The yard

The backyard was overhauled this year. The front got a new look last year and now it was time to tackle the back. Rich always draws it out and tries to explain his vision; I just smile and nod. I don't have a clue. But I fully trust him. It always looks amazing when he is done. We spent all day Saturday working on it. Anja spent the entire day outside with us and had a ball. Today we put the finishing touches on it and I must say it is amazing. I'll post pix tomorrow. Tomorrow night is our first big summer party. Fourty cub scouts and their parents... I must be crazy.

All in a days play in the summer

My Indiana Jones kid...Today was one of those days we packed too much in but enjoyed every minute of it. It started out with a horseback riding trip. We've been planning this for several weeks and both boys were excited. Carter took it one step farther... He decided to ride like he was Indiana Jones. He took his Indi hat and whip and yelled lines from the movie the entire time. Jensen was not impresses and wouldn't get on the horse. Anja loved them until I tried to put her one one.

After that, we headed home for swimming lessons. To pass level three Carter has to jump from the high platform. I didn't even bribe him. When he got to the edge I asked him if it was scary. "Are you kidding mom? Indiana Jones isn't afraid of anything," said my fearless kid. Jensen had to hold his breath underwater for 10 seconds, which he did easily and Anja just waded in the water until she learned to swim underwater. That's right. She kind of tripped and went under today so I picked her up and said it was okay then went back to playing. She started to laugh and did it again. At first I thought she was blowing bubbles, but no, she was stepping off the third step and going under water, kicking then flipping over onto her back to get a breath of air! I'm not kidding! She did it over and over. I have never had a kid like water this much. She is our water bug.

Anja's hair

They say the best parents choose their battles. This is one I am determined to win. Anja finally has enough bang hair to put in an upside down pony with a clip. It's adorable and makes her look so girly! However, she would like it better if I left it in the "pointing strait up like Bam-Bam" pony which I refuse to do. So, every morning we start the battle, and I win. Why is this such a big deal? Who knows-- but it is. What kind of permanent scaring am I causing now??? She'll probably need therapy, or turn into a Tomboy and that would kill me.

Piano Camp

Some kids go to summer camp, some go to Suzuki piano camp. That's what Jensen did our first week of summer vacation. It was an intense week of piano, piano, piano and I was burned out by the end. He was amazing. He rose to the occasion and shocked me. On the last day he played in a huge music hall that seated maybe 300 people and didn't miss a beat. I was nervous; he just shined in their applause. He is an amazing child. Don't ask him to look you in the eye when he talks to you, but ask him to sit and play the piano in front of a hundred strangers and he's happy to do it. I love this kid.

Welcome

If you are here I assume you know who we are. Since we have so many wonderful friends and family all over the country, this is the easiest way to stay in contact. It also gives my idle fingers something to do that doesn't involve cooking or cleaning. Call this our personal journal...