Summer

Summer           

"Are you ready for the summer?

Are you ready for the sunshine?
Are you ready for the birds and bees,
the apple trees,
and a whole lot of fooling around

Are you ready for the summer?
Are you ready for the hot nights?
Are you ready for the fireflies,
the moonlit skies,
and a whole lot of fooling around

No more pencils, no more books
No more teachers dirty looks
No more math and history,
Summer time has set us free

Are you ready for the summer?
Are you ready for the good times?..."

“Meatballs” – North Star Camp Kids Chorus

It’s Summer!!!!

Break out the bathing suits, stock the car with towels and find the sunblock, today it the first day of summer.  It is time to immerse ourselves in all the good summer vibes that living in California provides. This year my babykins is a year and a half; she has matured to enjoy things like the pool and popsicles. She is tall enough now to sit at a booth and just about reach over the edge. We picked up some breakfast for Daddy after she had a blood test. She was sore and a little unhappy but she perked right up when she was able to sit by herself and tell me a long story while we waited for the food. She is growing up so fast and although I do enjoy all of the new things we get to experience together I am trying to hold onto all of the memories because this time is flying by so fast. This is going to be the best summer so far!

The office I work out of is located in a strip mall with a grocery store and the fireworks stand is being assembled. You know what that means … Fourth of July! Wearing star spangled clothes, eating all day long, swimming and then rounding out the day with an amazing fireworks show courtesy of the Los Alamitos Air Force Base.

Vacations are coming, bags are being packed and soon this blog will be filled with sun kissed babies, blue waves of the ocean and bright sands from the desert.

For now enjoy some happy cousins taking delight in each other. Jenn

Moment of Potential

Moment of Potential

Right Now … I am so happy that it is Friday! I was explaining my love affair with “The Day Before” (see 04/19/13 blog) to Allie this morning in the shower because she was just unhappy that it was time to get up. She likes to sleep in just as much as her parents. It is such a pleasure to gradually wake up with my family. I love it when Allie rolls over with that crazy hair, pats my face and then enthusiastically says, “Plinka Plinka Plinka!” I think that means “Good Morning Mom, it is going to be a fabulous day! Let’s make cookies.” This morning was not one of those days, after I slept through my alarm I jumped out of bed and noticed that I was only about fifteen minutes late. Phew! Allie on the other hand did not jump out of bed she grabbed my neck and smashed her face in my chest and demanded that we snuggle. I snuggled her into the bathroom and then started the shower. She screamed, she screamed like I had thrown her in a pool of sharks when really I gently set her down, took off her clothes and rained trickles of soothing warm water on her back. It was a baby spa and she just wasn’t appreciating the entire ambiance I was supplying. So in a very calm and sing song voice I started to speak. I used flowing sounds, melodic phrases and like magic she was transfixed. She sat there and listened. She made little cooing noises when I started to slow down so I just kept talking. I think she got it. Fridays are magical. Fridays are the time just before the race, the delicious anticipation and moment of potential that fills me with joy. I might just enjoy “The Day Before” more than the actual event. I think that is also why I like the package or wrapping on gifts so much, the potential.




This is her listening face. Picture courtesy of Tim Miller.


Right now … my nephew Xander turned five! Can you believe it? Little baby Xander is a Big Boy. He will be starting Kindergarten in the fall just like his Big Brother Gabriel. We celebrated the momentous occasion with dinner at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant and then cake at Grandma’s house. A cake that I must say he simply adored. I think he might have even taken it home in his pocket if it would have fit. Allison, Emi and Gabriel were all very excited running around and around the living room laughing and falling into each other. Congratulations Xander!

Apparently we don't sing so well!



Who doesn't love cake?!



Right now … I found some pictures of Emi on the day she was born, 11/18/11. I thought I would share. Look at Big Brother Gabriel holding her tiny little body. He loved her before she was born and I think double that when she finally came out into the world.  

So enjoy the weekend but also savor that moment of potential!

Jenn

Camping!!!

Camping!!!

Oh how I love camping. Terry and I are Superstars when it comes to planning and packing. We act as a well-oiled machine; he crams all of our stuff into the perfect configuration in my little square Scion XB and I can set up camp in fifteen minutes. We pulled into the Crystal Cove Laguna Beach Campground, set up and immediately ran to the beach. Allison was so excited exploring shells, crabs and foaming waves. After a quick dip in the great Pacific Ocean it was time to cook dinner. Trader Joe’s curried chicken, pita bread and fresh mozzarella cheese and those SUPER addicting Pirate’s Booty! YUM! We like to camp with style, even though we do love a good weenie roast as well.

Allie was so excited to sleep in the tent; well actually she was really excited to jump all over Mommy and Daddy as they were trying to sleep in the tent. This girl is going to be a terror at sleep-overs; she never wants to miss the party and with an iron will stays awake so as not to miss a single memory. I do admire her zest for life, that unshakeable determination to experience everything around her. I like naps.

On Saturday morning we all got up early. When I mean all I am talking about the entire campground, all of the kids in all of the other sites were really excited and felt the need to shriek at ear piercing decibels. Allie loved this kicked me out of the tent so we could participate as well. I weaved my sleepy way to the bathroom. First things first in the morning, no matter where I am there is a schedule people! So after the schedule we ate Fig Breakfast Bars, Bananas (not me those things are yucky!) and some more Pirate’s Booty.  Terry joined us and we decided it was time to hit the beach again. Since this was a really quick trip, I could only get one night, it was now time to pack up camp. And I will tell you the people next to us sat there with opened mouth amazement at the speed and grace with which Terry and I packed up that campsite. I am not being sarcastic; they were talking and then just stopped and stared. I rolled, stuffed, organized and stacked all of the paraphernalia while Terry maneuvered car seats and used his tetris skills. See video games are good for you. Allison ran back and forth between the growing pile of items to be packed and the car shouting and giving orders like any good manager would do.

A day at the beach enjoying the water and dolphin sightings, Terry went free diving and tried very hard to swim with the dolphins but they were more interested in finding fish then playing. O well, maybe next time. All in all, it was a great birthday present for Terry. We are going to have to do this again.



I tried digging a hole to China.




Allie decided to sit in it instead, no Kung Poa Chicken this time.



Have a lazy weekend everyone!