All in All...

Doesn't this look good? It is my friends, it is. Stephanie and John's pool is pretty much a little paradise, especially because whenever I am there they are such wonderful and gracious hosts that I feel like a queen. Lucky me has been able to enjoy the pool and the hosts (or at least one host) a lot lately and that's just fine by me. Sprinkle a little Kim in there, and it's all good.

July 4th was a blast, as I knew it would be. It's been our tradition to spend it with Steph and John for a few years now, and this year it turned out to be a bonafide party with Stu (yes, the Wine Genius) and his wife Debbie, Debbie's sister Michelle, Harry, Stacey, Coop-a-Doop, and Digby, Margo and Levi. Yes, doggies were invited too and darn it all, I did not get a photo of those guys. It was quite hilarious, all of them running around and sometimes in the pool. Poor Margo was just trying to get away from these crazy boys. She took refuge in anyone's arms, and that made for one happy Sullivan. Everyone contributed to the meal, and the food was delish. After some swim and some vittles, we all went out onto the golf course for the show. We all agreed that this year seemed to be the best one yet, amazing! Pretty darn satisfying, even if the fireworks are over very quickly--as Sullivan would say, "Just like a good sneeze." :-)

Stephanie, Kim and I took advantage of a last-minute free evening and went out for dinner to a restaurant called Luci Ancora in Saint Paul, of course on Steph's suggestion. YUM with a capital Y, it was positively delicious. And you just can't go wrong with a cozy dinner out with your peeps anyways. It was lovely!!

Then again with my fine friends, and again by the pool. It was a Mom/Kid affair, bringing the Trio together again. (sorry, but for certain annoying reasons only 2 of our children are shown in this photo...!) Btw, the kids are the only people you will see on this blog in their bathing suits, in case you are wondering...!!!

All in all, I'd say summer is going pretty darn well. Other than the fact that every time we have a storm lately it's a violent one, and in our woody lot it's causing many branches to be broken. Not fun because each time it happens they are left hanging over power lines or something and we have to pay to have someone come out and saw them down. This is getting expensive! I guess to be expected when you live in Cakeville...!

Silly Me Indeed

Silly me, I thought my diapering days were over. Well, at least on hold until I am a Heavy Metal Grandma--which (heaven help us)won't be for a VERY long time. But alas, we are leaving Sir Digby in the care of some dear friends as we embark on an overnight journey, and that little boy has been known to mark his territory at the slightest smell of another dog's...uh...markings. (sorry, Steph.!) The solution: a Doggy Diaper, complete with a hole for the tail. All I can say is, hilarious. Poor Digs, he looks quite humiliated, but luckily went along with it in stride. I'll feel much better knowing that if the leg does lift in someone else's home, all will be dry.

And silly me again, I thought buying a little plastic bunny for my daughter would be a nice little gift for her. We came across these guys in a bin and Vivian was instantly enchanted by them...they totally cater to her love of anything off-color (WHERE does she get that from?!) and the fact that it was a surprise as to which one you were actually going to get upon opening the box. Opening the box was definitely a surprise--and Vivian definitely got something off-color. We innocently turned it over and noticed that this bunny has a penis! Goodness! I am buying my daughter X Rated toys. Who knew?? Well, it was Urban Outfitters after all...I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. What next??? I'm afraid to ask. What I love most is that she actually took a black sharpie marker and colored the naughty bits right over so you can't even tell it was there. She did that on her own accord, kind of like Sullivan telling me when I do something that's not appropriate. You gotta love it when kids regulate themselves.

So tomorrow we're doing the Family Getaway---to be continued...

Another School Year

Lordy Lordy, I just sent my daughter off to the wolves...to her first day of Junior High at a brand new school. I think Coreman and I are more nervous than she is, neither of us slept a wink last night. She on the other hand, said she slept like a baby and she seemed cool as a cuke this morning. Soon I'll be sending Sullivan off to his new school as a 1st grader, as well. sigh.

Of course any parent is lying that says they don't look forward to that first day of school--well, at least any home-parent. My days to myself again! It feels good after a month of craziness. This past week of getting the kids registered and all of the rigamarole that goes along with that was quite overwhelming, on top of all of the moving stuff. I'll celebrate my new-found all day freedom by having coffee with my peeps this morning, yahoo! Now that Kim has her new job, she can join Stephanie and I for our weekly coffee ritual. Stephanie's Nathan is also starting a new school today, and with a new job to talk about as well, I'm sure the coffee shop will be buzzing this morning!!

Somehow this week we also managed to slip in a day at the State Fair. Nothing says 'end of the summer' like the State Fair. Once again our fine daughter managed to get her artwork accepted--and this time she won a blue ribbon!!!!! It was all I could do not to stand around the display telling everyone that peeked in that MY DAUGHTER drew that cool blue-ribbon-winning haunted castle. (yes, a haunted castle. very metal indeed.) We ate the usual fair fare and had a wonderful time. A family tradition!

And, a happy happy birthday to our sweet Sir Digby, who turned one yesterday. What a gift he has been to our family! Here he is with his new birthday toy!

Truly Spring

You know it is truly spring when you don't even mind picking up poop in your back yard. Yes, at 62 degrees and sunny, it is INDEED spring. Wahoo! The kids have a couple of days off because of school conferences and they couldn't have picked better ones weather-wise. Yesterday we took a big long walk down to the park, Digby and all. He was amazing--he's come a long way in the walking department. He used to only get a few steps from our house then look back at it and whine. Not anymore! We played at the park, explored some trails behind it and came out into another park. There and back again! That's my kind of adventure.

This morning our house was blessed by Cooper-doo's presence, and he had quite an adoring audience. This afternoon, just chillin' and pickin' up poop. Life is (mostly!) good. (considering picking up poop isn't exactly a pleasurable experience..!)

Frigid Fun

Yay, Saturday. It's been a busy couple of days here and all I can say is, THANK G-D. This frigid weather is making me cooped up and crabby, I've needed some diversions. I am so ready to breathe in the spring air! Heck, I'd be happy with 30 degree air at this point. Grief!

Thursday afternoon Stephanie brought her adorable little nephew Cooper over to hang since he didn't have much of a nap. (now that's the kind of Coop-ed up I like...!) We've been trying to plan this for weeks now, but little Coop was not Coop-operating. Ah well, I guess it IS about the child getting his nap and not about us. MAN, what a little cutie-pie. We all wanted to eat him up, especially Digby. Poor Digs, he over-played his moves and had to go in the crate. He clearly knew he did, too, because he didn't make one peep when I put him in there! The cutest was when Sullivan came out to say hello. Cooper immediately crawled right over and pulled himself up on him. The sweetest! I'm tellin' ya, that kid is almost enough to make me drop an egg. ALMOST. (sorry the photos are so out of focus. Not quite sure why...?)

Yesterday afternoon it was another jaunt over to Fallon, where Vivian did some more 'work' and we hung and watched the rough-cuts of the commercials. That place is a blast, complete with pool table, ping pong table, putting green, (well, the hallway, but still.) snacks galore, a glorious view. Almost makes me want to be corporate again. Again? Okay, I guess I never WAS corporate. And I suppose they really aren't, either...which is what makes them so great! We had a great time once again hanging out with everyone. It will be sad to see it all end when the project is truly finished!

This morning was Digby's play group at the Humane Society--thank goodness--and now it's just doing stuff around the house until it's time to head over to the choich for 'Adult Night Out'. I'm looking forward to this, mainly because I can't wait to see my husband participate in those cheezy 'getting-to-know-you' games they undoubtedly have planned for everyone. Tee hee!