A Great Saturday!

This morning began with my daughter greeting me in bed to be nursed. Soon this special time will be ending so I enjoy ever moment we have together. A minute later, Josh woke up at 7:00 am; a little earlier than usual but not a problem. We all went downstairs to join Daddy for breakfast and coffee before heading off for a softball game.

We took care of the essentials at home; changing diapers, getting dressed, packing our bags and drove off to the ballgame. It was very nice outside since it was so early in the morning. Rachel had lots of fun walking along the fence and practicing her new walking skills from one spot to another. Josh had a fun time seeing Daddy out on the field. I think he's starting to understand softball a little bit. We still need to go to some more games and have Daddy narrate the game instead of me. That would help ; )

Next, Rachel and Daddy went home so the little girl could ge ta morning nap in. Josh and I headed to the Farmer's Market. At the market we bought all sorts of produce: cherry tomatoes, valencia tomatoes (these were yellow), corn, cucumbers, peas, fancy green beans that I don't know how to spell, chard, apples, and some garlic. When paying for one of these items I gave one of the farmers $2 and we got a half dollar back. I decided that this would be Josh's to keep hoping he wouldn't loose it.

Next we stopped by some garage sales on our way home. At our first stop we got a new backpack for Josh for $5. It's from Rei and doesn't look like it's been used at all! Our next stop had lots of kids books and I found two Elmo books (this is one of Josh's new loves). I found about 5 books that I thought looked good and decided to let Josh buy them also thinking we might get a better deal ; ) Josh was a great shopper and paid for his 1st purchase of books all by himself not to mention he got a great deal on them. 5 books for a half a dollar when they were asking 25 cents each. I was so proud of him and it was a great lesson on how much you can get a 50 cents or a half a dollar. I look forward to having more shopping trips like this with him in the future. Gotta teach him how to get a good deal!



Did I mention that Josh loves to help me bake too? I hope to catch up on the past month sometime soon. We've got lots of pictures from several fun trips this summer.

Saving a bird

Last Monday when my mom was in town we got back from walking the dog and saw a baby bird crossing the road. We weren't sure what to do with it other than hover over it and say, "Awe." When the neighborhood cats starting coming closer however we decided that we needed to do something. We got a cardboard box and placed the bird in there for protection and put it on our back deck where the cats could not get it. We tried giving it some food and water but didn't have much luck. Later that evening my mom noticed some adult robins in the trees outside the deck looking on so were hopeful that one of these was the mommy bird.

The next morning the bird was still there. I called a wildlife rescue person and they recommended that we either call another person who might be able to come and get the bird and put it into captivity or we could try to leave the bird out and hope that it will be ok. I was still worried about all the cats we have in the neighborhood so we left the bird in the open box still, ran our errands, and came home. When we got back. It was gone! I was very excited and happy because I think it was rescued. I'll never know but want to think it was a happier ending than what would have happened if I left it with the cats. Can you tell that they loved watching the bird. I even let Josh try to feed it. Bye bye birdie!

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Where did you come from, baby dear?

Out of the everywhere into here.

Where did you get your eyes so blue?

Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?

Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?

I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?

A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?

I saw something better than anyone knows.

Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?

Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get this pearly ear?

God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and hands?

Love made itself into hooks and bands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?

From the same box as the cherubs' wings.

How did they all just come to be you?

God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?

God thought about you, and so I am here.

~George MacDonald

Rachel's Birthday!

It is hard to believe that she's been with us for a year now. It really seems longer. I can barely remember life before her when it was just Josh. I guess that's because Josh was only with us for a few months until we knew that Rachel was coming. Life before Josh was different, but the addition of another child doesn't change life that much. It just adds to our everyday joys.

Rachel has been such a wonderful little girl. As I've said in the past on this blog, I love how she cuddles up with a blanket and will instantly suck her thumb. I love how she squishes up her face and smiles; a classic Rachel face different from Josh. I love how she loves others especially her Daddy and brother. We love you Rachel!

Rachel trying her 1st ever chocolate chip cupcake
when her Nanna and Gee were in town.

It was gone in no time and she was begging for more!

On her actual birthday, we headed to the park.

Rachel in her birthday dress.

She was still a little sleepy from just waking up from her morning nap.

But she soon woke up!
Whee! I love the swings!

At the playground in a dress?

Enjoying cupcakes! Notice the one person who has one already.
I had to stop him from eating three!

Rachel tasting the candle.

Yummy!
This is better!

Playing in the grass. About time for a nap.

What a great 1st birthday!

Playtime outside!

What amazing weather we've had these past few weeks!
I'm excited but also sad about the warmer days to come.

Playing with balls. (Josh hoarding them.)

Josh and his love for trucks.
Rachel mastering going up and down stairs!

On the back deck with chalk! They enjoyed putting it in and taking it out
of the watering can the most! Oh, Rachel did try to eat it too!

Getting wet with the Arctic Splash! Josh enjoyed watching the water go down the slide while Rachel tried drinking the water and ended up getting it all over her dress. Oh well, it was fun!

Mommy's new toy that she gets to share with the kids- a bike trailer that also converts to a stroller. I love this thing! And the kids for the most part like it too. So far we been on rides in the neighborhood and on the greenway close by with a friend. I just need to work up my endurance for hills. Pulling 50+ pounds is tricky going up hills. You try it!

HAPPY SUMMER!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a wonderful and very productive Mother's Day weekend. It began on Saturday morning with yummy sweet potatoes pancakes and cappuccinos made by the hubby, of course. After that we soon got started with some house projects. We needed to move the kid's playroom (which was in the dining room) to the basement since I would be getting my Grandma's dining room table on Tuesday. It was a sad but joyous trade off. I will miss having the playroom upstairs since I could be doing other things around the house while the kids were happily playing and still monitor their behavior. But now, playing in the playroom will require more of my attention since their isn't that much to do in the basement. Maybe this was meant to be... Mommy needs to spend more quality time playing with the kids rather than clean the kitchen? Oh, then there's the new table and buffet! I'm feeling more and more like a grown up these days and am really looking forward to the extra space that the buffet has in it! Yeah, more room for the kitchen items that have been in hiding in the basement.

I forget what we did for lunch but my Mom got in soon after lunch and also helped us in the basement. Josh decided not to take a nap (not sure why) and Rachel only had a short one. The good news though was that they got to spend more time with Bebe this way and Josh got a much needed haircut. You might notice in the picture one of our tools for getting Josh to stay seated and happy- a cookie. Great job Bebe. Thanks!




After the two were up, Jason and I then went off to the H-Mart (an Asian grocery store close by) to get ingredients for dinner. It's silly but this errand was fun for us since it was just the two of us and no kids! Jason planned dinner for us and did all the cooking with a little bit of help. We enjoyed pan-fried wantons, spring egg rolls, salad, Asian appetizers (stuff like kim-chi and seaweed salad), Bulgogi lettuce wraps (Korean barbecue), and sprakling Sake. I know, it was a wierd meal, but we like just about anything and tend to try new things. After baths and bedtime routines, we closed the evening with the newer Pride and Prejudice movie. Very good!



Sunday was a busy day. Jason woke me up very early and we headed off to church. Since we had to be there at 7:30 am, we decided to stop by a Starbucks which was on the way for breakfast and coffee. We walked in and to our amazement it was closed! Mind you, this was a Starbucks inside a Kroger grocery store, but still. It's a coffee stop! It's supposed to be open in the mornings! Evidenlty, they recently changed their hours and we didn't know it. Option two worked out, we still had time to go down the street to Dunkin' Donuts. Whew-hoo! It would have been a rough day (sad to admit) if option two wasn't available.

Church was great! I really enjoyed the worship service and music that I got to play. A friend had requested "Morning Has Broken" for her daughter's baptism. I got to do play this song with piano just before the baptism. It was nice. Afterward we can home and enjoyed lasagna for lunch and once again put the kiddos down for naps and rested ourselves. It was a great weekend! Thanks Jason and Mom! And... my gift came in the mail on Monday. It was a long awaited outdoor table and chairs. Thanks Honey!

Rachel at 11 months

I got a few special photos of "my girl" to celebrate her being 11 months old. I love her facial expressions in some of these. She's really starting to show her fun personality!