This is It

I insist, most times truly, that my happiness is unrelated to the weather. However, when the weather just hits its stride, like it has this weekend, I cannot deny that I am simply more awesome. Or is life more awesome? I'm not sure. Regardless, this weekend's weather has been amazing, and I should just quit analyzing it and go enjoy it some more...

We were happy to get to celebrate my mom's birthday with her this weekend. I love to celebrate. We all do. Any reason to go and do exactly as we please is all right by me.

And for her birthday, I'll give her the gift of not posting a lot of pictures of her. Here, for example, is one of my family, looking like a ray of sunshine.

I cannot help myself, however, and I will post this picture of my parents looking just as cute.

Sophia hates the heat. Her happiness is most definitely and undeniably connected to the weather, at least when we force her to be outside. She does not look like this when it's 95...

These clouds. You get my point now, right? It's like I'm in love. Hopefully you are too, in which case, you don't mind reading about my obsession with this breeze that is currently making me type faster and more accurately.

Of course, the weather can only do so much. Most of the time, all I need is a bit of this. Snuggling and selfies.

Awkward

The other morning, I was getting ready in our room. Sophia was in there, too, because she hates to be alone...

Anyhow, she was rambling along as usual. All the sudden, she says, "Hey, I know where daddy keeps his handcuffs."

Huh? I'm running through my mind trying to figure out what she could possibly be talking about because, as far as I know, he doesn't own any handcuffs.

She holds up a glasses case and opens it.

"CUFF LINKS!" She probably wondered why I shouted.

Grant's Farm

Yesterday was a lovely day, at least as St. Louis summer days go, for a trip to Grant's Farm. It's such an interesting place, full of history and animals - and beer, as it's the Busch family retreat as well as a public attraction.

The horses are always a highlight, but Sophia and her friend were too busy to snap a picture with any of them. On the tram ride in, we saw a few more exotic animals, like the elk cooling off in the pond here.

Of course, the goats, although less exotic, are always a big hit, too. These goats were particularly cute and friendly. Sophia and Cerys had fun naming as many as they could. Renaming several as they forgot...

The apex of our trip certainly came in the form of a camel ride. Neither girl had ever been on the back of a camel before, and they really enjoyed the experience.

Summers are just the best. So much time and so many great things to do! Anybody got a treat for this guy?

Newer to the Lou

We have so enjoyed having Jacob and Jeffrey living closer to us this summer. School will just complicate things in the fall, so for now we're soaking in as much togetherness as we can get.

Last night, we went to the Missouri Botanical Garden concert. I love that place and that event. So much fun. We even got there early enough to go to the Children's Garden - for free on concert evenings.

After we ate our picnic lunch, the kids burnt off a little energy by playing hide and seek in the maze. I just love this picture, showing Jeffrey hiding from Sophia.

As usual, they all had a wonderful time together. I'm so grateful to have them closer so we can be a bigger part of one another's lives.

Lemonade Stand

Just because it's awesome.

Father's Day

The day to celebrate the men who help to shape us. Sophia is lucky to have many men who treat her well and reinforce her belief that she is one of a kind and should stay that way.

Two of them are particularly great. Her daddy.

Giving her those brown eyes that suck you in.

Cherishing the things that are important to her.

And my daddy. Doing what grandpas should and helping her feel safe and loved.

Lucky little girl. Lucky guys to be so loved in return.


Also, clearly I have recently located a treasure trove of old pictures. This may or may not be a good thing. 

Summer Rules

These are the rules Sophia has decided to live by this summer. So far, so good.

Saturday Adventures

Our plan for yesterday was having no plan. With school just getting out, we thought we might just need a little rest day. It turned out to be a very different day.

We decided to go to the Soulard farmer's market in the morning. Lots of fresh veggies and this (fresh tiny donuts)...

Instead of getting back on the highway to come home, we decided to drive through the city. And that's how we happened upon the Midtown Taste and Art Fair. There were a couple others going on around the city, but we didn't want to pay the money the others were charging. So we went to this one instead...

Erick and Sophia had gotten up early and crashed when we got home.

Sophia does not always recover well from a nap. So rather than hanging out at home and struggling over bedtime, I decided we should pack a picnic and head for Shakespeare in Forest Park to see Twelfth Night. Since it was cool and Sophia had slept, I knew this was pretty much our only chance to have a successful trip. Not to toot my own horn, but that was brilliant.
 

At intermission, we offered Sophia the chance to go home, but she responded, "Why would I leave? This play is awesome!" And she followed up by telling Erick that this would be one of her best memories of her sixth year. The kid loves theater. We had so much fun with her there. And the play really was incredible. If you live near and have the chance to attend any night (but Tuesdays) during the next two weeks, make it happen!

I just love days that end up like that. If we had tried to plan to pack a day full of activity, it would have certainly ended in tears and disaster. The bar is certainly set high for the summer, but fortunately, we have a great time together, even when we're relaxed at home...like we are today.