Lake Shmake

I wish we could hang out at the lake every day. There's something about being by the water that just makes you feel relaxed. Amazingly, even when you have to constantly watch your children (to prevent drownings, kidnappings, taking toys from children we don't know, squirting strangers with water squirters, the taking of younger siblings into much too deep water or making a break for the playground).
Maybe the relaxation comes from watching the kids have such a nice time...or from knowing that everyone did their school work and practiced their violins in order to go to the lake.
No, I think the relaxation came from the reassurance the experience provided me with that, although I'm definitely not a perfect parent, I'm not totally devoid of parenting skillz.
Unlike half of the people I was sitting next to, I didn't leave my 3-year-old in the care of total (smoking, highly pierced) strangers, while I went off to do who-knows-what. I didn't have my crying baby "sunbathing" in a two-piece. (Those weird new-borns. They just don't know how cool their mom is.) I didn't sit on the beach, yelling at my kids, instead of picking my lazy butt up and going to TALK to them when they were misbehaving.
I even brought healthy snacks! (I know, brag, brag, brag.) I did have one crappy parenting moment at the lake. I forgot to smear Jonny's back with sunscreen (his front was fine), and he has a sad, sad burn. Poor little guy.

Cozy Toezy

Cozette's toes are one of the first things we noticed about her. Since day one she has loved stretching them out and curling them up. Aren't they sweet? I think she is going to grow up to have "finger-toes" like Annika. You know...toes that are useful for picking things up..and probably also writing or feeding yourself with a fork (I think chop sticks would be tricky), with a little practice. Do you hear a bit of envy in my voice?

Wow. Those pants I bought yesterday fit even better when I'm not trying them on after a giant over-eating fest.
Today we're headed back toward normalcy. School. Violin. Cleaning. It may not sound good, but it sure feels good!
The only big difference is that Rachel has renewed my enthusiasm for gardening. I'm all excited to go out in the back yard and finish what she started yesterday! I've dreamed about that flagstone path for ages, and last year I actually bought the flagstone. Never installed it. My excuse had something to do with being pregnant and not feeling well...whine, whine, whine.

Thanks!

Thanks for coming and visiting me! James, Beth, Rachel, Allicia and all associated children drove over for a BBQ today. I love it when relatives from across the sound come to visit. It makes me feel like they live around the block. ...and they came bearing gifts of plants and food. :)
We ladies (and babies) made a trip to Goodwill. Doesn't that sound like a holiday sort of thing to do? They were having a Memorial Day sale. Green tags for 99 cents and 40% off two other colors.
As I was shopping, I couldn't help noticing that every piece of children's clothing I pulled off of the shelf was from the Gap or Old Navy. Have those stores brain-washed me or something? Now I'm only attracted to their clothing - even at thrift stores? They must have used their evil Jedi mind tricks on me. Darth Gap?

together again!

Well, we aren't ALL together again (my loving hubby is on vacation), but at least I have all of my chicks tucked under my wings again. The girls are back from camping. They returned full of stories about their many camping adventures. They saw a bear (that tried to get hit by their car), went canoing "at least thirty times!", learned a billion uses for their handkerchiefs, got a survival kit (complete with matches), and even brought home cookies to share with their little brother.

So, why did I post a picture of our absentee family member instead of all of the wonderful camping photos? Tragically, the camera was accidentally dropped into the lake - and not in a spot where it could be retrieved. Bummer. Maybe Sarah has some good ones?

In Garage Sale News: I go Sofia a wicker shelf to display part of her pokemon collection on AND a really nice double jogging stroller for $20. Lucky ducky!

...so many chairs

Oh sweet, sweet garage sales. What would we do without you? Buy stuff at real stores? That's no fun.

Mom and I had a great time scouring the neighborhood for garage sales last week, and at the very last one we went to we hit paydirt! Furniture! She bought a beautiful dresser/desk - that I have dibs on, should she ever want to part with it. I bought a rocking chair, with every intention of painting it a lovely cherry red. (Surprise!)

Well, once I got it home (Mom's home, not mine), and washed it off, I realized that I like it just the way it is. It's too nice to paint. Solid maple. And once you paint, there's no going back! (I guess you can remove paint, but it's not as fun.)

My sister Becky could see how disappointed I was and let me paint her little rocking chair as a consolation. Isn't it cute pink?! Beth and I have plans for hers next. Maybe tomorrow I'll find something I can paint for myself...in good conscience.

I have to brag...

My forays into the world of baking don't always yield tasy results, so when they do, I think I'm entitled to brag about it. Yesterday I spent my "baby nap time" making a couple of strawberry-rhubarb pies, and they were de-lish! When Anthony was eating his third piece, he said, "If you use your tongue to press it against the roof of your mouth, it just melts." Another satisfied customer.

There's one pie left, so if you get to Grandma and Grandpa's fast, you just might get a piece!