poolrats

shutterfinger

Linus got a kids' model digital camera for Christmas from his Granny and Grandad, and it is one of his favorite things in the world. A few weeks ago it went missing, and just when we thought that it might be lost forever, Mama found it on a high shelf in the laundry room (in a box full of cleaning rags -- I have no idea how it got there, but I think it must have been me). Tonight we downloaded the photos from the memory card for the second time in the past 6 months. Here are some of the keepers:

dino days

We love the library. Love it. This week there was a special kid-friendly lecture about dinosaurs and ice age creatures at one of our local libraries. The big kids were enthralled, the little kid whined and asked to go home the entire time. It's hard to be the youngest. Especially close to lunchtime.

They grow up so fast, don't they?

This week we had the opportunity to help care for the cats and kittens of our good friends. We have a special place in our hearts for these kittens because they happen to be the grandchildren of our kitty, Plume, which also makes them the nieces and nephews of our kitties Spats and Pudge. Pictured below is Gurgi (aka "Key") nursing some of her brood. And here she is almost 13 months ago to the day nursing with her brothers. Amazing the difference a year will make, huh?

goodbyes

Late last week we learned that our very sweet next door neighbors have sold their home and are moving. We're very sad to lose such great neighbors (they've been here since our houses were built in the mid-60s). Gwendolyn has been especially broken up about the news and has wanted to go visiting every single day. The kids made some sweet goodbye cards and we dropped by as a family for one last visit this evening. I hate goodbyes.

stump speech

Casper: Can we watch Wall-E and Eve?
Mama: No, today is Sunday.
Casper: Can we turn it to Friday?

Casper: I tell you a tory? One time there was a little boy doggie named Toffee and he played with Casper!

shade

Linus, asking Mama to trim his fingernails: Will you fingernail my hands?

watch out for this one

Casper, to Mama: You say uh-huh and I'll say mm-mmm.

Casper: I want some crunchings and munchings!

Casper, holding out his left hand and then his right: This is my light singer and this is my zapper.

fun with faces

after (making what you might call my Glenn Beck face) . . .

. . . and before.

toothless

Well, we weren't sure it would ever happen, but it finally did! Exactly 8 weeks shy of her 8th birthday, Gwendolyn lost her first tooth (bottom left). She's been wiggling it for well over a year, and the adult tooth is half grown in behind it already, but a couple of weeks ago it was jarred (by the cat) and has been slowly threatening to come out. Tonight she wiggled the thing right out of her head and she could not have been more thrilled.

37

My sweetie is 37 today. We had a really fun day with him. He took the afternoon off of work, and we told him that we'd do whatever he chose (for once) -- so we ended up going to a matinee of Toy Story 3. (Actually, the children "planned" this as a surprise for him.) After I bought him a kebab, we all headed over to the cinema for the movie. (Casper told us yesterday that he is a particular fan of "Buzz Light Beer").

The kids relished giving him their presents (assorted books, a handmade bookmark, and a beautifully wrapped paperclip!), then we went outside to take a whack at Gwendolyn's homemade pinata (created with layers of wet toilet paper and filled with confetti and a single piece of candy from her stash).

Todd made an amazing birthday dinner for himself (pasta with leek and sausage ragu, the usual garlic bread), but had to rush off to a church meeting before he could sit down to enjoy it. We're going to keep the celebrations coming for the next couple of days. I think we have to, since the (German chocolate) cake isn't even iced yet.

Not as good as Jeff's action shot from Todd's last birthday pinata, but two years makes a tradition!

This birthday has also spawned some funny comments around the house:

Gwendolyn: How old will Daddy be on his birthday?
Mama: 37.
Gwendolyn: 37! Whoa, he's almost 40! I thought he was turning 63.

snakes and lizards and turtles, oh my!

Our library system has a series of summer events for kids; this week, one of the libraries held Reptile Day. Gwendolyn, my animal enthusiast, wanted to pet and cuddle every snake, turtle, and bearded dragon in the room. She made special friends with this California king snake.

There was also a giant turtle who took each of the boys for a ride (the turtle's owner just picked Linus up from behind and placed him right on top of the turtle, which startled Linus, but didn't seem to phase the turtle). I think we've seen this friendly turtle around town.

grateful sunday

This week I am thankful for:

• Independence Day. I'm thankful for the people who fought for our liberties so long ago so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. We've spent a lot of time reading about and studying the American Revolution the past couple of weeks, and this week, we got to visit Todd's library to see an early printed facsimile of the Declaration of Independence. We then went to see the state's 1950 replica of the Liberty Bell (all 50 states have one, and Texas' just happens to be a few yards from Todd's office). [Todd is offering a bigger and better tour on Wednesday morning. Let me know if you want in.]
  
• Rain! This week has been mostly overcast, cooler and wet. We've needed the rain and I'm thrilled that we got some.
• My bed. I don't know how I end each day so utterly exhausted, but I love our bed and it makes me so happy to be able to collapse into it at bedtime.
  
• The good conversationalist that I'm married to. Somehow, we've found some time this week to just sit around and talk, which is one of my favorite things to do with Todd. How thankful I am that I get to spend eternity with such an interesting person.
  

Happy 4th!

See these cute hats and necklaces? Lest you think I suddenly got all creative and talented, I want to throw all the credit where it is due -- at my friend Robyn. Everything she touches looks fabulous, so when she invited us over to do some festive crafting on a rainy Friday afternoon, we jumped at the chance. The kids were thrilled to wear their patriotic attire at the annual pancake breakfast/bike parade on Saturday. Thanks again, Robyn!

underwater

Linus didn't pass all the requirements for his level in swim lessons (did I mention that he sinks to the bottom?) and was disappointed that he didn't get a fancy certificate. Instead, he got this cool underwater photo that his teacher took of him. I love it. Orange on blue may be my favorite color combination.