July 25, 2008

• Pictures Galore Friday

  Jesse took off work yesterday and we got to spend some time with our “dad” which was wonderful.  We didn’t really DO anything exciting.  The fact he was home was exciting enough.  The girls played in the pool in the morning and he got in with them!  No pictures of THAT!  We DID go to the bank to make his deposit and then up the street to the post office to check our mail box.  While there, I paid our post office box fee for the next year.  We had hoped to go to a Farmer’s Market at the Children’s Home Hospital (Jesse knew about this – I didn’t) but we were there at 2pm and they didn’t open until 3:30pm.  I guess they catch people on their way home from work.  The money must go to the Children’s Home which cares for lots of children who are dismissed from the hospital but require too much care to be kept at home.  A good cause.

  THEN WE WENT TO WAL-MART!!!!!!!!!!  LOL

  We spent a lot more than I had intended – because Jesse was with me.  I always thought I was a bit on the spending extreme side, but we came home with lots of canned lemonade (4 cases of drinks), movie-size boxes of maybe 10 different kinds of candies . . . the list went on forever!  And the bill was through the roof at the check out stand.  He peeled off two $100 bills and I wrote a check for the rest.  Let’s just say we have a large bottle of olive oil, 2 boxes of strawberries, a package of frozen chicken breasts, and 4 cookies from the bakery that I can remember buying.  I’m not sure where the rest of the money went!!!!

  It was blazing hot and we were glad to get home.  I transferred some pictures from my camera to upload today and found Rissy had been “at it” again.  She’s actually getting pretty good and photography might be a hobby of interest to her.  I’m also thinking an inexpensive digital camera might be an idea for a future gift!

  First up, the girls and I received new dresses in the mail from our seamstress friend Tina.  Annamarie didn’t wear one of her dresses yesterday, but I took her picture anyway.

  Annamarie and Luci, who is in a dainty white with small pink flowers dress.
  

  And, Rissy in a blue and white checked dress.  See her new white watch she bought last week?  She’s proud.
  

  After we filled the pool on Tuesday, it seemed like there was a slow leak because of a huge puddle on the patio.  I wasn’t sure if it was leftover from filling the pool or an actual leak.
  

  It didn’t stop the girls from playing and splashing and they had a great time.  Below is the remnants of the day  wet beach towels drying in the sun!
  

  After they came inside to get dressed, I went out to inspect the water level and found the pool listing to one side like the Titanic!  There is actually a “deep end” and a “shallow end” to this childrens 8 foot circumference and 18″ deep pool!!!!!!
  

  Their playing for hours gave me the chance to catch up on things around the house.  I wrapped JanaLyn’s b-day gifts, washed all of the towels in the house, and washed the dishes that wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher.  My, once again, messy bar!
  

  
  I made a pasta salad for dinner and cut some watermelon early yesterday morning and then cleaned the kitchen.  By the time dinner was over (Jesse made steaks OUTSIDE on his newly assembled Father’s Day grill),  it looked like a bomb had gone off in my kitchen.  I commented, “I don’t think I’ll ever have a clean kitchen!”  and Jesse said, from the den, “Not as long as you have a family and expect them to eat!”

  Despite the pool that listed to one side and the 100 degree temps, the girls were happy to have a pool set up!
  Here are my three little mermaids after drying off and getting dressed in play dresses.
  

  Early, yesterday morning, I went out to inspect the suspected leak and found we did, indeed, have one.  But, it is small and slow enough that it shouldn’t hinder fun for the rest of the summer.
  

  While perusing through my camera’s pictures, I found many that Rissy took.  I thought two were particularly good.  I’ll save those two for last.

  RISSY’S PICS:

  Poor Chirper, he’s just so cute that no one can leave him alone.  I’ll say this much, he is no longer a needy cat for affection and attention.  Remember when I got him how he wouldn’t stop rubbing and climbing on us wanting our hugs and kisses?  He’s all big now and a boy that is VERY much too big for lovin’s!!!  But the girls captured him, anyway!
  

  I thought these next two were cute.  Rissy caught him “play fighting” with Stormy and then stretched out taking a rest on Rissy’s blanket after they (the 2 cats) wore themselves out tumbling and chasing each other.
  

  She also caught me at my desk, after I had experienced heat exhaustion while shopping yesterday.
  

  And, these are the last two photos she took that I thought were particularly good – especially for a 7yo!

  Stormy on the window sill.
  

  And, my lemonade candle from Bath and Body Works.  Doesn’t it look like a star is lit?
  

  Today is our standing Friday afternoon appointment with the girls’ therapist.  She agreed to talk with Rissy a bit today.  Rissy is frustrated with herself because there are SOME things she can’t do.  She is a perfectionist and an over achiever – just like me (and,just like our therapist).  I talked to her about not everyone is good at the same things, but she didn’t listen to me.  She’s upset (right now) that she doesn’t appear to have any talents in the area of art.  She can’t build blocks like Annamarie and she can’t draw pictures like JanaLyn.  I tried to remind her of all the things she does well and the things she does that are amazing for a 7yo to be doing, but my words fell on deaf ears.  I figured the same words coming from an “outsider” might comfort her.  She is one of those rare children where almost everything comes easily to her.  Since she taught herself to read, she is virtually homeschooling herself.  I am constantly amazed at her tenacity with her school work.  She told me for 2 days she really needed to speak to me – alone.  When I gave her the time to talk with me one night, she cried and spilled her frustrations out.  I’m hoping Julie will help when Rissy talks with her today.  Rissy puts a huge amount of pressure on herself, with no prompting from Jesse or me.  It’s that type of drive that the pediatrician said helped her live and not die as an infant.  She’s a very determined little girl and it’s a job to channel that determination in the right direction.

  Stephanie called last night and said she and JanaLyn would like to spend the night, tonight, and then open up JanaLyn’s gifts Saturday morning and have a nice breakfast.  She has to go to work on Saturday from 2:30 – 5:30 and I’ll watch JanaLyn.  After work, she’ll pick her up and take JanaLyn to her (Stephanie’s) Dad’s house (near our house) for a birthday celebration.  So, I guess, no birthday cake here this year.  I’m fine with not having a mess to clean up!

  Can’t think of much more to share – so have a blessed week-end if I don’t “see” you again until Monday!

  • 9:48 am
  • 5 Comments