Lipstick callas

Lipstick callas
Originally uploaded by gianfelo

The last couple years there has been no flower. I was so happy to see our friend is colorful again this year!

In the same pot, after the tulips were done, an iris came up. I don't remember planting any iris though. Our squirrel friends must have given us a present.

Out of sorts...
I've been feeling so off lately...Just seems that there is not enough time in our week to get anything done. Not enough time for work, not enough time for the home, not enough time for play. So when we are at play, instead of enjoying, I'm thinking of how there's no time for it. Ai, yai, yai, yai, yai....

We had Movie night at our house last Thursday and rewatched The God's Must Be Crazy. Jonny thought the funniest part is when the jeep got stuck up the tree and the no brakes hill/gate thing.
I forgot there is quite a bit of violence in the first one, with machine guns and shooting...probably not so good for the boys. Just proves how desensitised I am.

We celebrated our 7th Wedding anniversary on Monday. We had a nice dinner in Ballard and a great bottle of Tuscan wine. We took a little walk in Ballard after dinner, since the wine kicked in. The neighborhood has changed and is still changing. It's the place to be, I guess. So many nice restaurants and bars. So many boutiques. At least they still have the Scandinavian store, but no more bowling alley and no more Denny's. I wonder where the ghost that hung around in Denny's parking lot hangs out now...

Jonny started Tae Kwon Do yesterday. His preschool teacher recommended it, so that he would learn how to follow directions better. At least it will help to expend some of his energy. He's also in swimming lessons 2 days a week and gymnastics once a week. Such a busy boy...which makes us busy too. I think it will be good for him though.

Lots of celebrations coming up in August Birthdays, weddings...We still have to finish our yard work...
Ai, yai, yai, yai, yai....

More from the Wading Pool

hippo Jon.jpg
Originally uploaded by gianfelo

Jon sure emersed himself. I remember doing this at the Greenlake Peanut pool and my knees would get all scraped up.

Jon kept complaining to me that his shorts and underwear were wet and that he didn't have a towel, but he continued "swimming" anyway.

When we got into the car, I put his shirt back on and let him ride in the car seat commando...He was pretty uncomfortable with that, but his shirt was long enough to cover everything up anyway...

It was fun.

Spontaneous trip to the Wading Pool

wading pool.jpg
Originally uploaded by gianfelo

On my day off, I took the boyz to Dahl Field to play basketball and play in the playground. After Jonny had his usual, playground trip to the bathroom, Jacob decided to soak his feet. I ended up removing his clothes and letting him go in his pull ups. Pretty soon Jon joined him and I just encouraged him to go on in.

We were not prepared, so no towel nor extra clothes. After awhile Jacob's pull up got pretty full and heavy. It was a very funny sight....
A nice prepared mother gave us a spare pair of swim diapers. Thank you nice prepared mom!

On the way to Camping

Mt rainier
Originally uploaded by gianfelo

Mt. Rainier was out in all it's glory last Friday, while we were driving to the coast.
We had a great time with the college crew and all the kids.
We all kinda got eaten by mosquitos, but the weather, the food and the company were great.

Busy 4th of July weekend

We went to Bainbridge Island on 4th of July, for our annual gathering and parade.
They have a small town parade, which is so much fun. The kids collected lots of candy. We got more candy than on Halloween!
I gave Jon and Jacob some party poppers and snap it's and they were used up before night came.
While we waited in line for the ferry, we killed time by taking camera phone pictures.


4th of July funny feet.

We caught the fireworks @ GasWorks up at Wallingford park, which is a pretty good viewing site w/o all the crowds. Lola & Popoe even walked around the lake over to the park to watch with us. I was happy, that they finally joined us, after about 3 years of invites and fireworks on TV. Jonny did a really RAD rave dance with his glow sticks for us, after the fireworks finished. I can't decide which was my favorite of the 2 shows we watched.

On Saturday, we did little gym as usual, then headed out to a birthday party for a 3 year old freind. She had a Candy/Princess theme. I'm so not schooled in shopping for little girl toys. I didn't like anything @ Target toy aisles. They have a whole aisle dedicated to BRATS. Yuck. So we made a special stop @ Top Ten Toys. I found some very cute things, while Philip and the boyz explored. Philip said that we're never shopping @ Target for toys again...
Anyway, the birthday party was fun, but they had rented a party bouncer and after 1/2 hour of play it poured down rain for the rest of the day. It was sad. Instead the kids stayed in doors and ate candy and bounced on the walls.

Sunday!
EJ and Nicky, some crazy, powerful 15 year olds came up from Spanaway to be our backyard jungle work crew. Philip, and the big boys did an awesome job clearing and bagging. I was working on breaking down the wood pile, that never seemed to get smaller because they kept adding to it.
Here is the progress that we made. I'm so pleased.


Backyard jungle cleared


19 yard waste containers total...and a bunch of compose piles all around the yard...and a huge pile of wood that still needs to be broken down...I need to get over my fear of the chain saw...


Monster bush tamed.
This bush used to take up 1/4 of the yard...Dioji used to hide inside there, trying to catch squirrels (or whatever lived in there...rats? birds?)
I went at it with the loppers, a saw and pruning clippers. The goal was to hack at it until it was more manageable, but not distroy it. (it has some pretty red flowers and is really a nice plant) You can see the carnage all around. At least I can get in there at the base and thin it out now.

Yay for Nicky and EJ!!! We couldn't have done it without them. They went inside to get cleaned up before returning home and by the time I came in all 3(including Philip) were asleep in the living room. We sure worked them to the bone...

Next up...
Rototiller, new seed.
Junk, Rotten Deck, hot Tub removal
Wall in front
New Flower beds.
Playstructure!!!

August, here we come.

Jacob is a skater!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

I spoke too soon!

Last night was like a war in the sky! Lightening, Lightening, Lightening. and some thunder that woke us in the wee hours. I asked Philip if it was an explosion.
The boyz are now sleeping this way that way on our bed. Maybe the activities in the sky, caused a restless night.
We spent yesterday evening visiting with Uncle John (Happy Birthday!), Auntie Eve, and Junne. The boyz were gonna go spend the night with them till the 4th, but I realized there is swimming lessons tonight.

Summer reading
We've started reading chapter books to Jon(& Jakey, he falls asleep sometimes). We just finished Flat Stanely, which Jon really enjoyed. We're now on the 5th chapter of Mouse and the Motorcycle.
I'm thinking Charlotte's web, does anyone have any suggestions for good read aloud books, 5 YO age appropriate?

Summer has arrived

Lots of changes lately...
Our best friends moved across country and we miss them so much. They arrived safely and are just trying to settle in. (Jacob & Jon are looking for you Dani!)
We just got some news that the Fresno rugrats are also relocating. We'll see how we deal... We still have telephone, email, blog you know, but still emotional.
It is hot here now, but no complaining from me. The sun has done wonders for my mood, the rain and clouds were giving me the blues...
I'm proud of my husband and I! We've been working in the yard in the evenings this week. We're finally taming the jungle! We have some helpers coming this weekend, so the boyz will get their playground sooner than later.
July has filled up. We have family gatherings, birthday parties, and even a camping trip planned.
The summer is gonna be full of fun and pretty busy...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry