what I need is all around me

fun

Sam had a bit of fun last night with Mary + Taylor...he gets a kick out of tying things up, and this time, it was their turn...

While that was going on, I was working on this:

 

Love taking a picture and blowing it up that much...12x8 might be my new favorite size!

just cute...

Overheard last night:

Anna:    Anna have some of Sam's oj?

Sam:    No, you can't have some of my oj.

Anna:    Anna want some of Sam's oj.

Sam:    No, Anna.

Anna:    Anna have tiny little bit of your oj?

Sam:    (To mom)  How do I say no to that?

New

For me, this time of year is more about "fresh starts" than New Year's.  This is the time of year that kids are going back to school and everything is new.  New clothes, new backpacks, new school supplies (one of my favorites!)  August just screams, "New" to me.

I'm giving it a try.  A new health kick.  Eating healthier while at work.  Hard-boiled eggs and yogurt for breakfast instead of Cheetos.  More water and less Dr. Pepper.  Stuff like that.  I'm also trying for something new creatively.  I'm taking a break from my 365 project.  For the past few months, it's been a "chore".  The whole goal was to inspire me to take more interesting photos.  Instead I'm taking the same one 3 or 4 times a week.  Total waste.

And a few more pictures from the weekend...

 

weekend pics

Yesterday we hung out at my parents.  The older kids had been having their summer "stay-cation" since Thursday, so things had been quiet around our house for the weekend.  Just a little fun time with Katy to keep us occupied.  :-) 

Took lots of fun pics of the kids in and around the pool:

  

  

 

I've had a frame in our newly painted bathroom forever, just waiting for the right pictures.  Finally got them!

 

wow!

Another month under our belt.  I just can't believe it!  Here's how it looked:

A few really great things happened in the past few days, as well.  We showered my dear friend, Lindy, and her baby-to-be with food, fun and gifts on Saturday.  My forever friend, Amy, gave birth to a baby girl.  Such a special thing to have a little girl.  Welcome to the world, Vivi!  I can't wait to meet you.  Also, we found out that our nephew, Jake, is doing just fine.  His oncologist gave us a bit of a scare but a meeting with his new pediatric cardiologist confirms that he is looking good.  Thank God for a healthy Jake.  We are so very thankful.

Sam and Mary are with my parents for the rest of the weekend, having a bit of a "stay-cation".  I'm sure they'll have a blast and we'll enjoy all the freedom that comes with being down two kids.  Primarily that means getting to eat whatever we want because Anna will eat anything.  :-)

I promise to be a better blogger in the coming days + weeks.  Work has been brutal lately but might just slow down in a few.  Here's to that!

In loving memory

Tonight our friend (and former nanny) called to tell me that her mother had passed away.  Just this week she was diagnosed with leukemia.  Apparently it was very advanced and when she developed pneumonia, her body was unable to fight the infection.

Sandy Berg was a sweet soul.  She spent a lot of time with her daughter, Terri, and my kids.  She was affectionately referred to as "Mom" by my kids because they simply called her what Terri did.  She was  extra generous with Christmas + birthday gifts and was always ready with a smile or a laugh.   Sam told me tonight that he's known her forever and that she was always super nice and "Let me touch her false teeth", which somehow makes me smile a bit.  Mary remembers spending time at her house, especially because she always had pets.

Looking through some old scrapbooks I was able to find this picture, taken from a page I did in 2001.  Here's Sandy, doing what she always did...helping my kids develop and grow.

Sandy was a great lady and will be missed beyond measure.  My heart goes out to Terri and her twin babies.  Please keep them in your prayers.

a new favorite

Sam:   Anna, you're cute!
Anna:   I'm not cute, I'm gorgeous!

You might be right, little one!

pretty girls

Finally got around to downloading the pictures I took of Mary and her new hair.  I'm telling ya...sometimes her beauty just takes my breath away.  And for the most part, she's as pretty on the inside as she is outside!

As for my other girl...Tonight she decided she was going to dance like no one was looking.  Only she wanted us to look.  Actually, she told me, "Take a picture of this, Mama!" 

Hard to capture the pure goofiness of the dancing, but hopefully you get the drift.  She's a cutie!

Yay me!

Even I can't believe it!

picture-filled post!

Saturday was quite the day around here, so there are many pictures to help me tell my stories.  Funny how that works out for a scrap-booking mama!

Before I get to Saturday, I'll post a few pictures of Anna from Friday at the salon.  As you'll remember, she was not ready for a cut.  Turns out her 'fro just grows higher and higher but not really in her eyes. So if we're ever going to have a chance at barrettes or ponies, we'll have to let it grow.   Have to admit I think the 'fro is pretty cute.  And not just because I had one exactly like it as a child and not just because she's my kid.  It's just plain cute.

You're agreeing with me, aren't you?  And man, it's really convenient she's so cute because in addition to that 'fro, she also inherited my whine...which isn't quite so cute.

So on Saturday, Jason won dad of the year award.  He volunteered to stand in line in the hot, muggy (for us) Arizona heat to buy Miranda Cosgrove cds.  With the cd, you received a wrist band.  The wrist band allowed you to come back later in the day, stand in another line, and actually meet her.  Holy exciting, Batman!  Mary enjoys her, but Sam has a crush.  Totally cute.  So...Dad spent about 90 minutes in the a.m. to get the cds (picking one up for our friend, Taylor, so she could come along, too) and find out the details of the meet-and-greet later in the day.  Then, he and the kids spent almost three hours in line to get their cds signed.  And he didn't even complain.  Yup, super dad.  Anyway, here is Mary with Ms. Cool:

I have to admit, I don't hate this gal.  Her show is funny, age-appropriate and she plays a goofy girl instead of someone "perfect".  Not sure about her music yet (haven't heard the cd), but the theme song to the show is hers and it doesn't make me want to bang my head against the wall.  She seemed to care about her fans, too. 

We prepped the kids ahead of time that maybe, just maybe, they'd want to chat with her as she signed their stuff.  You know, stuff like, "I really enjoy your show" or even, "What do you like to do for fun?".  Instead we got this:

Somehow he managed to put on a perma-grin in time for the big photo, though:

Also happening on Saturday was house cleaning.  Frankly, I think I got the good end of that deal.  Much rather be at home cleaning than standing in line somewhere, especially with three not patient kids.  And honestly, Jason was a huge help in the cleaning process, too.  At one point, he found Anna's knit cap and wondered aloud if it would still fit Anna this year.  My guess was yes, since her noggin is pretty small when you smoosh down the 'fro.  Anna agreed:

She makes me laugh.

We had our first super-duper loud monsoon of Anna's non-crib life and it resulted in a shared bed experience again last night.  Man, that thunder and lightening was intense.  We got wave after wave of storms, with the result being a ton of rain.  If I were a smart gal, I'd be out in the yard pulling weeds before my in-laws arrive on Tuesday.  Who's betting I'm a smart girl?  Yeah, not me, either.

Happy Sunday!