Fathers' Day at The Pool

We headed to the pool for swimming and dinner. After only a few visits to the pool, the boys are getting very comfortable in the water. They can stay in there until their lips turn blue.

The place was busy and Jessica visited with one of her friends from middle school. They run in to one another around town and their children know one another. T played with Ryder and was impressed to find they both wear teething beads, although Ryder has an anklet and T wears his around his neck. E and Lily spent their time climbing the tree. Jessica? Well she mostly enjoyed a Mai Tai while the Fathers took the boys in the water.

I got to hold V, she was particularly cute in her swimsuit.

Let The 2013 Wedding Season Begin!

Our sweetest and most favorite niece is getting married!!! To a fabulous guy!!! We love them both and are so excited to attend the wedding next month. They invited us to their family "couples" shower and we had a blast. We are so excited for the the couple and everyone LOVES them both. We had so much fun meeting our new family and catching up with the family members that we haven't seen in a very long time.

We are so happy for Michelle & Scott

My Oldest Grandson is a Genius

My oldest grandson is on the iPad, working on an app with shapes, letters, numbers and colors (I know it is late, don't judge us) and he's getting them all correct!  Except for when his Grandpa helps him. Grandpa can't hear and he's color blind. If Grandpa were a horse, well.......

It's just so funny to watch because a few months ago he didn't know any of this and now he's getting them all correct. I should probably give a shout out to his Mama.

And it is so cute when he earns a sticker.....he picked the motorcycle and told Grandpa he was picking that one for him. Can you get any cuter? I don't think so!!!!!

New Style of Baby Blankets

I've been making hand-tied baby blankets to give away at baby showers for years. You may remember my uber long post describing this in detail. Well, I have learned a whole new style and I'm LOVING it.

While at the baby shower for J, one of the ladies made a blanket and my friend, Teresa (remember her? she's the wine rock star that knows all things crafty too...oh, and she can cook too...that lucky Peter) says, "oh, I forgot about that style of blanket". Of course, Teresa is a magician with fabric and sewing machine. And all I had to do was ask, and she said "sure, I'll teach you how to make one". 

I mentioned the upcoming lesson to Donna (she's my friend that got me started with the hand-tied baby blankets) and she was in too!  We went to Teresa's for a lesson (which is really funny because I used fabric that Teresa had given me) and we each had a blanket in a couple of hours. I was spoiled when I used one of her many fine sewing machines...my machine is like a Ford Fusion and Teresa's is a Lamborghini.....I am NOT buying a new machine.

Today was my first attempt at making one on my own. I did make two quick calls to Donna for encouragement and questions....there is SO MUCH MATH in sewing these.  I did make a silly mistake on my first piece of fabric, had to run to JoAnn's for thread, and still it turned out pretty darn cute. I'm all ready for the baby shower on Thursday.

Then, because I was having such a good time, wanted to prove that I could make one without making yet another silly mistake, plus I really LOVED the fabric, (and the weather is too awful to go outside) I made another one. It was so much quicker the second time around.

This one turned out so perfect and I LOVE the fabric. Can you see how both prints have itty bitty hearts? ADORABLE. I just might have to keep this one for Vesper because I don't think I can part with  it!!!

Maui Time

I wish I had a fabulously entertaining post about our recent visit to Maui.....alas, I do not.....because we do what we do while visiting Maui...that would be NOTHING!!!!  Really....nothing.....this is a vacation and not an adventure. We go for a week of detox....nothing....only relaxing. We do not turn the TV on....barely check our messages.....just lay around, quick visit to the fitness center, sit by the pool, and have fine dinners.

I'll see if I can find a few photos.....

Adventures in Hair Cuts for Boys

Let's make this clear, I MUCH prefer that little boys have little boy haircuts. In this family I am in the minority. Our daughter likes that we take E for haircuts, but I must be accompanied by Dave. They're in fear (and not completely unfounded) that E will come home with short hair. The one wish I am granted is that the hair is not in his eyes.

We've tried a few places and nothing really works. We are just not feeling the vibe and the cut isn't that good. Granted, we are limiting the stylist by our demands and we're going to the cheapest places.

We stumbled on a place that was only $10, we all felt comfortable (could be because it's a little family owned shop where there were wee ones and birds), the stylist was friendly, comfortable, quick, and talented. And the best part? I got a text from J that it was the best haircut ever!

We'll be back to the Haircutting Co.

Filoli Gardens with Dave and Friends

Can you believe that Dave consented to a trip to Filoli Gardens? Friends invited us to join them for a look at their annual Mothers' Day floral exhibit. There's a theme, this year it was Storybooks.

This is one of my favorites, based upon the book "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes", which I am not familiar with....but will be very soon because I ordered the book from Amazon while still on the tour. Isn't technology awesome?!

Dave wasn't enamored with the floral arrangements, but he did really enjoy exploring the house and learning about the history.

We all enjoyed walking through the gardens. I just can't imagine how many people were required to plant and maintain the gardens.

Then we went for lunch nearby at the Lobster Shack (Great food, friendly staff, and perfect weather) and took a tour of the local neighborhood where Teresa showed us the home her dad built. Another great adventure with friends.