More Nor Cal Summer

Also while in Nor Cal this summer at Grandma and Papa's house...

Lots of running in the sprinkler covered in band aid art...(and doesn't she look big all of a sudden?)...

Running in wide open spaces (why did Grandma always get stuck doing the running?)...

Our little fish loving the pool....

Lots and lots of sprinkler running (with Grandma!)... in hundred degree weather...

And even some listening and sitting still under the shade of the tree in the front yard.

And mama got to do tons and tons of running to train for her very first "race" -- a Tough Mudder in Lake Tahoe a few weeks later. Not being a runner, it was pretty exciting to do 10 miles and 20 obstacles with close friends. This is 40, people. Well, 40 after electrocution and climbing under barbed wire...

Bloody ankles and dirty legs, good friends who clean up well for a well deserved dinner and passing along the training to the youngest monkey...

969. not getting stung
970. after dinner walks
971. bedroom fans
972. early naps

Katy Kay in the Summertime

In June, the kids and I spent two full weeks in northern California at Grandma and Papa's house. It was full of fun, sun, swimming and streaming movies. We really need to up our game when it comes to television and internet connections here at home. A big high light was spending the day with Katy Kay! We went to the lake where the girls got their feet wet and Ford threw himself face first into the water.

Fordy, soaked... and eating awesome Aunt Christi snacks...

A little cousin happiness...

And we even got to go to dinner with Katy and roll around on the grass...

And have awesome cousin hugs before the night was over.

965. looking forward to move of this
966. even attending her birthday party
967. dates lining up
968. relief from pressure

Avery's Big Day

Way back in the beginning of summer, Abby's sweet friend Avery had her birthday. It was a cake pop making party, so of course the girls ran and jumped and frolicked and snuggled in Avery's pink room that actually looks like an amazing cake pop!

Ford was busy putting letters on the chalkboard wall that had magnetic primer underneath. Uhhh... brilliant!

And there was chef hat decorating....

And sugars to dip into....

And three happy little loves who love each other and love sugar!

961. friends that live close by
962. getting into annual birthday routines with pals
963. sound asleep in the back seat
964. an inspirational conversation out of the blue (but planned by God)

Preschool Wrap Up

May I just say, to any and all that think that teaching preschool must be a cinch, that you've better think again. Or twelve more times. A teacher that gives parent/teacher conferences about a 3 year old's pencil-holding techniques (and is very joyfully serious about it) deserves to be commended.

I can't shout it from the mountain tops enough, "WE LOVE YOU, MRS. NELSON!"

This is the teacher who videoed her class singing happy birthday to Abby and then sent it via text to my cell phone that day. This is the teacher who took the time to stand outside with Abby at recess, every day for 9 days, until she was no longer afraid of Ben, the boy who chased her and told her she was "bad." This is the teacher who took great joy in reporting that now, Abby walks outside to recess everyday with open arms, waiting for a hug from said Ben. Anyone who will hand-hold my daughter down the halls of forgiveness deserves something more than letterpress stationery for a thank you gift (and yet, that's what she got!)

Here she is, with Abby on her last day.

Saying goodbye to two of her closest pals (I know these girls by what Abby tells me that they brought to Share Day = "She's the one who brought in the singing Rapunzel jewelry box, mom." "She had the Clarice doll from Rudolph, mom." I realized that Share Day = what I want for my birthday aka "how to covet what your friends have").  Cute Amanda....

Her teachers aid, Mrs. Tsai. We loved her happy smile and sweet demeanor.

And one little guy's mom practically tackled me on the last day, telling me how much her son talked about Abby. (If she only knew how much Abby talked about Share Day or Ben ... or everything, right?). Abby and Canaan. Cute buds.

Thinking back to the beginning of the year when I was terrified she'd never go to school without Bunny (remember him?), I am so thankful for the year our girl has had. She loved school, her teachers, her experiences and.... having things to accomplish, learn and sing.  God Bless America still kills me coming from that little mouth.  We've been blessed, indeed.

957. getting to sit on the purple square
958. impromptu visits that fill me up
959. walking the hard road, knowing it's right
960. Abby wanting to give something away

Miss. Steinway

A number of months ago, our elderly next door neighbor never came home from a long stay at the hospital. As they were going through her things, we found out she had a Steinway in her home that was from the 1920s. We threw our name in the ring .... they were fire sale-ing that baby -- and we won her. We love that it's mere feet away from where it's been happily residing for over 40 years and even happier that now the kids can learn!

In fact, here is Abby faking it with her "sheet music" -- it's either blank pages or princess coloring book pages, depending on the mood!

Sometimes, it turns into an entire show if you are able to catch her...

And other days, it looks like she's been playing for years.  Already, Miss. Steinway (it's definitely female!) has graced us with hours of happiness. It's time for Papa to come teach us all a few things!

951. an unexpected email

952. texting if we have to

953. Grant's negotiation ability

954. good advice

955. having to wait

956. feeling protected

Pardon The Pause

Okay, people (and by people I really mean both Grandmothers!), the wait is over. Our very uneventful life is back on display... my blog hiatus is over.

May this tide you over for a few days -- a shot where Abby actually said, "Mom! Quick! Take our picture." First of all, "huh?" Calling me over for a picture? I must've lapsed in taking my 20 pictures a day and she was going through withdrawls. Secondly - can you believe I got this non-smiling winner?

Summer is racing by. We've yet to do our beach day...but it's in sight. And we've shoved a lot of other fun stuff in. More to come!

946. making our money back on craigslist
947. selling his couch
948. belief in crazy timing
949. learning to enjoy the  process
950. focusing on others when we worry about ourselves

Here's To The Dentist

After yet another blog hiatus, here is a really overdue post from May. Eeek!

"They do, mom. They do have princess glasses." 

"Hmmm. Are they really princess glasses? I thought they were just pink." 

"No, mom. Truly.  Trust me. They do."

If you would've told me that a pair of princess glasses and a silly ring from a "treasure chest" would engender gratitude from our four year old at the dentist, I'd have thought you were crazy. And yet, she's fallen for the ruse. Hallelujah.

Here she is in the waiting room. It's almost like Santa is about to walk around the corner as she remembers, that just like last time, if she'll only lay back and relax, she'll get something princessy..... You can almost hear her fiercely whispering it.

Settling in and feeling fine...

And after she got done with her cleaning. Too cool for school...

And what's a trip to the dentist without a little sugar afterward to ensure good teeth brushing that night? "Brush off all the sugar bugs!"

942. home again
943. anxiety subsiding
944. a new morning routine
945. seeing her big girl face