Finishing Up

 Got the cortisone shot in my shoulder yesterday so I’m hoping - really, really hoping - it works and I can start quilting again soon. These past 4 months have been a bummer crafting-wise. Doctor said it could take up to a month for the pain to go away . . . as long as it GOES I’m ok with that, but sooner is definitely better.

I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel on the genealogy book too (hubby says it’s a locomotive heading my way. He’s so funny. 😂😂) Still waiting on one birth certificate from Ireland but it shouldn’t be a big surprise. I hope. 

All the text is written (2nd draft, with at least one more pass-through to go), the individual branch charts are almost done, and my plan is to sort and scan photos starting tomorrow. Still hoping I can get this done and have rough drafts printed in time to share on our Alaska cruise. . . 

Happy 7

 Happy birthday to tiny girl, who turned 7 today.

We started celebrating yesterday with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese.

Today was presents and lava cake - her current favorite -

and tomorrow? 

Who knows. But it’ll be fun!

Free Time

 I expected more resistance to my “two hours, no phone/iPad” summer policy

All eyes on Jackie, and her painting

but after one token protest (telling her friend “haha, grandma doesn’t know I’m sneaking my phone” as I walked into the room . . . Helloooo, Leo!), both girls have gotten into the spirit and might even be enjoying the change of pace. 

Leo did all the work, from concept to finish on this pillow!

(They are enjoying. Might not admit it though.)

Flower power

Rockets And Lizards

 Jac caught a lizard on her first try!

Not sure who was more startled, Jac or the lizard. She and Donovan kept trying all afternoon to catch another one but I think the lizard early warning system put the word out . . .  

And I’m not the only one hooked on buying water toys.

Jac and Donovan both like playing with water but they don’t like to be wet (they’re getting better though) and they really don’t like having water on their faces. 

So I wasn’t sure how they’d like the new rocket Pop bought. 

Loved it! Neither would get near it when the water was on but both liked setting it up when it fell over (often!) This one’s a keeper. 

Leia and Donovan helped me look for backyard lizards. I’m curious if they are also fence lizards or if we have a variety. Hoping for variety . . .

Another Day . . .

 Another day, another local park. 

We’ve been to several birthday parties here, so I was expecting good things, but boy has it gotten run down. Really a shame. 

This one is #3 out of 3 parks and I expect it’ll stay at the bottom of the list as we add more locations. ☹️

Then ice cream - 

with the littles sitting as far from us as they could get. When did they turn into teenagers???

Rounded out with a stop at the dollar (and a quarter) store for yet more water toys for the yard.

This summer is starting out epic. 

Note: Valle Lindo Park

Lizards

We’ve had Western Fence Lizards in our yard for years. 

Summer Solstice Girl

We’ll see them running across the sidewalks or hear rustling in the bushes when we walk by (one of these days it’s going to be a snake . . . )

Can you see him?

But they seem to be *much* more active lately - out in the open, chasing each other, putting on ‘pushup’ displays - and not even a little afraid of us bipeds. 

Pretty boy

So I looked them up and, sure enough, it’s mating season, with the eggs due to hatch in July. 

Watering the lizards

Yesterday, while we were in the back yard, 3 or 4 lizards came racing towards us out of the undergrowth, stopped on a block wall a few feet away and very aggressively started doing push-ups. You could almost hear them yelling  “walk away, human!” (It’d be more impressive if they were bigger . . .)

Today, Jac and Donovan were slapping wet towels against the river rocks (to “water them down”) and an angry lizard ran down the front wall (red arrows), came to a halt almost on Donovan’s foot, and started the push-up routine. Another one sat on the wall (blue arrows) while the littles sprayed the ledge with ‘lizard water’ less than a foot away. Jac and I think they’re cute but Donovan isn’t so sure. Please, don’t anyone tell Donovan that lizards do bite. Jac and I have him convinced they don’t . . . “Only the  Africa lizards bite” says Jac. 😳 Love all the activity and can’t wait to see the babies soon! 

Peace and Chaos

One of our goals for the summer is to check out as many of Camarillo’s parks as we can. 

This is park #2, near Jac’s (and Leo’s and Leia’s old) school. So peaceful but apparently not enough to do as all the kids rated it below the park we usually visit before taekwondo. Sorry, pretty park!

And then the chaos - the regular taekwondo teachers are in Korea this week (annual studio trip) so we visited the 7-10 year old class.

So many kids! There had to be 40 students, which was a shock after having just 3 attend our usual class.

Donovan and Jac were a bit overwhelmed so we may not go back on Thursday. Regular class resumes Tuesday so they won’t miss much. 

First Day of Summer

 Technically, there’s still a few days until it’s officially summer,

but school’s out,

sun’s shining

and the water toys are in full use. 

Sure looks like real summer to me. 

Father’s Day

 Burgers and bunnies,

watermelon and big boys at Matt’s…

Flowers from Gary …

and lots of silly selfies with cute kids.

Such a nice day. 

Reading With OwlBob

I knew there was trouble when Pop texted me this, with no explanation …

Once we got home, it took Jac and Donovan about thirty seconds to spot the new addition to our front yard. 

My idea to name him Owlbert (Albert…) was immediately overruled - Jackie declared him OwlBob and OwlBob he remains. 

Also Jackie: “Grandma, PopPop found where you hid the credit card!”* 

We have the craziest front yard but OwlBob is a keeper. We loooove him - and his cousin, Hopscotch. 

* Last time she told me I should take away his credit card HERE. 😂😂😂

Entertaining Jackie

Entertaining Jac at dinner tonight, Pop told her if she pulled on her ponytail, her nose would grow. She laughed, but I looked over a couple minutes later and she was testing it out… 😂😂🤥

Overload

Look at this handsomeness overload!

Travis graduated to middle school this month (he’s 11 months younger than Leanne and Isaac is 4 months younger than Jaclyn.)

Garrett, Travis, Isaac and Breanne

Check out the matching shoes. Too cute!

Ups and Downs

This African Iris is one of my favorite yard treasures and it’s really outdone itself this year.

Yesterday it looked like a giant blossom snowball. Of course, I forgot to take a pic.

The bonus for waiting til today is raindrop sparklies. So beautiful. 

Procrastination (or forgetfulness) does (sometimes) pay off. 

Spent the weekend moving and sorting my friend Karen’s fabric stash, 

Preteen for size comparison 

then taking it to Carpinteria for pricing ahead of the quilt guild’s upcoming sale. (June 24! Santa Barbara! Great stuff, fabulous prices!) Which is also the day her yarn stash will be for sale at the spinning guild meeting in Camarillo. She wanted her treasures to go to people who would use them and that’s exactly what’s happening. She’d be so pleased.