Mini Block Party

Before you read any of this post you should know that once again I've been asked to turn over my Supermom cape . . . It seems like every time I'm flying high through the sky, sporting my hard earned cape, I have go and do something really dumb and lose it again.

This weekend we had a neighborhood garage sale. I still have lots of baby clothes and toys so we decided to participate. After the sale on Saturday we, and a few of our wonderful new neighbors, decided to have a mini-block party. We hung out in our driveway and grilled burgers, brats and dogs. It was really fun.

Kate dressed up for the party.

And put on her Hannah wig.

I think she looks more like

Britney in this shot.

Sarah even broke out a boa.

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Everything was going well . . .
Until Kate got on her bike.

About 40 feet after this shot little Kat

fell of her bike.

And broke her sweet little arm.

Here she is at the ER waitng for the doctor.

In spite of being in a lot of pain

she managed to smile.

When we got home, big sister,

(who the neighbors lovingly watched,)

and who was very worried

about her BabyKat

had decorated the mailbox

for little sis.

The next day Kate was back to normal.

Bouncing around like a little tigger.

Note the blurry picture.

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Capeless again.

Hey at least I remembered the camera!!

These Small Moments

We are having the best summer! Our days are relaxed and for the first time Supermom isn't working during the day (very much) - which means no nanny - just mom and the girls all day, so there's lots of time to enjoy all the little things . . . Jeff has been teaching the girls to play guitar. Sarah is really doing well! Today they brought their guitars up from the basement. It was like MTV Unplugged. They both have the wild rock star hair too boot.

Happy Birthday USA

This is one birthday you won’t find presents all over my leaning shelves!

What a day we had! You know how 4th of July celebrations are always depicted in movies: barefoot kids, blowing bubbles, eating ice cream that never drips on their pristine outfits, running past in slow motion giggling . . . parents mingling nearby, having cocktails, unconcerned with the well being of the children because they live in fantasy land and nothing bad happens there . . . .? Well, put on your moccasins and take a trip with me to the land of Far, Far Away.

Our very sweet neighbor Andrea invited us to spend the 4th of July with her family at her sister’s farm. For the past few years Andrea's sister and her husband have hosted their town's 4th of July celebration. This year it was a potluck. I made Jeff’s favorite pasta salad and melon ball fruit salad using the hollowed out watermelon as a bowl. (Don’t be so surprised – I didn’t give myself the title of Supermom for nothing.)

When we arrived at the farm the girls found the other kids right away and ran off to play. Andrea’s family was gathered under a stately maple tree chatting and welcomed us graciously. We spent the afternoon visiting and sipping strawberry mojitos. Later Jeff joined in a game of volleyball and, having brought my face painting gear, I decorated all the children – some more than once. Before long it was time for dinner. Apparently everyone in this little town has been trained by Gordon Ramsey – or maybe I had one too many mojitos - but everything was terrific!
As dusk approached Andrea pulled out a huge bag of light up bracelets and necklaces. All the kids were glowing as we prepared to watch the fireworks, then they lit up some sparklers. It was a cool evening so we snuggled up with a blanket to watch the show. The fireworks display was fantastic; made even better because we were so close.

At the end of the night we threw all our gear in the Sequoia and ventured home – it took ten minutes. There was no traffic, no policemen, no cones or barricades. Just open cornfields. I’d like to post some photos of the day to show you, but that’s the only problem with visiting a fairy tale- the pictures never come out. Okay actually we were just having so much fun taking pictures just didn’t seem important. I did manage to snap these two early in the day:

Here is Kate with her Firecracker hairstyle.

And here is Kate on the tire swing

made to look like a horse.

I know . . . it really was a fairy tale day.

The End

Time to leave Far, Far Away and get back to work!

No Fences

The first few months we were here in Illinois Laurel perched herself in our big bedroom window for much of the day. She had noticed the handsome Golden Retriever (Jack) who lives behind us. Eventually we met our neighbors, but having no fence in the backyard the closest Laurel ever got to Jack was from her line on the deck. In late June we had an Invisible Fence installed for little Lola. Once her training was complete she was free to roam the yard and get a better look out the handsome boy next door.

Hey Jack, can you come over and play?

I can't leave my yard!

Ask your mom to let you off that line!!

I've waited four months to meet you!

Lucky Lola's world is much bigger here in Illinois. She gets to play with Jack almost every day (when his parents are home and let him off his line.) With the Invisible Fence she's free to go outside in the front and back. She helps her dad with yard work, she plays with the girls and best of all she has a great friend!!