and the moment we walked in the door Alexa saw Bailey and Jayden and the house burst open with yelling and screaming and running to and fro. I am afraid it was a bit much on Niki’s nerves though I was glad to see them enjoying each other’s company and having fun. We ate lunch at I-HOP. Oh, while we were waiting for Niki to get ready to go to IHOP, I walked Gavin. He is now comfortable holding onto JUST ONE HAND. At one time I held his hand, not the other way around. Doing this I was able to let go of him. At one time when he was good and stable, I let go and he took seven steps on his own. Of course Niki lamented not seeing it. We ate lunch at I-HOP then Jayden and Bailey and I went to my house. We donned our swim suits and spent two hours at the pool. At one point Jayden and Bailey were goofing off and Jayden grabbed her with one hand, held his other hand to the square and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ amen!” then shoved her under water. Bailey came up sputtering and gasping for air, grabbed him, said, “I take you for my husband” and shoved him under. He came up, grabbed her and said, “I take you for my girlfriend” and shoved her back under. Another time they were doing somersaults under water and a couple of times they faced each other, did a backward somersault, came up and did a front somersault…synchronized swimming. Hmm! My observation is that Jayden and Bailey are the best of friends/worst of enemies; the worst of enemies part lasting for no more that a minute or two; often only seconds. They are so competitive. Both Jayden’s and Bailey’s swimming abilities are improving quickly. For a while the game of the moment was, swim to Grandpa and wrestle with him. One time when I was able to get a good head start, we chased in a big circle in total amounting in distance to about one an a half widths of the pool. And they did it at a fast pace. Bailey also has pretty good form when she dives though I don’t think they went to the deep end once today.