September 11: Just stories

Last night for family night we collected cans for the food drive at Montessori House. Here is Warren’s original door approach: “Can we have some cans because people are flying planes into people.” Yeah, we worked on that a bit before we went out. He did a good job, telling people his school and that they were having a canned food drive and would they like to give some cans?

Anyone who has been around Warren lately knows that he is pretty interested in tornadoes. So yesterday, Lindy had him over to watch a National Geographic special on tornadoes that she had taped for him. He didn’t say much about it yesterday, but today, he was telling me all sorts of tidbits from the movie, like, (in a super-dramatic voice) “Mom, an F-5 tornado is the worst kind of tornado there is,” and also all about the girl who hurt her leg being picked up by the tornado. And, “Mom, the storm-chasers who follow tornadoes get as close as they dare and then make a short video so they can get away safe.” And, while holding up a block with the number ‘5’ written on it, “This is the number of the strongest tornado. It can come and get you even if you are hiding in a basement. There’s nothing you can do, but pray.” We’re not sure if that is his unique thought or a quote from the movie, but either way, it’s pretty hilarious.

Abigail is really getting into the whole doll phase. She now changes diapers for her doll, puts on diaper cream, puts it to bed, brushes it’s teeth, tells me when Dolly (pronounced Dough-lee) is hungry and then proceeds to breastfeed her. It is so funny! It is also insightful, since Dolly’s feelings, moods and needs usually mirror Abigail’s.

August 4: Grandma Lindy's Birthday Dance

Warren says: "I love my family." I echo that sentiment. It was so f un to get all dressed up 50's style--or what we thought was 50's style--and party with family. It truly is bliss when your family and friends are no longer different groups of people.

Abigail says, "Mom and Avery." Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Avery was really diggin' that pretzel.

Warren says, "I;m running those [Sugar Daddy suckers] around to people." At the party we had 17 little cases of Sugar Daddy's and warren took it upon himself to deliver them to people all throughout the night.

Abigail says, "I love Abigail because I'm funny." Abigail is a crack-up and fills a room with her delight in the small things.

July Random Days

Some friends that moved gave us their playhouse this summer. Woo-hoo! Now we have the ultimate backyard for the pre-school set. But, anyway, it took some moving and assembly to get it over our fence and set it up in our backyard, and the day was stiflingly hot and humid. Andy was sweating buckets! Abigail looked at him, pointed to the beads of sweat dripping down his forehead and face and said, "Daddy, you raining." Warren said, "Dad, you must be really hot because water is coming out of your head." Here they all are, "napping" in the play house.

This picture does not do the storm justice. It was July 30th, I think, and we were irrigating and a HUGE rainstorm swept into Mesa. Our entire lot was totally flooded, up to 8 inches in some places. The funny thing was that I had just taken all the kids to the grocery store to get stuff for my mother-in-law's b-day dinner. I had gotten Abigail and Avery out of the car and onto the curb as it rained and had gone back to retrieve Warren when the heavens let loose and soaked me and Warren. The girls were getting saoked, even under the plaza's awning; luckily our plight was viewed by several nice beauticians in their shop and they ran out to rescue my kids and then got us towels for us to dry off with, and let us wait out the 15 minutes of downpour in their store. Nice people make me happy.

One day water spilled on the floor and Warren decided it looked like a map of the United States. He really likes maps; in fact, we're re-doing his room and it will include a huge wall mural world map on one wall--a la the Boyle's dining room, for those of you who have been there. I always liked that.

When I put on makeup, I always get some harmless blush color out for Abigail and a brush and let her put on makeup with me. Well, I wasn't paying that great of attention one day, and she put her brush in lipstick and did up her face. I told her to go look in a mirror since she hadn't seen herself yet, and she said, "Mommy, I'm a mess!" But a happy mess...

4th of July

This picture embodies Independence Day for me. We decorated bikes to ride up and down our street in the shade of the American flags that lined it. We went to a Cub Scout pancake breakfast that morning where I sang, "God Bless America." We spent the afternoon and evening with family, swimming, grilling, playing slip-and-slide/water softball and watching the CountryClub fireworks from lawn chairs in the backyard. It was great.

Avery lovin' the pool.

June 15-16: YUMA!

On our annual pilgrimage to San Diego, we stopped off for a day and a night in Yuma, AZ to visit my Aunt Johnell's family. It was so much fun! Besides eating super yummy food--I'm still thinking about the cornbread--we had a firepit and roasted marshmallows to make s'mores. Afterwards, the kids all tried to sleep in the backyard in a tent, but Warren and Kate both kept coming in for things--drinks, flashlights, pillows. Finally, they decided they were better off inside. But they sure enjoyed the tent the next morning! Here, they are trying to get out the dog door of the tent.
Left to right: Warren, Emma, Maylin--holding Amy, Johnathan, Abigail, Kate and Julie. If the child in the picture isn't my kid, it's my cousin! We had a such a fun time in Yuma! Thanks for sharing your food, your home, your hearts, your yard and your Wii!