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Tommy is such a comedian. He loves to make us laugh. He puts everything on his head as a hat, even though he knows it is not a hat and then looks at us and waits for us to laugh. He has also started climbing up everything. His favorite place to climb right now is the coffee table. He climbs up and then sits on the very edge while he dangles his feet and grunts out songs or makes the loogie sound and points. Here is a picture of him on the coffee table with a plastic bowl on his head as a hat. Funny boy!

Tommy has been stubborn with his words. I know he understands us, he responds accordingly. Like, "Go get Sister." And he'll walk over and get Taylor. But the actual talking has not been happening. I was not so worried about it until I noticed that other babies around Tommy's age were talking and even using some baby sign. I got concerned. And went on turbo mode of the basic baby signs to promote him talking. I must say that Tommy has for about five months now talked in his own little language. He grunts and we respond. He makes this other sound, sounds like he is about to "halk a loogie" (sorry not sure how else to describe it) and we respond. He points and makes one of those sounds and we respond. He does say "hi" too but it sounds a bit more like "ahh" like he is super surprised.

So the other day Aaron is yelling that Tommy is doing "more" in sign language. Yeah! How freaking excited are we! He is also getting down the please and thank you signs. He is not all the time consistent but that is okay, he is learning. It is a joy to see him grow but I can't help but think sometimes, "Where has the Baby gone?" as I am watching this Funny Outgoing Happy Little Boy emerge. I am overwhelmed with the joy of who my two children are becoming and that I get to be a part of that growth. All the little milestones like Tommy learning "more" are so precious to me.

Reality TV

Okay so I am an addict. I find most reality TV so interesting. Real people. Real stuff. Well, at least I like to think so. I don't have tons of time to watch TV but when I do it is probably a reality show. I love Last Comic Standing, like I have said in previous posts. I just think most of the time it is funny. I mostly like that one because Aaron and I can watch it together and laugh, which is one of my favorite things to do...laugh with my husband. Other shows we love are Hell's Kitchen and Iron Chef. Then there are those that are torture for Aaron but if he has to he will suffer through with me like Tori and Dean and the Bachelorette. I love Tori and Dean because it makes me laugh and she is nothing like I thought she was back in the days of 90210.

Anyhow on to the reason for this post. I have watched most seasons of the Bachelor and have just come to see that they are dumb and I don't want to watch. Well a few weeks ago the kids were asleep and I was having some unwind time and the Bachelorette was on. So I watched. And got hooked. I am a sucker for a good love story. And there was one guy on the show, Graham who DeAnna (current bachelorette) had a total connection with. Last week she sent him home. I can't for the life of me figure out why. Aaron suffered through that episode with me and now has been teasing me about how it bothers me. Any of you that read this watch the Bachelorette? What are your thoughts. I am thinking I need to call my Mom and Nana and vent about this, I know they watch. He was clearly the guy for her. He was reserved but hello shouldn't he be. When he left she was in tears and he was quiet but he left her a note to read away from the cameras and all alone. Good for him. I think she made a mistake. Not like my opinion matters.

Have you ever thought what your life would be like as a reality show? I have. Would we be more like the Osbournes or Run's House? I just wonder in the reality of my life what others would think. If there are times that the good is right in front of me and I can't recognize it. It is SO comforting to know that God knows all the ins and outs of my life and He still loves me. He sees the times when I have done good as a Mom and those times when I fall short, yet He still loves. Or times when Aaron and I are less than respectful to one another and the times when we love each other so perfectly, God remains our rock. It is comforting to know that others may have opinions about my life and how we live but my main audience is an audience of One.

On another note, anyone ever see a dog sit like this? Maggie is such a funny dog.

Summertime

Well we are into the swing of things:) This is our second week of summer vacation and we are loving it. This week Taylor started swim lessons at our gym. She is loving it, the lessons are Monday-Thursday for half an hour. She is also reading a lot so we are making about a trip or so a week to the library. We had a major heat wave hit here, 111 in SLO with no AC!!! I would rather be freezing cold than that hot. It was over 90 in our house. We are now back to our usual 70's and we are SO thankful:) I think Tay would not mind it being a little warmer for her swim lessons, since the pool is outside. However the pool is heated. I will try and post some pictures of that soon. Let's see other happenings for the summer...getting together with friends and family, spending some time with my parents, going out on my parents boat, Tay is going to go to a basketball camp with my brother, Aaron's parents coming in August, and just taking a day at a time.

Here are a few other pictures that we have taken lately:

These two are from Nana's Birthday. I love her so dearly. The first one is from her party and the second one is from us cooking together for the whole family. Good times:)

My Dad and TJ, I love this picture!!!

These two are from Tay's last day of school:) We have already gotten her report card and she did amazingly well. In reading alone she needs to be at a Level 3 and is at a Level 12!!

Pictures from the park. I love the one of the kids walking together!! The look on TJ's face in the last one, so his Father!!!

Love to you all!!!

AIM high

My now 6 year old daughter, who just graduated Kindergarten with flying colors, gave me an entirely new experience yesterday. I'm sitting at work when Courtney begins to Instant Message with me. After a few short exchanges she hands the computer over to Taylor who then begins to Instant Message with me.

My 6 year old daughter was reading what I was typing to her and typing her responses back. My little girl, is not so little anymore. I am quite sure that sooner rather than later her computer knowledge and skills will exceed my own.

What A Day!!

It has been one of those days that has been out of the ordinary...my routine was tweaked a little and I rely on routine. I usually hit the gym at 11:30 for training. Today we went at 9:30. Okay, same work out and same trainer. But still earlier so I did not have time in the morning hustle to eat breakfast or have my coffee. So my work out lagged a bit more than it normally does. I still managed to get my 3 mile run in after the group training so not ALL bad.

TJ usually naps at 9:30 but not today he was in the daycare, but he did exceptionally well. Good. Got home and he was MORE than ready for a nap. I am thinking to myself I will have like an hour or more to myself while he sleeps and I can shower as long as I want. This is gonna be good. Then as I pull up to the house so does our gardener. I just feel weird with TJ sleeping and me in the shower while he is here...so I wait and wait...finally he leaves and I hit the shower.

Halfway through...yes people I am trying to do the unthinkable and wash and condition my hair and shave my legs in the same shower!!! Of course TJ wakes up half way through. But I am determined to finish...I want both legs shaved and the conditioner out of my hair. Selfish I know.

So we manage to get out of the house to get Taylor...on time. Today is her day to take home Rainbow Fish, every student is getting a turn to take Rainbow Fish home for the night and then they journal about their time and share with the class. Hmm, do you think Rainbow Fish would like to take a nap with Mommy? No. Shoot, didn't think so. I know Rainbow Fish would love to go to Trader Joes. Great idea Mommy. Only Mommy didn't know that it was Senior Citizen Day at Trader Joes. Love the elderly but they are pushy. One lady started humming behind me because I was trying to get Tommy to stay seated, waiting for Taylor to grab her cereal, and turn the corner at the same time. Give me a break lady! Okay so we get in line. Lines aren't long, we'll be out of there in no time. Wait...not today because I happened to pick the line with the sweetest most slowest most oldest lady ever. She forgot to grind her coffee so she left all the rest of her groceries to go grind her coffee...at the check out with her credit card through but she forgot to sign. So the poor Trader Joe guy was like I am sorry. I am thinking I could switch lines but at that point it is kinda like when the car in front of you stops and all the cars behind you start getting over and you are stuck behind the car who is stopped. Know what I mean? So I decide to stay in line. TJ at this point is really trying to get out of the cart. So I think I will open up a bag of pretzels and give him one. Nice idea. Look at me the good and patient Mom. Only when I go to open the pretzels half the bag falls out. Nice. I hand the diaper bag to Taylor to hold...now she has Rainbow Fish, the diaper bag, and a Trader Joe cup she sampled lemonade in (not sure why this cup didn't make it to the trash can and is currently sitting in the car). I pick up all the pretzels and hand them to the poor Trader Joe guy who seems to be having a similar day so he can toss them.

So we make it out and even manage a quick stop on the way home for fresh Strawberries at the local stand. The day can be salvaged yet!

We get home and I grab the groceries. Easy right? Not if it is today. Of course my pineapple leaked out all over my clean floors. And got the other stuff sticky! So I get TJ and then clean things up. Only TJ thinks that cat food is the BEST thing he has ever eaten so I have to strap him in the high chair or else he just won't stop eating it! So I am cleaning the floors, unloading groceries and feeding TJ yogurt. I am a woman of many talents!

Hopefully you can see all my humor behind this day, as sarcastic as I may be! I am determined to make this day end well. So I am treating myself. My most favorite treat. Remember how I shaved my legs today? Well, I am washing our sheets. Yes indeedy, my favorite treat. Shaved legs with lotion and fresh cool crisp sheets to sleep in. Heaven. Well, I am sure heaven will be loads better...but I bet we get to have shaved legs and clean sheets as part of the deal. So tonight will end well. We are going to have a tea party with Rainbow Fish. Have dinner. Have bath time. Aaron has Bible Study. So if all goes well kids will fall asleep and I will have a few minutes all to my lonesome with Last Comic Standing (makes me laugh so hard). Anyone else love a few minutes of quiet in their own home? Another slice of heaven for me. So I will wait for Aaron to get home and we will laugh through the end of Last Comic Standing, I will attempt to catch him up. And then I will go to bed...with my shaved legs and clean sheets....

What do you do to treat yourself? I am curious if anyone does anything as goofy as me...

Here are a few pictures from our tea party with Rainbow Fish...enjoy!!!

Making our tea:) TJ can't figure out why his cup is always empty. I guess Taylor really makes our pretend tea seem too good. It is pretty funny to see him turn his cup upside wondering why his doesn't taste good!

I promise she doesn't bite! Mags looking a little Magalicious!

Punk Rock Kitty!Our hostess, punk rock Belle...I mean Taylor!

Tommy, the prince of the party. Tay and I dressed him up too...but I think his Daddy would have a fit if I posted his Boy in a pink outfit...trust me it was a good laugh!

Our Weekend

We have had another great weekend...I think they keep getting better in anticipation of summer vacation being only 12 days away...yeah!!
Friday Taylor and I went to the dentist. I needed a filling and she had her adult molars sealed. Not so fun for either one of us but luckily we got to go into each other's room and cheer each other on. Then since it was just her and I we went to IHOP...not my choice but Taylor loves breakfast. She had a chocolate chip pancake with fruit on it that gave the pancake a face. We were the only two people in the restaurant while we ate! After that we went to Gottschalks...big time for us small town girls! We tried on shoes, outrageous high heels...ones I could never walk in...ever...off the sale rack. We did a little more walking around and then left...didn't buy anything just having a little fun:) The next stop was Blockbuster for a couple movies.
Saturday I was all set to hit the gym, 8 am Power class and then run a few miles. But my kids were too cute and I just could not bring myself away from some Saturday morning cartoons in bed! After a few cartoons we did get up and out by about 830...bribing Daddy with a Starbucks stop....and went for a morning walk on the beach. We brought Maggie along and walked, it was overcast and chilly. The marine layer was still there. I think this is one of my favorite times to be out on the beach. I walked in the water....and found another sand dollar. I have found SO many whole ones. I feel so excited every time I find one all together and not broken at all. I will have to post all the ones I have found....and the story of why they are significant in another post....this one is already beginning to get very long...After our walk we came home and I watched a friends daughter, who is almost one for the afternoon. It was a nice time. We walked to the park and let the kids play and took Mags to the Dog Park. She did well, did not eat any other dogs, PTL.
Today, we cleaned up a bit and ran a few errands. We didn't make it to church because we had friends from out of town over. We barbecued carne asada and I made beans and rice. Then we had fresh strawberries...Yummy. I think we will never grow tired of fresh strawberries:) Now we are just all relaxing. Aaron and Tay are watching A Bug's Life for the 1millionth time. And I am sitting with TJ doing this....contemplating a trip 30 minutes away to pick up a few Target essentials...or can we wait....Here are a few pictures. The first is of Tay and her missing tooth. The next two are of our walk Sat morning on the beach:)

Isn't she beautiful:)
Us Girls:)
The boys...minus Tigger...he is not much for walks on the beach!