Monday's Conversation

E: Mom, my teacher was talking about getting a dog. I can't remember the name of it, but it works with your eyes. It can see thru them.

Mom: What? I have no idea what it's called.

E:It's the kind that help people you know.

Mom:Oh, do you mean a "Seeing-Eye-Dog"?

E: Yeah, yeah that's what they're called. She's going to get one.

Mom: Oh, how nice. That's the type of dog that they help train to help blind people. Once they are trained she will give it to a blind person who needs it.

E: Mrs. Reed has glasses so she can keep it.

Mom: No, Emmy. She has to be blind.

S: Well then Dad can keep it, 'cause he can't see anything without his glasses.

Mom: No. your Dad can see.

E: No Mom. He's blind without them. I know it.


Well according to the kids we should be getting another dog soon.

What this week looks like.

Faucet leaks
Roof seeps
Doorbell always calling...

Dog barks
Kids shout
Something's always falling...

Burnt trout
Plumber's out
Cat's shredded the awning...

Phone rings
Kettle sings
Is the freezer thawing?...

Floors weak
Doors antique
Tomorrow's chaos budding...

Oh please
God bless this home
as much as possible!!!

Stuart Rudy

(I pulled this off the back of a plaque I got for the front entry. It seemed very fitting for today.)

Is he too cute, or what?

Look at those eyes. I am so in love with this guy. He wanted me to take his picture with his new boxing gloves he found at the "Barrels" yesterday. I guess he'll have to grow some more to fit into those gloves. They're about the size of his head right now. He says he wants to be a boxer for Halloween. It will change tomorrow I'm sure.

Jessie's New Doo

Oh the joy of teasing the poor dog.

The girls wanted jessie to have a new look for Labor Day Weekend. We had a worn out wig from one of the dolls that was just right for the occasion. This brought back memories of me dressing my cats up and strapping them into my buggy stroller. My cat Mandy put up with all my outfits including hats. Of course the girls giggled just as much as I did back then. And I got to giggle again today.

Capitola's 56th Begonia Festival

Yesterday we took an unexpected trip to the beach to see the Iven family. J has wanted me to come to this event for years. I now know why it is so special to her. The weekend event includes a sandcastle contest, the famous begonia float parade, and movies on the beach. We amazingly left the house by 8:30 am with all the kids and stuff. A quick adventure to the "Barrels" (that will take a whole blog entry itself to describe) The husband went along with that adventure too. We arrived at the beach house and took a walk along the river to see boxes and boxes and boxes of begonias ready to be tied to their floats. They were so beautiful. I never knew begonia blossoms to be so big. It seemed like spring in Capitola. Every house had either two-colored Morning Glories, begonias, or nasturtiums growing crazy. The weather is perfect for these cool weather beauties. When we got to the beach the sandcastle or sculptures were in full swing. The kids loved seeing all the different things. Everything from Spongbob to goddess' with an occasional sea monster. When the sun went down the movie screen went up. They were playing Hook right on the beach. Lots of locals got to enjoy the cool breeze and free popcorn as we bundled up and ate pizza-by-the-slice. I wasn't prepared and my feet were frozen. The drive home rocked us all to sleep (except S, he had to drive) It was a long day at the beach. Next year we're staying for the parade.

Momma's doing the Happy Dance!

I have a new kindergartener. My little man. I sure am going to miss those little lunches at the bagel shop. It was just me and him. We were a team that tackled shopping, the post office, and car washes. I will miss those days. But I'm on to a new adventure of my own. I have to really pay attention when I'm shopping not to talk to myself. I'm so used to asking their opinion about things in the shopping cart as we strolled down the isles. Now I just look like a crazy person with an imaginary friend. I now have quality time with the dog. But after the "brownie episode" and destroying my sunglasses she's kinda of been in a doggy time-out. I guess she misses the kids too.

The girls were excited about today too. Towards the end of summer they began to fight a bit. Arguing over stupid things. They needed the routine again, although 7:40am comes really early. It's weird having a 6th grader, a kinder and one in between. Each grade demands something different from each student and each parent. I made a promise to keep up on photos and yearbook. Only a few days into school and lots of volunteer requests have began. It's going to be a busy year!

Trying to sum up the last 9 months in one blog!

I know, I know, where have you all been in the past 9 months. Well school started, the holidays came and then before I knew it summer was here again. So bear with me as I zoom thru the last 9 months. School started. M in 5th grade, E in 1st and S in preschool.

Christmas happened and we got to meet a new cousin, that remarkably looked like M as a baby. The new year came upon us and we shipped out! Literally on a cruise ship to a vacation that words cannot describe. I get teary eyed just thinking about how wonderful it felt to spend 7 days with my dh....alone in a tropical environment. We even got to go swimming with the stingrays. They were magical and gentle. I can't wait to take the kids someday. We really want to stay a week on Cayman Island. We got to enjoy a whole day at their spa with massages. I loved being with my friends too. They made us laugh so many times. I forgot how cool it was to be an adult!Easter bunny came to town and eggs were found at Nana's. E turned 7 and had a kitty bday complete with a litter box cake that grossed out all her friends. The next month the girls and I did a road trip to LA to visit the American Girl Store. It's amazing how much you can spend on a couple doll outits and lunch. I have to admit this once in a lifetime trip was really cute. The dessert as you can see is pretty adorable. .

Jessie dressed up as Yoda to celebrate S -5th birthday. Ok so that's our story. I will post more updates with our summer activities... I hope.