We have been doing nothing and everything for the last month.  We spent the day with Grama Aleene yesterday.  She has an old jeweler’s loop that fascinated the boys and the picture above pretty much sums up the theme of our summer.

We have a weekly date at the local Buellton library where we turn in our Summer Reading Journal and get prizes for reading  books.  Also, the library (which is free) offers a weekly “show” on Wednesdays at 10 A.M.  Week one was a ventriloquist that told some really cool stories.  Week Two was a very impressive Kazooo concert put on by the local senior citizen group.  The third week was a magician named the Great Linguini that was seventeen if he was a day.  I don’t think I need to describe any of these in detail to let you know what my summer has been like.

We also had a really fun Fourth of July with lots of family at The Wild Oaks Ranch in Ballard….a.k.a. Bailey, Bunny, and Sparky’s house.  They allow Steve, Michelle, Lauren, and Mitchel to reside there also, as long as they act as proper guardians and conservators of the estate.  It was a blast.  Burgers and Jello Jigglers cut in the shape of our country.  The boys played with everyone, but especially enjoyed Canyon (6) and August (2).  Mitchel was the leader of the male cousins, and poor Kristen just kind of watched in awe as the boys performed circus acts.

Lauren is almost past the point of any “kids table” identity which just astounds me.   I remember sitting in the waiting room of the hospital (wearing a really bad late ‘80’s outfit) and watching as Steve (in scrubs) raced down the hall with his new family.   How is it possible that she is an actual grown up now?

We also managed to survive another July Fourth Parade, wherein, I was heard to remark, “So, when Santa drives by, we can leave, right?”  We had brief aspirations of actually viewing fireworks in person, but we relented to the exhaustion and good sense that sometimes takes us over.  We were all in bed by nine and heard the dull echoing booms and dog barks….and I have to tell you, it was nice.

Sam’s latest expression is a doozy.  He comes flying into the room, tears streaming, and says with the most heartfelt, Shakespearean delivery, “Ackie broke my fee-wings.” Usually the culmination of an exchange where Alex decided to play with a toy that Sam felt he had staked a claim to several days prior, but it is still most impressive when you hear it from a two year old.  We have all had our feelings “broken” at one time or another.  And regardless of our own contributory negligence, it can still be rough.  Apologies were, of course, exchanged and Alex is gaining an understanding of the time warp that happens in a two-year-old’s mind.   Learning lessons abound in my house…..and usually I am the one with the most to gain.

Much love,

tiff