Working at the CarWash

I wish I could link that song right to this post. I have lots of memories of washing cars as a kid. I think it's one of the most fun ways to spend an hour on a hot, hot summer day. My most memorable car washing event was when my brother was spraying me with the hose and I slid down the windshield and cut my heel wide open on the wiper. There was a lot of blood! I can't honestly say that I hope that ever happens to my kids, but I'm glad when they have fun in their swim suits scrubbing down the car. I'm sure they will have plenty of memories of their own by the time they are adults - and hey, who knows? - maybe a few water fights of their own.

Oli spent time intently washing the grill.Aurelia, my own pin-up girl, faithfully washing each of the wheels.
Ezra's work was a little more sporadic, but he certainly had plenty of enthusiasm! He worked on wheels, walls and spent a lot of time in the water.
This is my favorite shot - the silhouette and the sunshine.

Strange Housemates

I just had to post this picture of my kids dressed up. Aurelia started it with her strange black outfit. It was really creepy because she had no face. I think she helped the boys get dressed up too. Then it was all fun till the costumes got too hot.

Poppa Pillow

I think they roped poor Poppa into watching Yo Gabba Gabba! Doesn't he look enthralled? It's a good thing he's got two experienced snugglers with him.

Art in the Soul

When we love and when we create we are most like God.
Aurelia and Ezra are making "menus" for their restaurant. I doubt that any of you could afford to eat there considering that a drink sells for around a million dollars.

Water Play

Don't these pictures say it all?

Zoo Follies

You know those times when your gut (and your husband) say you should just call and cancel some plan or other that you've made, but you don't? Well this zoo trip was one of those days for me. We'd made plans to hit the zoo with some friends and the morning of, Aurelia awoke with a sore throat and a fever . . . but after some breakfast and medicine she said she really felt up to going to the zoo . . . lesson #1 - never let your kids decide that they are well enough to do something fun - of course they think they are . . .

Well, I really hate backing out of things and I super really hate backing out of fun things that I've been promising my kids we'd do, so we packed a lunch and other necessities and headed out . . .
The first part of the day wasn't so bad - see the photo below? Smiles.
This next photo is where I learned lesson #2: IF you go out with a kid who's not feeling well, bring some back-up medicine with you! Poor Aurelia started eating lunch and guess what she realized was starting to hurt again? Yup- her throat and she was really heating up too . . .

My friend lovingly pushed Aurelia around in her jogging stroller so she wouldn't have to walk anymore. . .


and we made good on our promise to the other three to ride a ride and the train.


Aurelia was a real trooper . . . especially considering that when we got home her fever was at 104 and I rushed her to the doctor's office (thankfully they were still open!) and discovered that she had strep throat! Yup. I should have called that day off. Poor Aurelia. But the good news is that no one we knew got sick (not us, nor our friends anyway) and that story ended on a fairly good note.

And in the Center Ring . . .

I couldn't be more bummed that photos from the kids' birthdays wouldn't upload. We celebrated in high style Aurelia, Ezra and Oliver turning 6, 4 and 2 this year (March 31 - April 2) on the 10th with a friends and family party here at the house. Mima painted the awesome face banner (seen below) and faces at the party where the theme was "Three Ring Circus." One of our favorite college gals took photos for us, but they won't upload from my computer to this website, so I've posted three photos that I took on my camera.
Clown Aurelia and ladybug-lion Ezra.

Dog-lion Oliver, with a lolly sucker.

Lots of people showed up for the event. I decorated the kitchen like a circus tent with streamers and we had circus-fare foods. It was truly chaos of the most exciting kind! Everyone who wanted to got their face painted, kids were jumping on the trampoline, aunties, uncles, grandmas and grandpas, friends and family were eating and talking and enjoying the day. It was a wonderful time and the kids felt very loved. I thank each of you who were able to make it and those of you who called to sing happy birthday we appreciate too!