Some Very Special Visitors

For the last week in July, we had some very special visitor, Jack's sister and 75% of her family - Adam, Dylan and Dominic. Little Davin stayed in Texas with Grandma and Grandpa. And as hard as it is/can be to be away from the little squirt, some trips are just easier toddler free.

Although I was coming off a busy run at work and Jack and I had to work throughout the visit, we still made plenty of time to make memories. Including a cookie face race where Adam aka Uncle Roaaar to Shelby took home the grand prize. Good times.

I Mopping

Tahoe - Part I

Last week we returned from a 3-day trip up to Lake Tahoe for a reunion with my Dad's side of the family. I certainly missed seeing my mom, but it was wonderful to see my immediate family and to share Shelby with so many aunts, uncles and cousins. We stayed in a fantastic house and made marvelous memories. As you can see from the photos below, Shelby received not shortage of attention.

Books Mama Books!

Shelby loooooves books and I loooove that Shelby looooooves book. For as energetic as she is, she will sit still and listen to Jack and I read her books for up to an hour. She. Loves. It. We read when we wake up each day and before bed every single night. Sometimes she uses books as a bedtime stall tactic, so we often have to balance bed time and squelching her desire but she loves sitting in the chair and reading books with mom and dad. On the weekend we'll read on and off all day long - sometimes she even says "Mama I do it," and she'll attempt to read to me. Adorable.

My favorite part? She has made her own names up for almost every book. Because she now likes to pick her own book, she has named them for her requests:

• Big One
• Cookie Monster
• Horse Book
• Fish Book
• Llama llama
• Pumpkin Prayer
• Bees
• Egg Book
• Cow book
• Brown Bear
• Daddy book
• Ittsy Spider

I could go on and on. I have MANY vivid memories of all of us kids, laying like sardines in my mom's bed as she read to us. I hope Shelby can grow up with the same,  heart-warming and mind-stimulating memories.

Baby You're A Firework

We laid loooow on 4th of July. Why? Because I was about 95% sure Shelby had very mild Hand Foot and Mouth again (ya Day Care). She was kinda grumpy, she said her mouth hurt and she had about three blisters on her hands and another three on her feet. Enough for me. I  a)  didn't want it to get worse b) I did not want Jack or I to get it and c) I really needed everyone to be healthy for our reunion. We had plans to go to a pool party, but since there would be kids there, we cancelled it all together.  About a week later at school there was a memo out that Hand Foot and Mouth was going around....given my past run in with it, we came out unscathed.

The day did not go without some celebration though. Jack grilled some fantastic burgers and picked up some sparklers for the family. Maybe next year :)

Father's Day

We had a nice simple Father's Day together....hard to believe it's already Jack's third! I did not get a lot of photos, but I made Jack and Shelby a nice breakfast to share - sprinkled donuts and all. Shelby also got Jack a now favorite book, Daddy and Me. After breakfast we enjoyed a day together at the house and went to a friend's house with several other families for swimming and food in the evening. A nice family day indeed. Jack has still not yet cashed in his gift, a pair of new athletic shoes.....just doesn't seem like the best thing for me to buy without his input.

Here's to the world's most adorable Daddy-O!

What a Difference a Year Makes

Last summer when I took Shelby to the splash pad she was timid, cold and concerned. This year, she is rip, roarin' and ready to go. We are so fortunate to have lovely parks like this just a mile or two away from our house.