We love visitors

We're so thankful that Salt Lake happens to be between Ohio and Oregon. It means we have seen more of our cousin this summer! Uncle Justin, Aunt Nicole, and Cousin Martin stopped in last weekend (or maybe the weekend before that). Gma I and Gpa I came up from Las Vegas and we all visited with our good friends Amy, Luke, Bonnie, Jeff, and Jesse.

Mom and I went to get our nails done. We didn't mention to Alison where we were going because I knew she would want to go. She accompanied the girls outing to the nail salon before my brothers wedding. I had told her there was a place devoted entirely to pretty nails but I think she was still delighted and shocked when she walked into a nail salon for the first time. I can't believe it. My Mommy wasn't making this up. Such a place really exists!!! PARADISE.

Last weekend, I thought we'd just casually slip out and come back so she'd never feel awful about what she'd missed. Well, I was home 20 seconds and she comes up and asks me very seriously and suspiciously. "Mommy, why ares your toes and fingers pink?" (With the tone, "Mommy, how could you? You went to the special place on earth devoted to pink and nail polish without me!!!")

Grandpa I made up with her by doing her nails after her nap. He had left his glasses at the hotel so he borrowed Grandmas. Alison had a ball.

The Desirable Worm

[Its breakfast time this morning. The lovely Aunt Katie and Uncle Hank brought us fresh peaches over the weekend. I jammed most of them last night but saved a few for breakfast this morning.]

Crazy Mother: Stuart, would you like a piece of toast and peaches?
Stuart: No. I want a piece of toast. No peaches.
Crazy Mother: Why?
Stuart: I no like peaches.
Crazy Mother: You haven't tried them yet. Why do you think you don't like peaches?
Stuart: Peaches has worms.
Crazy Mother: Not these peaches. I already checked.
Alison: AAaaaaaawwwwhhh! I want a worm peach!

Of course.

A few weeks ago GrandpaP brought us apricots from his tree. The first apricot had a nice green juicy worm. Alison was DELIGHTED! We got him out. We rinsed our apricot and ate it up. Alison then directed me to open the other apricots to find more worms. She only wanted to eat apricots with worms. I opened all 16, the rest were horribly and sadly, worm free. Apparently, the quality of peaches is determined by the same criteria--the desirable worm.

Yesterday Was Significant

I want to congratulate Alison and Stuart in navigating their way to the local Burger Joint on their bikes for the first time.

We've talked at length about road safety and lights. We do drills when we are driving in the car--What does that hand mean? Who is allowed to go right now? At home we have signs on popsicle sticks that we use to role play traffic situations, but it was still a little precarious crossing the big streets, during night traffic, for the first time. We rested at the corners, did some preparation exercises, visualized our goal (That sidewalk on the other side of the street, by the tree. Okay, that is where we want to stop.), and waited for perfect timing. (Ready? 1, 2, 3, go!) Sometimes we had to wait for the next light cycle because of stalled start, but we persevered and accomplished!

The manager, Mike, was so impressed, he brought us all ice cream cones to celebrate.

There She Is, HOME!

She needs to settle and acclimate to her new home before we have her tuned in about 2 weeks, but I'm already enjoying her so much!

Yup, a post.

The primary kids didn't eat me, yet. Primary has been partly to blame for my absence, as well as a beautiful summer, a busy garden, helpful twins, and an angry computer. Thanks for the comments, even when I'm away! Devoted crowd.

Today we played outside in our pool. Alison and Stuart found some very sophisticated boats and after they got too cold (mostly tired) they pushed all the pillows from my couch to get extra cozy.