Off to the Sierras

We returned from our mini family vacation to the Sierras. We really enjoyed ourselves once we figured out the area. We didn't exactly rough it, as we stayed at a friend of mine's family vacation home. Tim called this house the museum because it was so nice and we were afraid to touch anything! We definitely had to be extra careful with a 3 and 1 year old! Anyway, we hung out in Angels Camp, explored Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and happened to find this beautiful lake below, known as Lake Alpine. It was very secluded, just a few fishermen out on the lake. It was serene, beautiful, and the lake was pure as could be!We were originally going to go on a hike, but we ended up hanging out at the lake instead. Of course, I didn't bring swimsuits for the kids!! Sophie didn't mind swimming half naked!

Noah checking out the water......he literally ran into the water like he was on Baywatch. Unfortunately, he face planted and I ran in like a crazy woman to save him!! My running shoes and all!

Aaaaahhh, so peaceful.....

If you see the black dot in the water, that would be Sierra. She wasn't even fetching a stick...she was just swimming around and enjoying the refreshing lake!!!

Busy Busy!!

Grammy, Goppie, and Great Grandma left this morning after a fun-filled week with us! Sophie and Noah definitely had their fill of fun while they were out! As usual, the week went by way too fast , but I think we made the most of the time they were here!Grammy and Sophie

Goppie and Sophie

We took a visit out to Tim's course one evening after dinner. Grandma and Goppie checking out the 3rd fairway.

Sophie and Noah fighting over who gets to pretend drive the golf cart!

Sophie made sure everyone had a chance to build castles with her!

Don't try this at home

Sophie trying to do tricks on her 4-wheeler that she has already outgrown. She's the mastermind behind all of this as she has also managed to make Noah push her across the backyard.

I really did it this time....

I think I broke my toe, the pinky one. I'm blogging at 1 am because my toe is being iced at the moment and Tim is too busy sleeping to offer any sympathy. After nursing a sprained pinky toe for the past couple of weeks, I incurred a couple of setbacks. Well, tonight I really think I have broken it....like 99% sure. It's about the size of my big toe right now and my whole foot is throbbing. First, I did my usual check-in on the kids before going to bed. I stubbed my toe on Noah's play tool bench the first time, hobbling back to my bedroom before crying my head off. As soon as I get settled in, I hear Noah crying. After a short while, it doesn't stop so I went in to check on him. The tool bench is in the same place and I literally run into it the exact same way the first time....except ten times harder. I couldn't hold it in....I screamed, included a couple of expletives, and let out a big cry. Tim had to come in and console Noah because I was too busy dying in pain.

This is not how I envisioned the start of my summer vacation.....

Great Grandma

Great Grandma made the trek to California with Grammy and Goppie! We're having a great time together and love having her with us! Here's a pic of Sophie and Great Grandma.

Four generations....here they are!!

It's Fair Time!!

We decided to kick off summer with a trip to the county fair. We had such a great time despite the 100 degree weather!! Grammy, Goppie, and Great Grandma are in town, so we were able to enjoy the fair with them!

Oh yes, the Doodlebops are in town. Sophie and Noah were groovin' and movin' with our favorite Canadian band.

Here's Noah waiting anxiously for the concert to begin!

Goppie joining Sophie on her first of many rides for the evening!

Sophie enjoying the $5 carousel ride!

Daddy gave Noah an ice cream cone to help him cool down a bit. I think most of it made it in his mouth!

Deja Vu

It was too good to be true. Noah hadn't pooped in the bathtub in months and I was confident he had gotten over this phase. Every once in a while I would do my usual sales pitch to Sophie in hopes that she would change her mind and allow her brother to bathe with her again. Every single time she would answer with an adamant "NO" and have this scared look on her face. I dropped it. I let it go. I gave up. And then the day came.....who knows what hit Sophie on the head, but she casually said Noah can join her in the tub because she wanted to share her toys with him and play. What???? Could it be??? I practically tackled Noah, ripped his diaper off, and placed him in the tub. Oh my, it was bliss. The next couple of nights were great. Bathtime was cut in half; my evenings felt so open.....until the third night. Oh yes...Noah, after months of not pooping in the bathtub, did the deed yet again! Sophie remained calmed, quickly exited the tub, and remained in a towel until I was able to clean up the dirty mess.

Needless to say, we quickly reverted to separate baths. It's been two days since the incident and I can barely recall that blissful feeling.....

The Best Graduation Ever

I had the distinct pleasure of being a row monitor at our graduation this year. Typically, I'm smart enough to avoid having to do this, but people were not openly volunteering and I got sucked in simply by walking past the assistant principal's office. So, I stepped up and took one for the team. Again, I am reminded why I do NOT choose this task to supervise. First, we're supposed to do a check of students before they go out to make sure they don't have any hidden beach balls or any other blown up devices, we have to make sure they are actually clothed (usually a problem with the boys), and numerous other checkpoints to make sure the graduation goes somewhat smoothly.......let's just say this year was a winner.....

We had a streaker (oh yes, a streaker), about 20,000 beach balls were immediately blown up and volleyed around for the rest of graduation, which we must confiscate and deflate if we get a hold of any of these....and I must not forget the best blown up device....a blow-up doll. I silently prayed the stupid doll wouldn't come my way because then I'd have to confiscate it, put a hole in it, and hug it to squeeze the air out. It stayed clear of me and another teacher had the pleasure of performing this fun duty! All I could think of was how I would kill Sophie and Noah if they tried to do any of these stunts!!

Thank goodness it's all over and I'm a couple of days away from my own summer vacation!!!

Sweet Noah

This is such a cute picture, I had to post. My parents came out to visit for the weekend and Sophie and Noah had a blast, as usual. Papa was starting to come down with a cold, so he ended up enjoying our couch most of the weekend! It was nice because Mama had some extra play time with the kiddies.

Congratulations Sophie!

Sophie had her promotion ceremony on Tuesday. She did a great job, even though she was a little sad it was the last day of school. I'm so glad we found the right school for Sophie; she absolutely loves her teachers and all of her classmates. We look forward to some playdates over the summer!Sophie's teacher, Mrs. Tetzloff. We truly wouldn't have made it this year without her!!

This is the only picture that half-way turned out in the church. I'm getting used to my newest camera (I only have four) and I haven't navigated the menu enough to figure it all out. Unfortunately, the one picture I get in the church is hiding Sophie. She's leaning back next to the little girl in the yellow dress.

The kids enjoyed the little party for them afterwards! Lots of goodies to eat up!

Craigslist Ad

For Sale: Warm and loving house cat
Sex/Breed: Female Black lab

Sometimes we can't figure Sierra out. Maybe she gets too much outside time when she's at work. I guess chasing rabbits and squirrels all day on the golf course is enough for her because when she's home, she wants nothing to do with the outdoors. I remember when Tim and I first bought our home and we'd look in the backyard and say, "Wow, look at all this room for Sierra to run around!" We'd smile and imagine our little Sierra running around, taking naps on the patio, chasing Sophie around.....ummm, no.

She is our little house cat that prefers to cuddle up against the couch and sleep all afternoon. All four of us will be outside and Sierra's holding the fort inside. Today, for instance, we were outside pretty much the whole day and Sierra made an appearance to check things out briefly, looked uninterested and returned to her resting place inside. Maybe I'm just jealous....

What about this color?

Tim and I (actually, Tim probably doesn't want to be associated with this) are nearing our third color for the kitchen. The first was plain awful, the second wasn't what I thought given the light I have in the kitchen, and the third.....well, we'll have to wait and see. We are texturing our kitchen walls, which of course gives us reason to change the color yet again. So tomorrow, the kitchen will be covered in tape and plastic so we can figure out if "shale" or "tropical nut" will give me any inspiration to actually cook. Chances are slim to none, but I'll suck it up and cook anyway. I think it pains my husband that I will never actually experience pure "joy" from cooking, but like every other chore, I find the strength to get the job done!

If I had the courage, I'd do before and after pictures, but I don't. So, you'll have to come by the house to see the changes!

Promotion

Sophie has her promotion next Tuesday from her pre-school class. Of course, I will be there and probably cry and be so proud of my little girl. And I'm not trying to sound negative, but do they graduate from every grade now? Has there always been a ceremony for every school year? Am I the only ruthless mom that thinks it's a bit much to have a promotion ceremony every year? Sophie even had a promotion rehearsal today! So, it seems apparent that kids graduate from pre-school, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, etc. If I recall correctly, and maybe my memory is selective, but I swear my first graduation was high school.

What happened to relay races on the last day of school, complete with participant ribbons? Ice cream parties anyone? I'm all about celebrating, a little more low key is my style, but I guess this is how it's done nowadays. I can't decide if I need to get with the times or start a movement against it. What I do know for now is we will be there on Tuesday as proud as can be....and hopefully we can keep it low key afterward and celebrate with a yummy ice cream cone!!

Aunt Cricket and Uncle George Visit!!

Aunt Cricket and Uncle George came to visit us while they are out on vacation in California. It was so nice to spend time with them and catch up! Unfortunately, Sophie and Noah were their usual clingy selves at first. Soon after, Sophie was excited to show Aunt Cricket her bedroom, pretty house and all of her toys! Noah was fine entertaining in his own special way....as long as he wasn't being held!It didn't take long for Sophie and Aunt Cricket to hit it off!

Here's Noah, who only seemed to be comfortable when Daddy was holding him!

Sierra wanted to make sure to be a part of the picture!