stories stacked up

I have just a few minutes before we are going to Jay’s last swim class of the summer, so I thought I’d just chime in for a second. A lot has been happening in the last few days. So much I’d like to blog about but really not enough time, especially when my house is a wreck and I spend time reading other people’s blogs!

I’d like to blog in more detail but here are a few highlights that have me thinking this week.

* I am watching the Tour de France. Yes, you too can watch it if you get the VS channel. Love it!

* On Wednesday I had the honor of being present when my friend, Eileen, gave birth to her 3rd baby. Eileen and I have known each other since 5th grade. More to come on that story. (I was crying like a baby when that baby came out . . .then basically couldn’t speak as I was trying to capture the first few moments on  film for them. I am amazed at the miracle of LIFE!

* The next day, Thursday (yesterday) I went to Newport Beach with Holli and we witnessed the tragic story of a man being pulled from the water. Don’t know if you heard about it, but you can read it here. I cried again while praying that that man would know Jesus. I am so thankful that the kids were oblivious to what was happening. But this has stayed with me, even to this morning. The juxtaposition of witnessing birth then death the very next day has me feeling unsettled . . .

* Anywhoo! I’m thankful my parents are coming over after swim class today to help me with the kids while I pull my house together!!! Love the grandparents!  I’ve got stuff to post about swim class too. Oh and my sister is coming to visit from Texas in 9 days!!! Woot, Woot!!!!!!!

Know I really have to go. I basically let Kellen run amuck as I  wrote this and I am smelling something distinct now!

the fourth of july

for many years now, we’ve trekked down to the mosher’s place and joined in the 4th of july fun at their annual block party. (we think we’ve actually convinced a few neighbors that we live in the neighborhood.) we always enjoy hanging out with the moshers, and we were looking forward to a fun day celebrating our country’s independence. (oh by the way, the john adams miniseries is a must see).

this year i decided to make a patriotic trifle and it turned out great, even if i do say so myself.

kellen did a lot of trying to drink the water off the sidewalk . . . i just laughed and took pictures!

jay had fun at the whipped cream pie eating contest!

kellen and daddy just hangin’ out.

oh and jay’s highlight of the day was making a new friend! we think he was a little smitten with her, but it was fun to see them have such a good time playing together.

just realized that i’m not in any pictures! i guess that’s what happens when you are the one with the camera. (note to self: pass the camera around so i’m at least in ONE picture, geesh.)

it’s coming

in just 11 more days . . . one of my favorite things happens in the summer.

for those that know me, you know it is so out of character for me. i’m not even sure where my fascination was born.

i just know i L-O-V-E  it!!!

and this year is special because he returns!

oh i can’t wait for the drama (yes, there is LOTS of drama!)

the excitement

the commentary

and my favorite, george will be there.

the tour, baby! it’s going to be a GREAT july!

 

flowering

In February I planted a bunch of tulip bulbs with the help of my niece Emma. I even sent her home to Texas with some bulbs to plant at her house. 

Emma was a trooper helping me weed and get our area ready for the bulbs. Debs even pitched in and weeded too! I was so hoping for a front planter filled with bloomin’ tulips this spring. Well this is what I got:

In total I think only 4 tuilps bloomed of the 20 0r so bulbs we planted. So disappointing. I must say I did enjoy the few that bloomed, but my expectation was seriously let down. Thinking back, I probably waited too long to plant them.

So after I cleared away yet more weeds . . . I went to Target and bought a few “drought resistant” flowering plants. I hope they make it! I don’t know, but “drought resistant” sounds like it is hard to kill. Mostly, I’m hoping they multiply a little to fill in the space. A few years back I bought a little lavendar plant, and it was THRIVED! It has grown in size and really filled out. In fact I trimmed it down a bit the other day because it was just so massive. (The lavender plant is the in the first picture behind where Emma is working.)

Every morning I go out, I check out my flowers . . . hoping they are still living . . . looking for signs of wilting or drying up . . . so far so good!

1st grade graduate

Last week marked the end of first grade for Jay. I can’t believe he’s going into 2nd grade in September!! It seems like he is growing so quickly now. He had a great year and loved his teacher Mrs. Bianco. It is truly amazing to watch an emergent reader at the start of the year, blossom into a full fledged reader by the end!!! 

 

Here is Jay on the first day of first grade.

And here he is on the last day of first grade!

Jay really enjoyed Mrs. Bianco as his first grade teacher.

Jay is also fond of his principal, Mrs. Dailey! She came to his school as principal the year Jay started kindergarten, so they’ve been at Wagner the same length of time!

Jay’s first grade starting height was 45.5 inches and he weighed 45.4 pounds. By June he is now 49.4 inches and 49.6 pounds!

That means Jay grew 4 inches and 4 pounds in first grade. 

This mama duck is looking forward to summer and keeping all her baby ducks close by! Jay is at such a fun age and I can’t wait to have a fantastic summer with him.

Just love this little boy!

bessie

 

This video was originally shared on blip.tv by techmaverick with a No license (All rights reserved) license.

the force is strong in this one

how do you spend your afternoons? we practice our jedi moves!

it’s official!

that’s right! our boy can now ride a bike!!! after many months of trying and lack of interest, jay has finally mastered the bike. and believe me, it is ALL he can talk about tonight. he even made his first skid mark on the sidewalk. way to go, jay!

This video was originally shared on blip.tv by techmaverick with a No license (All rights reserved) license.

blockbuster

with summer comes the “blockbuster” movies. in our house right now, the only “blockbuster” comes in the form of a dvd called baby signing time! kellen is not only learning lots of signs, but so is jay. i’m really not sure which kid loves it more. thanks mark & eva for the dvd . . . we play it ALL the time!

three words

mike and i had planned and looked forward to a date night this last friday. however, since i got broncitis this week, i just wasn’t up for it. being the warm, loving wife that i am, i told mike to go ahead and call his friend to see if he wanted to see the movie. they went to a late showing of star trek.

when mike climbed in bed he glanced over at me sensing i was awake and said only these words, “It . . .  was . . .  awesome!”