The Library

On our way to pick up a much needed grape slush from Sonic the other night, Aliyah began asking me a zillion questions about horses. Maybe it was due to the "back"-ish (still in the city) way that we took to get there. I got questions about types/colors/racing horses etc...
Finally, I told her that she needed to get a book on horses and just read because I simply didn't know the answers to all of these questions.

Granted, I have seen the Anheuser Busch clydesdales, but other than that I don't know the specifics. I will mention that the AB clydes are quite magnificent. I remember the one named "Captain". He was/is HUGE--very tall!

Once we arrived at Sonic, we waited in the drive-thru for the all important slushes while Aliyah proceeded to read all of the various signage around the place. It was at that moment that it dawned on me that I could enroll her in the summer reading program at the library and let her check out books about subjects that she has interest. The idea made her exuberant!

Today, we went to the library, signed her up for the program. The lady asked if she was reading books on her own. We told her "yes". I proceeded to ask her where we could find the books on horses. This lady has been at the library for YEARS & YEARS. In fact, she was head of the children's dept. when I was in the reading program as a child. Fortunately, things have gotten an upgrade in technology since my last visit =). I told the lady that she wanted to know all about horses. She told us that the books at Aliyah's reading age level were just stories about horses, but she would show us the non-ficion/info books and we could read them to her. I asked Aliyah which ones she wanted to check out and she pointed to a series of 5 (I knew that's what she would pick). We took them, signed her up for a library card, checked them out and on our way we went.

During the car ride, we heard all about Thoroughbred Horses. Aliyah was reading to us from the back seat. There were a couple of words she didn't know like "Secretariat" & "Citation", but didn't have a problem at all aside from that. So, we are ALL learning about horses =). It had big words like "thoroughbred" and such in it. Anyway, that is our happy library story. She can't wait to go back each week. The summer program is 5 books per week. I'm excited for her and this will sharpen her for 2nd grade.

On the swimming note...we did get to go swimming for the first time this summer--yesterday. It wasn't overly warm, but we made it. We were going to go tonight, but when we came out of the library--it was raining. Go figure!

Gardenscapes

Can someone tell me what these are?? I have tons of them growing along the fence, but no idea what they are!
Love these multi-colored geraniums--the color contrast is awesome!

Astillbe--or False Spirea

Urn & a garden angel

This pot of flowers is just HAPPY!

Isn't this the cutest little Starbucks cup? It was a sample at Target today. Totally what I need right now to get me cleaning the house--some motivation!

Tufsey couldn't resist being a part of the gardenscapes shoot.

No, this isn't a tie-dye dress--it's Aliyah's VBS t-shirt. She's so tiny that it looks like a dress. The shirt actually pretty much fit most of the kids. No worries, I rolled the sleeves and tied a knot in it so it looked better for her program

The diva-fashionista with her bling, ca$h, and Polly car

Me...I apparently found an excuse to put off cleaning...yikes--I'm just not motivated. Maybe it's cuz still NO swimming yet!!

Garden Sightings

Here's our "new" three season porch/breezeway!

Fountain

Honeysuckle vine--oh such a sweet, sweet smell!

Coral Bells--enchanting--don't ya think?

Tufsey--sweet little cat

Making Memories

We had a fun night together. I call it a "family date". We went miniature golfing for the first time--for the girls. Josh and I spent many a free-date night at this particular place. That was one of the perks to the summer job we had in HS and college. The biggest perk of all in that job...it's where we found each other and love =). Pretty awesome if you ask me.
It was tons of fun and a private golf experience since we were the ONLY people on the course the ENTIRE time.
We stumbled upon a new store today while making a return at Banana Republic. It's an artsy-ish store. I called a real-life Etsy store. Everything in it is handmade by local artists. It has jewelry, furniture, hairbows, art, pottery etc... Apparently, they just opened today. I bought a cool handmade cocktail ring and a pretty bracelet.
Other than fun with my 3 sweeties, it doesn't feel like summer and we HAVEN'T been swimming (aside from at our hotel in Chicago).
Also, on a different note...I enjoy reading blogs. There are so many stories/needs out there. Well, the blog that I have most recently been reading A LOT (which fortunately wasn't linked here), has been exposed as a FAKE HOAX!! There is even a Chicago Trib article about it tomorrow morning (it's online tonight). The answers are definitely not in the article, but anyways...it is what it is. On that line, I have decided to spend much LESS of my time on blog readings and more time enjoying my girls and Josh. In that spirit, I have deleted my buttons on my blog, but have left my list as it was before.
People can choose to portray whatever type of persona they choose and sometimes its easy to get caught up in that false portrayal. Of course, ideally it would be nice if people would be who they really are, but I can't control that one. I can only control what I do and my own blog.
No worries, there is plenty for me to do--we have the porch project, work, a house to clean, a garden to tend to, girls to love on, a kitty to feed, a husband to spend time with, grocery shopping, and exercise (what's that?)
Aliyah has thoroughly enjoyed VBS this week and loved making a tie-dyed shirt. Keirah is still going strong in her PT 101. We got some brand new panties today and she was even more excited. Aliyah's tooth is looking more and more crooked by the day, but it's been like 2 weeks since we knew it was loose and it's still there. I'm sure it will just come out in her food or something.
Off to watch "New In Town" to finish off date night--the kids are sleeping now.

Bits 'n Pieces

Let's see...try to sum up the weekend. Easy. Not long enough =).

I came close to having a heart attack last night. Why? I was driving along a street right by our house. It intersects with a bicycle trail. Traffic has the right of way--no yields or stops or anything. It was about 9 pm and so-- dark. Fortunately, I saw a kid on a bike and slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting him. He didn't stop, slow down, or anything to cross the busy road. The car going opposite me hadn't quite reached the spot where the trail crosses yet, but after seeing my slam on my brakes and honk at the kid...they stopped completely and they were going the opposite way. My heart was pounding. Nobody wants to hit someone while driving that's for sure. I thanked God for allowing me to see the kid and stop.
I definitely wondered a) why is a 8-10 year old kid out riding his bike in the dark on the bike trail by HIMSELF??
b) don't parents care what their kids do?
c) doesn't he have the sense to stop and look both ways?????

Other bits n pieces...

Keirah is all into using the potty seat and I would call her completely trained. She is to the point where she doesn't want us to go in there with her b/c "she can do it herself". She must visit it like 20 times a day. YAY!!

We didn't get to go to the pool--too cloudy/a bit rainy.

We did some more work on the porch --er Josh did.

The girls are in their room singing right now with their CD. It couldn't sound any cuter!

Tomorrow starts VBS for Aliyah. She loves going so much. It will make for a busier week, but it's worth it!

Tufsey now has a kitty door installed on the porch. I'm hoping he will figure it out. The other regular door will be installed soon and he will have to or he won't be able to get inside the porch.

We saw the NASTIEST, largest beetle the other night on the porch that came flying in. It was black, huge, and had horns!! It even fought with the cat. It would play dead and then get back in a fight position. Cool to watch--sort of, but yikes I hate bugs that look like they belong in a movie or in make believe. It was like some scary bug from Indiana Jones or something. It even bit Tufsey once!

Other than that, I have many things to do tonight. Wash/vac the car, laundry, dust, bathroom cleaning etc... That's why the weekend could have lasted longer --lol!

PT 101

As it goes in the "milestones" of babyhood or toddlerhood or whatever...Keirah has reached one!! The one that really gets mommy & daddy excited because the wallet should have some extra ca$h in it--goodbye DIAPERS!!!
She's so proud of herself and we are too. She has gone 2 days without accidents and wearing panties.

She loves the "rewards". She gets to put a Dora/Diego sticker on a little chart. She also receives a piece of gum when she goes. When her chart is full of stickers, she gets to go to the store and get a Polly Pockets car. She loves Polly's and she doesn't have a car.

Yay!!

Crossing our fingers for some nice weekend weather so we can visit the pool!

9 Years

I don't know where they have gone, but they have flown by!! Nine years ago on June 3rd, I married my best friend. He is my soulmate, the sexiest man alive, my handyman, a SUPER daddy to 2 little girls, the person who makes me laugh the most, and my husband. How on earth did I ever deserve to be blessed with Josh??
In nine years...there's been a lot packed in...work, laughter, house projects, house projects, remodels, trips, two wonderful little girls, a kitty cat, a move, growth, love, eating at Chili's and PF Changs, enjoying many firsts of Josh's life etc...
For example, we experienced one of those "firsts" the other day. We were parked right by Sears Tower. As we were walking to our car, there was an old fashioned Good Humor ice cream truck. I decided it was time for a treat. Three out of four of our family had never had a treat from the ice cream man. It was great...he rang his little bell and everything...not to mention he was dressed for the part. A yummy sno cone for me, a lime popsicle for the girls, and a Reese's bar for Josh and that was another first!
Happy Anniversary, baby--I love you so much more than I did even 9 years ago!!!