Road Trip

In the great American tradition of the summer road trip, we headed south this weekend to J's family's favorite lake, Bull Shoals. Just south of the Missouri border in Arkansas, it really is an unspoiled, lovely lake. We saw our cousins and Nana and Mike. The kiddos were, for the most part, great in the car, though we had several breakdowns. There was, as to be expected, some family drama, but overall, only one walk out during dinner, so I consider that a success. Jack rode on the innertube with his cousins and Daddy, we were all so proud. No fear. The twinnies took a boat ride and given the rather high heat index, a very cautious dip in the lake. J had a great time driving (or piloting? Not fluent in lake lingo) the boat the second day, Caroline was his second in command. J was a trooper and barbequed for the family both nights and hosted the second night. He also drove all the way home, practically, which was a rest for me. All in all, a good escape for a few days. We're back to the grind today.

Father's Day

Those who know me well know that I have a theory, developed in part by our former nanny, that videogames have ruined our generation of men. I say it halfway kidding and halfway not, but really out of frustration of the boatload of work that comes with motherhood. All in all, my kids have a great, great dad. He plays, reads books, comes home, earns a living, laughs and cries with them. We have our disputes, yes, but I am deeply grateful that I and my kids have J as our partner and dad. Great blessings abound. In memory of my own great dad, I am slightly sad this Father's Day, but because he missed seeing his grandkids, which would have been a great joy, particularly Jack. He wanted Emily to be a boy so badly he painted the nursery blue and painted footballs all over her crib. (Not to worry, she ended up being the favorite.)
We have had a busy couple of weeks. Jack has gone back to nursery school and though I believe we are developing a summer cold, has done much better going and enjoying school this time around. The twins reached the 6 month mark! CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT. The baby angels sleep from 8-11 p.m., when they take their last feeding and then rock sold from 11 p.m. to 5:30 or so. Life is getting better readers. Our great Grandma visited very briefly on a trip out west, but got to meet the twins, which was a great treat and a joy.
In the pictures, J reads to Brooke and Jack, Jack and J at the zoo, Great Grandma and Jack and my favorite shots....Brooke sleeping in her bed, she always sleeps on her side like this, too cute...and Caroline sleeping in her stroller. It's off to the pool on this hot Friday!

Good Friends & Good Times

Our dear friend Harriet visited us this weekend while J was away at an overnight golf tournament. We were thrilled! We spent a lot of time admiring Jack and the twins and getting reacquainted.
What else is going on? More of the same.....thinking about business options for me, J practices law, the kiddies grow and are adorable. I am in month 3 of staying home and I do enjoy it, though it is a VERY different lifestyle. It is a mere hiatus, but hard to think about the right career with little ones. There must be a flexible and challenging option somewhere. I am not happy unless obsessing about something!
In pictures, Auntie Harriet with the twinnies, Brookie and Caroline get a little exercise, Jack in the sculpture garden near our house, Brookie on the back porch in her hat. The midnight and last feeding of the night approaches....bonne nuit....