That Other Mouse

I honestly forgot that I bribed Jac with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese if she let me cut her hair yesterday.

The shock of her saying “ok” knocked it clean out of my brain. 😂

Guess who didn’t forget? 

And who started asking “is it time yet??” as soon as she walked in the door this morning?

Leo is so good at this claw game, she was giving balls away to random kids who asked.

A deal’s a deal, so we spent the afternoon with all four grands at that other mouse house.

Jac’s down and dirty, grandma-did-it haircut ended up costing twice as much as when I get my hair professionally cut. 😜

Worth every penny though,

especially when it made all four of them so happy. 

Hair, Heat and Quilting

I’ve tried, off and on, to talk Jac into cutting her hair for over a year. It’s pretty fine, snarls easily, and was too long for her to manage herself. 

When we were done washing it today, as I started trying to get the tangles out, I asked her again if she wanted it shorter. And she said “yes”! (Are you sure? Really sure? Positively sure?? Yes, yes and yes!) It’s ridiculously cute and she loves it. Still haven’t heard what her mom thinks of it . . .

The boys and Mary went to a food festival in Thousand Oaks on Saturday. I’d taken a look at the predicted temperature (93°!) and said no, thank you. They lasted less than an hour before the heat got to them but at least they got a cute pic! (And $16 lemonade . . .)

Now that the genealogy book is done, and my shoulder is as good as it’s going to get for awhile, I broke out the finished flower blocks-of-the-month and printed the paper pieces for the next two I want to do. May not get any actual sewing done before we leave for Alaska (7 days!!) but I’ll be ready to go when we get back. 

Wildlife Cruise

On Monday Breanne drove up from Culver City and we took her and the little girls on a wildlife cruise from Oxnard harbor out to the Channel Islands.

It was Jac’s first time on the ocean, so we weren’t sure how she’d do seasick-wise. She was ok for the first half hour or so, then she curled into a ball and went to sleep. 

Poor tiny girl. She missed the “nursery pod” of Common Dolphins - so many tiny babies!! - 

and slept until we were cruising along the islands, where the water was calmer. 

But once she woke up she was fine! She bounced around on deck with Pop for awhile, then came back inside with me and (seasick) Breanne for the rest of the journey. Leanne spent the entire trip on the upper deck, having a great time and a great view.

Even though she was sick the whole time, Breanne says she wants to go again, and probably bring her oldest, Travis, with her. Happy birthday, Breanne!

Catching Up

The genealogy book is done - for real this time. I said it was finished on Sunday too, but then I added 2 more pages today. Final page count is 62 - just a few more than I thought there’d be. Hope the printing goes well tomorrow.

Bought Jac and Donovan matching shirts. ($2 each on sale at Old Navy Outlet.) 

So dang cute.  

One of my sisters had a heart attack on Friday and passed away Sunday in Oregon. She was 65. The only positive is that all her kids and grandkids had an opportunity to say goodbye before she passed. I’m so grateful for that. 

Donovan came over last night to bring me flowers and my favorite cake because he knew I was sad. And then asked if he could spend the night cause he loved me. 

He’s just about the sweetest kid ever. And his parents are pretty nice too. 

Daily Jackie

 Took Jac with me when I went to buy shoes*. 

“Grandma, take a picture of those shoes. I’m going to make them when we get home.” That’s my girl! (These aren’t the one I bought . . .)

* New shoes and new purse - it must be (almost) vacation time! Counting down T-18 . . . 

Shark Tales

 Today’s summer fun . . .

“Look Grandma, I caught a shark!”

Sneaking up on a lizard. (Spoiler - the lizard heard them coming.)

The new tiny chairs for tiny people are a huge hit. 

Best Pop

Pop made a dirt pit in the backyard for Jac and Donovan and Jac is beside herself with excitement. (Still needs a bit more fill . . .)

He also bricked (re-bricked) where the too-tall tree used to be so I’ll have a nice area to sit and watch them play. And watch the lizards try to run them off. Can’t wait to see that contest! 

And he took the girls to the beach, just because they wanted to go. And didn’t make me go (I’m not a beach fan.) Definitely a top contender for Best Pop Ever. 

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