Bounce U

We got invited to a birthday party at Bounce U, an indoor house of bounce. Henry was a little little, but it was still a fun Saturday afternoon excursion. Plus I got to hang out with some of my favorite 3 year olds.

Good-bye Friends

So, today I said good-bye to my three-year-olds. Mixed feelings. Mainly sad feelings. I passed a parent in the hallway, who started to come my way, but remembered his daughter had moved to the other side of the hall. When he came out of the other classroom his head was down and I said, "I am sad." He kinda looked up and I said, "Are you sad?" Then he looked up with big red eyes and nodded and quickly left. I knew they would love their new class, but I just worried about them being sad. It is not like school-school where they have all summer. Yesterday they were with me and today they went to another room. I wanted to sneak in their room and hug them all, but I decided to give them a couple of days.

My new class is so sweet. They are learning to pull up their pants IN the bathroom, recognize their own name and use the BIG slide on the BIG playground. We were really proud today, because all the kids fell asleep WITHOUT their backs being rubbed--AMAZING FEAT! I am so excited to teach them new songs and see them grow.

Still there is a little ache for my old kids, even the ones that mad me want to pull out my hair.

Newly Married Connor

So my third and finally installation in my loves who had Summer Weddings is Connor Musick. Connor is the epitome of humble confidence. He oozes calmness and his spirit is winsome. He loved his friends no matter how goofy they got. Genuine. There is not a pretentious bone in his body. He showed up...when showing up probably wasn't always cool. He played the guitar at club, which is not really the most glamorous gig, especially when I was leading songs. I wanted to wrap him up in a box and save him for my daughter, which I don't have, but still. He would get out of his chair if a girl was standing. Just a great person and I am sure he will be a freakin' amazing husband and dad. Anyway here are some pictures that totally capture Connor.









Oh how we wish we could have been there yesterday for your day. We thought of you all day Connor and your sweet bride...so glad we got to meet the new addition to the Musick clan! We love you and your family!

The Wheels on the Bus

As we get to the end of summer, I think we are to the half-way point of the really hot heat. And I am so happy about that.  Unfortunately, the end of July also signifies the end of Grammy daycare.  How lucky are we that Henry's Grammy is a teacher and WANTS to be with her grandsons every minute she is not teaching.  Let me tell you, it is a noisy and rough and tumble summer for my mom.  Henry is very attached to his Grammy.  Everyday when we leave, he begs Grammy to come with us, "tum on Drammy, tum on," and then cries in the car when he realizes she is not coming.  

So, today, Henry went back to school.  Just a half day, but he (and Ryan) missed breakfast with Grammy.  She came and picked him up at 10:15am.  We love our preschool and especially Miss Kim, but we are not ready to be away from Grammy.

Thankfully, Henry was super excited to be with his friends. 

He practically pushed us over to get to the door.

Here I am everybody!

A bus and a friend to play peek-a-boo

Thank you Grammy for giving the boys a summer together...we love you so much!

Million Dollar Baseball Cards

When someone says, "Baseball Cards," I think of all the boxes in our garage and in the closet that NEVER get any attention.  After hearing of all the other guys that have a thing with their childhood baseball cards, I stopped giving Ryan such a hard time...kinda.

The suspense was KILLING me

So after Jacob, our Feather Cloud Family's son and Henry's BFF, got into the Yankee Stadium Collectors Card Set Blah Blah Blah, Jodi & I convinced the guys to open the cards.  I think Dean mainly did it because I promised him a blog.  None the less, Ryan and Dean had a gay ole time discovering the "treasures" in the baseball card blah blah blah.  Probably will be worth a gajillion dollars someday, right guys?

Grandma Vi

She told me, "I'm ready to see Dad (my Grandad who died about 10 years ago)."  I said, "Oh Grandma, but we are not ready for that."  She said, "I know."  Her soul was ready and her body reluctantly followed suit.  It seems like for most people it is the other way around--there bodies go and their soul follows.  I really was not ready yet to give up another grandma this year.  I was not ready to say good-bye to traditions that she was the center of in our family.  I was not ready to see my dad grieve, not only for her, but I am guessing re-grieving my Grandad.  I was not ready to not be able to walk through their jungle (as my sister Sharon used to call it) of a backyard again.  But here I am holding on to memories and thinking of her getting to finally be with my Grandad.  I do not know if that is how it works, I hope it does. 

Violet, you lived a full life and I will miss your sassiness and undying love for us!

we'll cross that bridge when we get there

I love this bridge, I always have.  It used to house train tracks.  Recently, Salem added it to the repertoire of beautiful places to take a walk.  It jets out over the Willamette River from West Salem to Downtown.  So stinking amazing!

Okay, so I am, at times, a super nervous mom.  Throw a bridge with a gap where a small child could fall to his death and my feet sweat.  Luckily, Jodi is super calm, so it helped me a little, but I still held on to Henry for dear life. 

I cannot wait to walk it again...without Henry so I can enjoy it even more.

I was taking the next two pictures as we left thinking, I wish that lady wasn't in the way.  Then I thought, oh that looks like the dress Jenny Hill wore today...

Oh, that is Jenny Hill..isn't she beautiful

Oh, Salem I miss you already