Hammer time

Our little buddy is showing his 'boyness' more every day. I like to call this collection "Me and my Hammer" (when sung it to the tune of "Me and My Shadow," it gives Mommy a giggle). He goes nowhere without his beloved tool, using it to explore his ever-growing world. It is often accompanied by a whisk, toothbrush holder, spatula or another hammer, but the hammer comes first. Just try to pry it from his hands and you will suffer the consquences of one angry toddler (who as you can see, now sits facing front in his carseat. This new transition yesterday sent Elena and him over the moon). Next week he may love baby dolls, but for now, it seems he's all boy.

Drama Mama

Elena is full of it. Drama, that is. The girl has a flair for the dramatic from head to toe, seven days per week, morning to night. Pictured here is her outfit for last week's youth theatre production of "Cinderella' in which you could catch glimpses of Elena so caught up in the show, that she'd copy the character movements without thinking about it. Needless to say, the kid is getting enrolled for this as soon as she turns the required age of six. She is full of emotion that leads to tears in everything... especially in movies with an ounce of an inkling of a small bit that could be considered a little teeny, eeny bit sad. She is Lala and she is joy. But I won't be surprised if she cries when she reads this 15 years from now.

Tickle me two

If he were candy, I'd eat him.

That boy of ours is simply delicious. I would take small nibbles of him, should it be an option. I walk into his room at night and take deep breaths, praying his scent will last forever, waiting to hear his little content breaths and sucks of the pacifier. I get mushy with each open-mouthed kiss (despite the marked smell of what we can only call fish breath) and with every new task he learns, I overflow with pride and amazement. His most recent obsession with brushing hair is so cute and as far as we're concerned, very advanced... as is his desire to reach up and try to open doors (another inch on his height and we're doomed). He's walking all over the place and can even turn without falling sometimes. He's a joy. He's light. He's becoming a person overnight and I honestly wonder... how did we all ever live without him?

Bosom Buddies

Michael (AKA 'Buckles' {these days}, courtesy of little Wyatt who couldn't say his name for awhile) and Lala are certainly siblings, but more importantly, they are the best of friends. I think Michael is getting to be so much fun for Elena and though they find themselves arguing over toys a bit, they really play very well together. I'm not delusional - I gather it won't last forever - but it's very cute to watch in the interim. Elena is so kind to him with her gentle, 'no-no' and 'nice-nice.' She genuinely tries to teach him things and Michael is all eyes for her. He finds himself in hysterical laughter watching her run and play. It's very sweet watching their relationship - the pride just washes over me. I guess I never really thought much about how their relationship would develop and watching it happen is nothing short of spectacular.

33 going on...

Ryan's birthday fell on a Friday this week, so we were able to hit the town at night, but it left him working that day, of course. Elena, Michael and I treated him to breakfast in bed and a new air compressor (very exciting!). Then he and I went to Morton's for an extravagant dinner in the evening. Though it wasn't his 30th by any stretch, we had a nice time and I think he celebrated it just the way he wanted.

The choc hits the fan

Elena is newly coiffed again with a shorter haircut than ever before and a proud grin to match. Michael got his locks trimmed too, but the spoonful of chocolate lava cake (yes, this is just a spoonful) was much higher on his priority list. Our busy weekend is now over with one Mommy's best friends, Jaime's, baby shower, topping the list of excitement. We've planned it for months and today's success made everyone, namely Jaime, very happy. Ryan and the kids stayed home for that one, but we reconvened as a family in the neighbor's pool this afternoon. Taking care of her cat certainly has its rewards and Elena is now proving herself an accomplished (kind of) swimmer again this season.

Michael's feeling much better and is back to his jovial old self. He's even spent the last hour chasing Elena from the family room to living room, laughing and giving himself the hiccups. Elena's simply thrilled with her extraordinary ability to elicit that type of belly laugh from her young admirer. Another weekend is almost just a memory. I think we'll all sleep well tonight....

Oh and because I just want this documented somewhere so I never forget... I officially stopped nursing Michael today. We held on for so long, because neither of us were ready, but today we are. I think. It's been tough to let it go, but it's time I think. My sweet boy, I loved that time... I loved it with your sister too. I guess that stage of our lives are over (snif).

Holy Cutie

Michael's not feeling well, so he borrowed Elena's Bible to ask for our Lord's help.

A match

Independence Day

So today isn't the actual 4th of July, but in a tribute to the weekend as a whole, the neighborhood was out in full force, celebrating as only our neighbors do. The annual bike parade was actually our first because we just moved it to the 3rd (our usual routine of going to the Davis bike races will commence tomorrow) instead of having it collide with other plans on the 4th. Elena was thrilled to decorate her bicycle and bike trailer, but less thrilled to ride in such hoopla and chaos. She left the bike behind a couple minutes into the parade and sported her 'Independence Walk' through the neighborhood to wave to the passersbys and sideline cheering crowd. Michael was uncomfortable at best in the trailer and was very eager to get out on the grass and eat, well, whatever we gave him.


Elena donned a very special shirt made by my aunt Tricia... She will don it again tomorrow in matching style with Gramma Frankie. And tonight is the River Cats game with the Loehrs and Vacheron families where we hope to last until fireworks (we'll see). We hope so, because following the races tomorrow, we'd simply like to hole up and veg out.


The weekend is certainly one for tradition and memories and one that makes us grateful to live where we do. In this neigborhood, in this state, in this country. Happy Birthday, America.