Bull and China.

Sometime last week, Gia and I got into a water fight. Our backyard faces west. So when it is hot elsewhere it is fire hot in our back yard. I had wrapped up work, Gia was home, Luke was playing and Erika was hanging out. Gia turned on the hose. All was well. She began to playfully spray us. And I decided to get her. In turn, she decided to get me. A lazy summer afternoon that was full of great times.

This year has been such a whirlwind that the thought of taking a vacation is plain exhausting. And we had so much fun during our impromtu trip to Tahoe Ralph and I thought that we should continue the memories. Saturday morning, we loaded up the car with a picnic, some chairs, towels and sand toys and made a day of it at the beach. The weather could not have been more breathtaking. We swam, built sand castles, read magazines, and even napped a little. Gia has learned how to take pictures.  Which is pretty fun.  We no longer have to take pictures of ourselves only as far away as our arms can reach.  Of course, we faced the playground side and not the water.  Oh well, next time.  Next time.

On Sunday, we got up and watched some Fresh Beat Band, had “Peanut Jelly Oatmeal” and thought we would head out to the zoo. Our plans were a little derailed and we went to the river for lunch instead.We followed our river lunch with a quick nap and swimming with friends (which I don’t have any pictures documenting). We all got a little sun and a lot refreshed. It was great. Can’t wait to do it again…maybe even before the summer is over.

Two weeks ago we had a crazy week. I came home from a business trip on Sunday at 8am, Ralph left on Monday morning for a business trip at 8am. He came home from that trip at 8p on Thursday night and we all packed up into the car for a quick trip to Tahoe for three reasons:

1. He had to be there for business at 8am the next morning.
2. It was our anniversary that Friday and we had not seen each other in ages.
3. It is Tahoe.

So, off we went. Gia, Luke and I spent Friday working and playing in Heavenly Village. That night we had dinner and ate cookies in bed. It was glorious. Saturday morning we ate at Burrito Brothers (our favorite Tahoe restaurant) for breakfast and took Gia to the bungee trampoline. We decided to take the long way home and drive around the lake. On a whim, we stopped at King’s beach. Gia swam and the rest of us got our feet wet. Then, a culinary school was having a picnic…and fed us. Gourmet food…on the beach. It was an awesome, unforgettable trip.

I certainly feel like this could help my cause. So here is to finding dandelion root tea (and hoping it has a remotely acceptable taste) and loosing five pounds of water weight. Wouldn’t that be nice.

Luke, you are seven months old. And a joyful seven months it has been. You don’t really enjoy solid food or bottles. You would much prefer to be attached to your mommy. In fact, I am quite possibly your favorite person (except for Miss Gia). You always have a smile and the most calm disposition of any baby around. Sleeping- eh, not so much. You will do that pretty much only when you are next to me as well. You love your daddy and everyone in the world. You like to swim and splash and to be in the ergo. Your favorite toy is Sophie the Giraffe and has been for nearly two months. You can flip out of the bumbo and sit up. You love the soothie and really can not go anywhere with out one in your hand, one in your mouth and one extra. You truly are the greatest compliment to our family. We can not get enough of you!

And we are all pretty thrilled.

So remember my super bad day?  Well, today, there was some preschool drama.  As my heart was pounding out of my chest and I went in to mama bear…or actually more of honey badger over drive I needed to find a way to make the day better.  So I did what mom’s do best.  I made it better.  With feathers.

Gia’s cousin Kate has a feather in her hair.   And she is amazing.   And she is nine.   What more could a four year old want than to have a feather just like CK? Not much.   So that is what we did.   Because I was in the honey badger state (by the way, you must watch the video if you don’t know what I am talking about) I had my mom google a salon that did the feather extension things.   Because of course I don’t know where one actually gets a feather extension because I get my hair cut at Wal Mart.  Mimi is amazing and found a salon.  And we just popped in. Gia picked the orange and black feather.   And wanted me to have a matching one. So I did it.   And I kind of like it.

So mean girl, stick that feather in your cap.   Because we had a great day.

See that space between the munchkin hands?  I am supposed to sleep there.  And see the yellow band aid?  Luke is commando crawling.  No injury can get in his way.  Sweet dreams y’all.

Last night I had a brilliant idea.  Brilliant.  I was going to make white beans and sausage in the crock pot.  Ralph is out of town on business and it would be one thing off my plat.  Like I said, Brilliant.  Hmmm, not so much.

My crock pot’s handle was broken in one move or another.  And I jimmy the lid up using a spoon.  It has worked many times.  Years in fact.  Until last night.  I got the lid up and out poured steam.  Lots of it.  Apparently focused on the thumb area of my hand.  And it hurts.  Actually, it did hurt.  The blisters got bigger and proceeded to pop.  Now it is numb.  And that in fact has me a little worried.

So that is how my night ended.  Right after this entire event happened I changed Luke’s diaper and took Gia to the bathroom.  Again, another brilliant idea.

This morning I awaken and I am wet.  Gia has *started* to have an accident.  I tell her to get up and go to the potty.  She does not.  She proceeds to flood my bed.  Great.  We are up.  Gia and I have a quick rinse while Luke screams.  Sheet in the wash.  Let’s get this day going.

We are up a little early.  Gia and I decide that breakfast of the patio is what we need to do.  I saute spinach.  I add garlic.  Then eggs.  Toast some bread.  Plate it all.  Gia wants to help.  I ask her to turn up our “Miami” music and take the watermelon agua fresca’s outside.  She decides she wants to super help and takes the spinach eggs instead.  She slips.  She cries.  Spinach eggs are all over the floor and the cabinets.

We (and by that read I) clean.

We get dressed.  We load the car.  Gia gives me big hugs at school.  Luke drools and is a hit with the girls.  The boys want him to grow up and play catch.  It is a great day.

I get home.  I pour a cup of coffee.  The freaking coffee pot breaks in my hand.  Breaks.  In.  My.  Hand.

I have a moment where I seriously think that I may just sit down and cry.  Or rock myself back and forth on the floor.  Something.  Because this day is just filled with a bunch of pretty non impactful events that just add up to sucky.

I know how lucky we are.  I know that for all intents and purposes, we live a pretty idyllic life.  And for that I am beyond thankful.  And 2011 has been off the charts awesome.  Exhausting.  But rad.

Today may have in fact been the universe telling me to slow down.

So after Gia and Luke’s (two shots…boo) doctor’s appointment we went to Sonic Happy Hour and enjoyed a diet lime aid and a cranberry slush.  And Gia sat in the front seat and we pretended to be best friends on our way to the beach.

And you know what, for all those little things that made this day seem pretty awful…that moment will forever be in my heart making it one of my greatest days ever.