I'm back!

Well, hello everyone. Hope you all had a wonderful 4th. The Mr. had to work so it just was not the same without him here. The kids and I hung out in the front yard and watched all the neighbors fireworks. Hubby was supposed to work on the 3rd as well. But he made arrangements to be home that day so that I could extend my trip to San Diego to see my ill grandma an extra day. So we were able to head over to view the firework show at the high school all together, and with Grandpa J in tow, once I got home.

I have been M.I.A. from the world of blogging for a while. So I have an entire month worth of happenings to give you the scoop on. The thought is just too overwhelming! So I'll give you what I can until my littlest man wakes from his morning snooze.















A started preschool!! (sniff, sniff!) She is blossoming into such a sweet little girl. She was sooo excited on her first day. We decided to start her in the summer session to give her a chance to get use to the routine with less kids and less academics. That way when the fall session starts she's familiar with the school, teachers, kids, routine, blah, blah, blah.

I was looking forward to all the time I was going to have one less kid to do "stuff". I swear the clock goes into fast mode because 8am-2pm on MWF is over before I know it! And my littlest man usually decides he does not need to take his usual two hour morning snooze. What's a mom to do? Just roll with it and thank God for my Baby Bjorn, I guess.

And then there's Lil' J. The kid is hilarious! And he can't sit still for nothin'! He always looks like he's bouncing to a beat whether he's sitting or being held. I remember the precious times that I use to spend snuggling and rocking Aubrey. Well, I won't have any memories like those with this kid! He wants none of it! He is able to roll and scoot his way around. He loooves his jumper. And he LOVES to keep an eye on his big sister. Nothing is better to him that a little attention from her.

He looks like a mini Mr.! Including the hair that stands straight up. Mr.'s does because he likes to buzz his head (makes for a better hair do when he has to go on a call in the middle of the night at work). Lil' J's does because, well, the 2 inches of hair he has just will not lay down for anything. But I just love it! And everyone comments about it when we are out. Right after they comment about the big beautiful eyes he and his sister have. Where did those come from?? Lucky! (And don't scroll back up to Aubrey's pic to look because she is squinting. I know you were going to!)

We have been keeping ourselves busy with preschool, zoo trips, Playland/Storyland. And then there is all the painting that I keep starting. Or is it trying to finish? I almost have phase 1 of our master bath finished. I only started it like 7 months ago! I had no idea how much free time I had before kids to do whatever whenever I wanted.

As I mentioned before, I took a trip down to San Diego to visit my Grandma who is very ill. My sister, lil' J and I headed down there while A and Mr. stayed home. Grandma is 95! She has very advanced stages of uterine cancer that has spread into many other parts of her body. She is a pillar of strength I tell ya! But in the last several weeks she has started to take a turn for the worst. I did get to spend some time talking to her and letting her know I love her. It was so sweet to be able to let her meet Jake. It was very powerful to think that one life was coming to an end and another was just beginning. My sister and I spruced up her yard and patio area with some beautiful plants and pots while we were there. She use to love doing that and took a lot of pride in it. She was so happy to hear us tell her about all that we had done. She wanted to get out and see it but she is just too weak these days.

Here she is sometime in the 1930's. (I know, A picture of a picture is pretty cheesy.) But isn't she gorgeous??




















Here's a little glimpse of a small part of the patio we worked our magic on. No before pic, sorry.















And then there is this incredible view from the patio. I could look at this every day, couldn't you? All while enjoying the awesome weather.















Now you know why I was in no hurry to head back home where it was 105 degrees!!

Speaking of gardening, our garden this year is incredible. We have had squash coming out our ears! As well as cucumbers, corn and several types of tomatoes. We got the garden started late this year so we had to forgo some of what we wanted to plant. Next year I hope to have more time to do more with it.