HAPPY FATHER'S DAY (Outtakes!)

Photo shoots are tricky these days...



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO DAD'S AND GRANDPA'S EVERYWHERE! ESPECIALLY OURS!

Haircut Day

Before:


After:

Today's Photo Text: Fun at the Pool

Julia and Andrew met up with Iris and Violet at the pool today. Here's the picture of them that Wendy texted me during the day. They're hanging out by the pool's fence. Summer fun!

Photo Texting

Wendy and I have a new way to communicate about what's happening with the kids during the day while I am at work: Photo texting! While the kids were at the park this morning for a playdate with Sawyer, Cooper and Auden, Wendy snapped a photo with her phone and texted the photo to me. It made my day to see this pop up on my phone while in the middle of a boring meeting at work. I'm loving technology today!

Braids!

In the remodeling home stretch.

Knobs and pulls, fireplace surround, and lights & switches. That's what's left to go, which means we're in the home stretch. The painters finished up last week and we couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. The trim and cabinets are a soft white ("Monterey White" from Benjamin Moore), and the walls are a nice neutral shade of "Monroe Bisque".

We love our contractor, and architect too. While no remodel is stress free, this one has been relatively easy on us, especially since this room can be so easily walled off from the rest of the house. Nevertheless, we are anxious to have it done and move in!

Kindergarten is over. Already???

"Julia, you could probably run this class." So said Ms. Merk as she handed Julia her certificate of Kindergarten completion and her memory book. "And I appreciate all your help" she added as she hugged Julia amid laugher from the assembled crowd. It was such a cute moment.

Jeff and I weren't surprised. And no doubt Ms. Merk is right. That girl's got something special, and everybody who gets to know Julia can see it. I'm bursting with pride about our little baby who's all grown up.


After class Julia and her friend Mason, who is moving to Pleasanton (so sad!) shared an extra big hug. So cute.

Every year the kids gather to say farewell to the departing 5th graders in the annual "clap out". Here's Julia at the fence awaiting this clapping tradition.

Julia's good friend Grace Ann hosted a pool party for all the girls in the class immediately after school. Here they are getting a quick talk on pool safety before diving in. Benne met us at the party and stayed with Julia all afternoon.

Strike a pose

Silly posing by my team at our work offsite meeting yesterday.

I am very lucky to work with such a smart and fun group of people.

Marital harmony resored: The Shed is Complete

I won't go into the gory details of what it took to get this shed put together... lets just focus on the happy outcome: Have you ever seen a more gorgeous garden shed in your life? I don't think so. I'm thrilled with this darling new addition to the garden.


Here's a glamor shot close-up of the shed's adorable details.


Ah, the bliss.

Strawberry Shortcake

After polishing off what was on his plate, he proceeded to climb onto the counter in pursuit of the bowl of leftover whipping cream. Both the bowl and the boy came crashing down onto the floor a moment later. After a momentary pause (during which I was sure he'd broken a bone), he popped up grinning ear to ear, saying "I ate some on the way down!"

Sleepover with Jane

Julia had a guest on Saturday night. It was a busy night. Fava beans were shucked, the climbing dome was summitted, the tricycle was tested, the Meow Meow game was played, the Blendy Pens were used, Cinderella was watched, and the cat was pet. Fun night for all, and they even got a little sleep.

Rare sighting: Grandpa on a bike!

Lion King Weekend

Thanks, Nana and Grumps, for taking us to the Lion King and for treating us to a special weekend! We had a great time. Highlights were the Lion King, of course, seeing Brad, Kim, Kira and Gwen, and looking for the soccer ball way up in the tree. :)

Wendy and the kids in the garden

Here is our very favorite person in the world, WENDY! With the kids, in the back yard.