cruel

This could go down as the meanest blog post on record.  Perhaps it is cruel to post such pictures of your kids and think that it is funny.  The road through the Mojave is a bit treacherous.  Lots of curves and even more roller coaster dips from the soft sand below.  To top it off our rental car had high windows which prevented the boys from being able to see out of the car at all.  Cruel.  Unfortunately, Wally didn't alert us to his feeling sick until it was too late.  Ten minutes after recouping from this episode, Fritz also threw up a ton.  With one travel pack of wipes and one bottle of water, we were under prepared for such a catastrophic event on our road trip.  I had to summon up as much motherly fortitude as I could and scrape the car seats clean with my bare hands.  Also cruel!  Thank heavens we were headed to Uncle Brian and Aunt Cheryl's desert house where we enjoyed a fabulous dinner and I did laundry and hosed down the rental car.

Cruel to post a picture of your kid striped to his underwear on the side of the highway?  

We had to laugh.  It was the only thing to do.  

Mojave Desert road trip

Our family adventure to 29 Palms to welcome home Uncle Jonny began with a quick flight to Las Vegas and a beautiful drive through the Mojave Desert.  We stopped to poke around the desert a bit, collect rocks, inspect cactus, and marvel at the rock formations.  Gorgeous.

angel food cake

My birthday tradition made thanks to a visit from Gramma and two helpful kitchen boys.  Yum!

I love this picture of my dad so much.  That was a lucky shot.  

family lunch

Fritz bush whacking. 

Roscoe the dog cousin.

Dancing in the grass.

Ryan scared to death that he is being left with Auntie Jessica.  Clinging to his mother for dear life!  

preschool summer birthdays

The last day of preschool had me more emotional than the first.  I can't believe these boys are so big that they have actually finished their first year of school.  Amazing.  We have LOVED our preschool, friends, and especially teachers.  It has been such a joy to watch the beginnings of my boys becoming students.

Before school ended both boy's classes had a "Summer Birthdays Party".  It was fun, but I secretly wish it had never happened.  It has caused their impending birthdays to be the focus for much, much longer than they should be.  They both announce to ANYONE who will listen (or not!) that it is almost their birthday.  There was a jumpy house and ice cream, so one can see how it was pretty exciting for the ALMOST 4 and 3 year olds.  

{this moment}

{this moment} - Joining Soulemama's Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  

talking points

Things I have heard today from Walter:

"Mommy what kind of jumpoline is that?  I think it is a basketball, big kid jumpoline."  (trampoline)
"Look Mommy, Olivia's daddy is cooking at the bar-ga-u.  They are having a bar-ga-u dinner."
"Yes, I mam."  (am)