TWENTY-SEVEN

 

Pet Cemetery. What could go wrong?

2025 week twenty-seven

Happy 4th of July. 

The Flower Mound Children's parade added a bubble pit this year. It was a big hit. 

The best part of the bubbles was at the end when the wind started to blow them away. 

The kids felt like they were dancing in the clouds. 

This week V's room got a bit of a glow up. We painted and moved things around. 

We got rid of the old bed she's had for 10 years and got her a loft bed and a pretty mirror second hand.

We added curtains to the desk area so she could have a little private cubby spot. 

Kippy is always on guard against the evil pigeons. 

TWENTY-SIX

My niece and nephews visited one day this week. While the boys played in the pool, this little one became good friends with the pets.

2025 week twenty-six

From last week when we went to Shakespeare in the Park to see Othello. This is one of my favorite summertime traditions. 

Theo being silly with silly hair. 

The kids have been setting up shooting targets and using rubber band guns to shoot down army men and barricades. 

Another Saturday swim meet. 

And a lovely Saturday afternoon baby shower for one of my dearest friends. 

It was so lovely to have tea and celebrate with you. 

Gazpacho. I love it and everyone in my house gags when I walk by drinking it. 

TWENTY-FIVE

 

Chicken piggy back rides! The chickies all try to jump on Mama's back when she comes into the nursery to put them to bed. 

2025 week twenty-five

I used pruned plum tree branches as my tomato cages this year. We'll see. I'm also growing sunflowers for the express purpose of drying their stalks for tomato stakes next year. 

Matt took this photo from our bedroom window and said "This is a photo of our good old days." You can just spot V in the background playing in the baby pool. 

Summer magic: sourdough, peonies, jam making, and lemon mint water. 

Matt had Juneteenth off so we headed to the Dallas World Aquarium bright and early.

We had the place mostly to ourselves until about 11. The manatee was being rather gregarious. At one point a duck just sat on her back and elected to be driven around.  

Matt made us pick the animals we would have to take home as pets. I picked this golden mini toucan (I'm positive that's not its real name.) 

Theo picked this neon blue bouncy bird. (Also not its real name, but ornithologists are a bit rogue so could be close.)

Matt picked this orange slice of a bird. 

And V picked a mini cayman. 

We all got In-N-Out for lunch after. 

On Friday we attended a cat wedding. 

It was as amazing as you are imagining. 

Showing the baby birds to our friends' son. 

On Monday I had jury duty. I was there for 8 hours only not to get picked. BUT I had an excellent lunch at a local Italian deli near the courthouse. When I asked the clerk if they had coffee he said, "No. We have espresso." Ok Guiseppe, calm your biscotti.

Matt has completed another incredible home improvement task. He resurfaced the garage floor. This is after sanding #1 and crack sealing #10,000,000. 

Perfectly smooth and ready for epoxy. 

First layer done.

Final flake and top coat. It is amazing. 

Quotes:

V- "Where are you going?!"
Me- "Papa and I are going to the office to snuggle and smooch."
V- "Why are you both so gross?!"

Theo, picks up a trail of dried grass and ties it around his head, "Look it's my corona civica!"
Friend A- "You're Julius Caesar and your corona."
V- "Is Corona Virus named after Caesar? Because it's like the king of viruses?"
Friend A- "Julius Caesar was a virus!"
Matt -"And the vaccine was called Brutus."
Peals of classically schooled children's laughter fading down the hall.

TWENTY-FOUR

Our mean old french hen Edith actually turned out to be a wonderful mother hen. We had to get her a few more babies though, including a turkey, because she was over-mothering her single little chick. 

2025 week twenty-four

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On Monday, Theo went away to scout camp for three days. 

He didn't shower once apparently and had the best time. 

On Saturday we had a swim meet in Ft. Worth. V swimming the freestyle. 

Theo swimming backstroke. He got first place.  No photos exist of me swimming my races because I was *ahem* just too fast for the camera to capture... :) 

After our swim meet, I took the kids to Coco Shrimp. V said, "Ok, if every shrimp tasted like this then I would LOVE shrimp." If you're ever in Ft. Worth and like (or don't like) shrimp, you have to check them out. 

We found a birds nest in Matthew's bike helmet. It's a tiny house sparrow nest with four little eggs. The mother startles easily when you are going in and out of the side gate which can be rather alarming if you're not expecting it. 

Matt and Darrin got to go see Wu-Tang Clan in concert on Friday. 

Sunday morning was a glorious overcast 75 degrees. We needed milk and cat food but V and I decided to just bike to the store. We had a lovely time. 

Happy Father's Day to Matthew. I love it when you match Kip.