Last day of preschool!

Today we officially start summer. Anders commemorated the event with a preschool ice cream party and face painting. I have to admit that I am more than a little sad that the year is over but excited for all of the fun that comes with summer. We have lots of activities planned including vacation Bible school, family reunions and lots of pool fun!
When I got to school today Anders had his face painted like a pirate. A little after I arrived he accidentally got bumped and fell down. He roared at the poor little girl who bumped him and then proceeded to have a major meltdown. A lot of the paint came off of his face but I was able to get an "end of the year, next to the cubby" picture despite the scowl.

I thought it would be fun to put the beginning of the year picture next to this one to see how much he's grown.  It helps that he was wearing the same shirt both days!

Just the facts Ma'am.

Here's a list.

1. Anders and I had lower intestinal bug last week. (it lasted a WHOLE week)
2. Now Chris feels lousy.
3. This is the last full week of pre-school.
4. I'm sad about that.
5. I'm looking forward to a family gathering in Flagstaff at the end of July.
6. I hope Flagstaff in July will won't be sweltering.
7. Chris' 20th, yes 20th high school reunion is in August.
8. I hope we can scrape enough mulah together to make it to Cincinnati in August.
9. I'm looking at a never ending pile of laundry.
10. I'm reading a great book called "Parenting with love and logic".
11. It's helping.
12. I need to color my hair.
13. You probably don't care.
14. This list is getting random.

O.k. that will do.

Strawberry Festivities

I'm sorry to say that we didn't get even one little picture of the beautiful strawberries at the Oxnard Strawberry Festival.... But I did get pictures of us on the shuttle that took us there....
....Of Anders looking apprehensive.....
.....Of Chris looking weird.....
.....Of firemen outfits and
carnival rides.....

That will have to do.

The end.

A little greenery

Today I finally got down to business and started my much anticipated garden. We get very little sunlight and so I'm a bit worried about how the plants will do but I didn't want that to stop me from trying! I picked up lemon thyme, green onion, green beans, mint, and strawberries. I had been given two artichoke plants so I added those as well. While walking around the nursery I saw a beautiful iceberg rose plant and picked that up too. It was so much fun getting my hands in the dirt and getting the plants situated. I'm really hoping that they do well and I'll update as the summer goes on.

My favorite part of the experience was talking to two of the workers at the garden center. One of them was a lovely middle eastern man who had a way with words and who loves flowers. He went into great detail about how to transplant the roses and how they are "like a pregnant woman, very delicate." When I transferred them to the pot I felt like I was delivering a baby, thanks to his description.

Luckily the sun is shining on my new "babies" right now and hopefully it will be enough each day to help them thrive. I'd love to have a strawberry or two and pick my own green onions!

Library

I love our library. At first I didn't like it. The decor is beautiful craftsman style but so big and grand that it felt a impersonal. I missed my home town library with all of it's book variety, hominess and cheerful, helpful librarians. I still miss it, but I appreciate the beauty of our new book haunt.

I realize that this is Anders experience and these are the memories that he will have. This is where he'll learn to love books like I do and I'm glad that his experience will include lovely architecture, rose gardens and olive trees in the courtyard. It's a good place to fall in love with reading.

Fun anniversary getaway

Last weekend Chris and I celebrated our four year anniversary by spending two nights at on of our favorite places, The El Morocco Inn in Desert Hot Springs! What a special place to relax and unwind! the pool and spa are mineral water fed and as warm as a cozy blanket. Every morning an amazing breakfast is laid out, french press coffee included. (Yummy!)

In the late afternoon there is a happy hour with traditional rose water hand washing ceremony, "Morocco-tini's" and lively conversation usually led by Bruce the inns owner.

When we arrived on Friday afternoon we realized that we had left all of our luggage back at my parents house in my car! We had about 10 minutes of despair before we decided to enjoy ourselves despite this set back. We made a trip to K-Mart and picked up swim wear. Chris picked up an 8$ shirt and a multi pack of undergarments and we were set! Luckily I had remembered our back pack with sunscreen and other toiletries.

We stayed in our swim suits the majority of the time and I had my one outfit washed once. It all worked out perfectly.

Anders had fun having his own vacation with Grandma and Grandpa and even got to go to the REAL golf course to putt some balls. Grandpa even bought him his own real metal putter! Good memories were made all around.

I just read a great post on http://thatmom.com about how Christians should and can approach artistic endeavors as well as career. Watch the video if this is of interest to you. It's worth it!