My 6 Favorite San Francisco Pictures

Ack...what a week

This week has been incredibly busy. I'm still dealing with my health issue so there was that and work. But there is always health, money and work so I guess that shouldn't be a suprise.



There was Jon's birthday dinner with family (and George) at Red Robin on Wednesday night. Followed by a WHOLE day off to just sit around the house with my family and enjoy not having to work for a good reason.

Then there was was Friday night when we dropped Laylabug off at Nannie's house and we went to dinner at the Outback (JUST THE TWO OF US!!). Layla really didn't care that we were leaving because it's normal for her to spend a day with Nannie at Nannie's house but boy was she ready for us to come home the next day. She apparently cried when we weren't home by the time she got up from her nap the next day.

Jon suddenly remembered he had a conference call from work at 6 so we ended the alone time by being on a conference call. Later we went out with George and Devon for a few drinks and then came back here to play munchkin which was awesome. She's a cool person. Jon and I enjoyed being adults and being able to loud in our own home. (No pictures of that sorry but here is Jon on a conference call at his birthday dinner)

Then Saturday morning we got up and headed to San Francisco to spend the day together. We ate at Bubba Gumps which had a lovely view of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge all from where we sat eating WAY TOO MUCH SHRIMP. We bought Layla the world's cutest hat (and a few other small things) and then headed home (with a small stop at the Old Navy because I've been packing around a $50 gift card since March and I DESPERATELY needed new clothing. It was time-turns out there was also a HUGE sale...love it).

Then we came home and there was hugging, and crying when Daddy went upstairs and we couldn't find him, and not letting Mommy out of our site for awhile. We had a birthday cupcake because Layla hadn't had one yet. After awhile she calmed down and we cuddled in bed and she drove us crazy and everything was back to normal by 7 when I put her to bed because she was EXHAUSTED from staying up late at Nannie's house.


And then I watched Supernatural with Jon for awhile and blogged this summary blog and wrote a check for a loan payment I needed to make while the pictures loaded and I'm sure there will be more pictures and stories from this week later when I have time... but this should hold you over for awhile.

Bedtime Stories

The new tradition at our house at bedtime is "story time". I remember my mom and dad wrapping me up in a warm bed or sitting with me in front of a fire place in the winter and reading me books before bed. It was definitely a tradition I knew I'd share with Layla. It took her until just recently to have the patience to sit through an entire story. Now we have the opposite problem and she wants you to keep reading forever.

So now at night she picks a book and I grab Goodnight Moon and then we read the book she picked and Goodnight Moon and we do kisses and get into our "night night spot" tucked between our pillows and I turn out the light and tell her I love her and I leave her there with the book she picked to turn pages and imagine until she falls asleep.

And I savor each moment, because I know someday soon she'll want to read to me. And then will come the day that she just wants to read by herself. And then the day I don't have to tuck her in at all because she's in her room reading, or talking on the phone, or being a teenager in secret. But, I'll always remember these stories...and so will she.

August Belated Birthdays

August sort of got away from me this year and I missed several birthday posts. So I decided to combine them all into one birthday post. I like the idea so much I might do it again next month if September ends up being half as busy as August was.

My god-son's birthday was August 19th and he had a skateboard party from what I hear. He's rockin' so the fact that he wanted a skateboard party like a cool big kid doesn't suprise me at all. He's also brilliant...he can read, write and talk better than ALL the other kids I know his age. I know a lot of kids his age so that's saying something. He has a profound love of artwork which is directly related to the gift I sent him for his birthday which hopefully he's already recieved and started making projects with. Happy Birthday Pheno...we love you!!

Nana Shu-shu, otherwise known as our step-mother-in-law Susan (see Nana Shu Shu is easier to say isn't it?) was also a birthday gal this month. We love Susan for many reasons...she's funny, she's kind and she makes a mean margarita while the kids run around the back yard working up the yappy dog. Although I have a lot of pictures of her that I could choose from I picked this one from Layla's birthday last year because I think it reflects her personality well. She's very laid back and willing to watch the kids be kids. I like that about her, I often wonder if it's because she works with kids or just because she was blessed with it...anyhow... Happy Birthday Shu Shu!

This is my neice Faith. She's 2. She has always been very very funny. At least I think so. She makes me laugh with her facial expressions. Her Mommy put this up on her blog and I IMMEDIATELY stole it. It's my favorite. She looks like she knows something we don't know doesn't she? Well she can keep her secret...as long as she knows how much Uncle Jon, Aunt Allie and Cousin Layla miss her and love her. Happy Birthday new big sister Faith!

THEN there were the TWO new babies...Miss Mia (whom I've already posted about) and Miss Kylie who was born yesterday on Jon's birthday (I haven't met her yet but I will soon and when I do I'll post pictures). Those will add to the August birthdays next year.

Happy Birthday or BIRTH day whichever applies you guys...we love you!

Birthday boy

It's Jon's birthday. Last night we met family at the local burger joint and munched on fries and watched babies play while everyone celebrated his entrance into being 29. When they brought his ice cream and sang he danced head bobbing left to right because "why not". Plus no one had a camera out so it was safe. Safe to be yourself... that's so like Jon.

Jon is usually more patient and more forgiving then me by leaps and bounds. He loves people well. He is the council of every friend in crisis he's ever had. He makes people feel safe to be themselves.

He is also an AMAZING father. It is in his nature to just stand back a little and let Layla experiment with life. She runs a little more free with Jon and it's made her confident and independent, two skills every daddy should be blessed to give their daughters. He's also the bad cop at our house when needed because I am a huge push over for tears.

Since marrying Jon we've encountered every possible obstacle and yet when I look at him I still feel calm and he has become a home for me to retreat to. I love him more now than I did the day I married him. A new kind of love, one forged by life's tests and decorated by small victories. A stronger love.

**and yes I am reposting this picture because it's still my favorite**

Wait list

I wait for Autumn, my favorite season. I put on hold a passionate desire for pumpkin spice bread and caramel apples. I crave scented candles that glow warm and smell sweet and cool mornings damp with fog.

And I wait for turkey with the family and the gentle tumble into a winter filled with twinkle lights and glitter wrapped presents under the tree.

I am not patient. Time says keep waiting. I have no choice. So I wait.

Life reflected

It's my daughter snorting when she laughs and the heavy weight of her melting into me when it's time for bedtime stories. It's the sound of Jon fast asleep beside me in bed and the way his eyes sparkle when he is feeling competitive. It's my favorite pajamas that are worn thin with time and their once bright blue and yellow flowers now pale from being worn through every possible type of night. It's the feel of a good quilt and the burn of the first drink of Pepsi from a glass overflowing with ice. It's when friends come for dinner and when family visits, or when strangers become something more. It's backgammon games and card games that errupt into laughter. It's the journey not the destination. It's road trips that went well and the ones that went so badly they are now funny stories I tell. It is love unconditional and forgiveness given freely. It's time and words shared without excuses. It's holiday traditions and books with yellowed pages. It's recipes shared, dishes tried and kitchen failures that taught us just as much as our successes. It's pictures that tell a story and stories that paint a picture. It's a life. It's my life... and the things that make me happy in it, at least some of them.

I imagined a world, and you were in it.

This is just one of the many awesome pictures in the string of awesome pictures I want to post to Layla's site...

the time...

oh where has it gone?

A week...in glimpses

This week has completely gotten away from me and while I had hoped to post a couple really good and meaningful posts it turns out that I have just never gotten that far along. I still have AWESOME pictures of Layla to post on her site, maybe Friday? Here is a look at some of the things keeping me busy and some other important news.
This is my God son Pheonix, he turned 3 today (the picture is old but I didn't have time to hunt down one from his last trip here so that will have to wait until another day this week when I have time to write him a real happy birthday post).

This is me Monday being held hostage...err...I mean bonding with my daughter. Jon's car has been acting up so he was taking turns being inside, and outside, and then upstairs on the computer so we entertained ourselves with a movie...turns out I am more comfortable than laying on the floor.

Then we went yesterday after dinner but before bedtime we went to Pop's house to visit my mom and so Layla could get a present from Nana Lorrie. We also played in the sprinklers and the mud for awhile before I sprayed her off and took her home (pictures coming later on her site).

Then today Miss Mia was finally born to her Mama (Jen) and I had to go visit them after she was born. I mean had to...there might have been a gun to my head or something <are they falling for it?> Anyhow I went to see her and she is ADORABLE, probably one of the top 3 prettiest babies I've ever seen.

By the way, this picture is a mere 3 hours after Jen gave birth...look how attractive and wonderful she looks. I know. I hate her too. But I love her more...so I forgive her.

Then I came home and I looked at all the posts I have in queue to write and the photos I need to upload to Layla's site and the other things on the list that just aren't getting done...and I decided they can all wait for me to get to them...

Monday

Where are my glasses? Has anyone seen my car keys? Did I just step on a cracker from yesterday...shit.

Oh my the timeclock at work isn't working...

And then my husband borrowed the car right before lunch...

I barely got off on time and I made the house too hot while I made Spaghetti for dinner...

And then it was dark out, and blogs were posted, and emails written, and it was time to watch TV with the husband...

And it was a good day... a very normal day...

and I only slept two hours last night...

So now it's over.

Piled Up

In my bedroom there is a pile of clean laundry overflowing that has never been put away and a pile of bedding that just needs to be put on a bed. In the bathroom there is the pile of bath toys and the pile of crap in the drawer on my side that never gets put away correctly. Layla's room houses two closets piled with things that need to be properly sorted and put away along with the normal piles of toys and stuffed animals and books that are in every toddler room. The living room houses piles of toys, newspapers just read, DVD's never put away, bedding to be tucked away upstairs and shoes that have no home. The kitchen as always has piles on the counter and piles in the sink and even the table houses piles of things that have no home.

I live in a pile.

I used to have the cleanest house in town and then I had a toddler, and a full time job and everyone had a baby at once and it's always someone's birthday and the next thing I know on my day off all I really want to do is sit on my arse and watch some brainless movie and read a book and eat junk food...

And it piles up around me and I think...next day off I'll take care of it... but I never do.

So today I'm tackling one pile at a time and seeing how far I get. Three piles in I am ready wishing for naptime and trying to talk myself into keeping going.

I don't want to be one of those people. You know the people with the gross house...

But really...this is gross.

So many topics

I have no less than 6 blogs that I can name off the top of my head that I have yet to blog about. Despite a wealth of topics I seem to keep getting tripped up by everyday life.

Yesterday laylabug and I both had the stomach flu. It was awful and despite not having sick time at work to spare, I ended up coming home early yesterday and calling in sick today.

Lucky for Erin that means she got a day off while at 6 am I cleaned up a blow out diaper. We've watched a couple movies and read a few books but mostly laylabug is tempermental and I am tired.

Jon, bless his heart, has an iron stomach so he's at work... Probably tired but not sick which is more than I can say for laylabug and I. No vomit since 1 am though so maybe it will be a better afternoon than morning and I'll be able to blog about something more entertaining.

Pisser

Today everyone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. When my alarm went off at 5 A.M., I had an overwhelming urge to hit the snooze button, not once but twice. Just as I was crawling into the laundry pile to attempt to find something to wear to work the baby woke up screaming in the next room.

So I stumbled to the hall light and made an attempt to put her back to bed, which I do most mornings without so much as a sleepy nod in my direction. Instead, there was crying and clinging and gnashing of teeth. Ten minutes of that, added to the ten minutes of snooze button time, I relented and took her to the Daddy who was trying to sleep and handed her off…still sobbing… so I could take a shower. 

I got out of the shower in a brisk 5 minutes to find the baby playing in the hallway. Still tear streaked. Daddy was trying to sleep so I tried again to put her back to bed. No dice.

She ended up getting up and forcing Daddy to get up as well because Mommy only had 5 minutes to find her shoes and throw on a thin layer of make-up before work. 

Of course Daddy's don't just get up at 5:30 in the morning. They throw mini-temper tantrums, similar to the one I wanted to have this morning in the shower but avoided, because I'm not a Daddy.

And the bad week that has been lingering was in full force by the time I left for work 5 minutes later. I arrived at work wishing I had a sick day I could actually use, or at least a stiff drink and a Xanax but instead found my desk piled high with paperwork to process and dishes left over from yesterday's potluck. Lucky me. 

Today is going to suck. 

It's been such a long week. Monday there was financial worries and insurance changes at Jon's work to trudge through. Tuesday the fabulous Miss Erin got her new school schedule which for a few minutes there left us totally screwed until thankfully I realized my Mom is off work for 3 months and she can supplement…because there is no way we can afford day care prices in the Central Valley right now. 

Then just when I thought Wednesday would be better. I got not 1 but TWO lovely temper-tantrums in my morning routine and a drama filled text on my first break.

 Is it Saturday yet?

Today

Today was hot, stressful and altogether not fun. So I am going to go read a book.

Look it's a two sentence blog.

Parenting Fact #156

No matter how many times you wash your kid after breakfast, you will ALWAYS find a sticky spot of syrup on their face later when you take their picture.

Yahoo a New Baby!!

Melissa had her new baby so hop on over to her blog and make sure to share her some comment love!

Brooke was born on Saturday and for a Jeffery baby she is a very small 8 lbs but that's probably because she made an early arrival. She's adorable. This is the first picture I saw of her and it's my favorite so I went to Mel's blog and stole it to post it here.

Yay Babies!!

Independent

May you climb the highest jungle gyms and never worry enough to call. May you jump from things that skip my heartbeat and never blink at all. May you swing so high you think you'll fly and run so fast you soar. May you laugh and dance and clap and stomp and roar. May you always find another slide to dare yourself to try. May you cross the bridges and storm the castle even if the walls are high. May you roll in the grass and count the clouds overhead. May you imagine the world a better place like the one in the storybooks before bed. May you tumble into leaves and wish on stars. May you pretend the laundry basket is a winning while racing cars. And while you are out on adventures having your fun, keep this in mind my tiny one. No matter how independent you think you should be called, I'll be here to catch you, should ever you fall.

I am appreciative for what I have but...

Yesterday's baby shower overflowed my emotional bucket. I got cut off on the way home in the car and my cursing quickly evolved to crying. I ended up pulling over my car and having a good bawl out on the side of a country road.

It's hard work trying to get pregnant. It's a spiritual journey filled with small triumphs and little victories. I made it through a whole shower without crying. I didn't snap when the sweet scent of new baby washed over from the cute little one near me. I wasn't jealous of her big baby belly and her gift bags of tiny little clothes. Chalk one up for the good side.

But it isn't always obvious to me anymore when the infertility melt down is going collapse around me.

But somewhere on the way home it hit me that I am so very not pregnant. That I will probably continue to be very not pregnant for a very long time. And as proud, and happy as I am for Jen... I spent a little time on the side of the road allowing myself to feel sorry for myself.

My pity party was 9 minutes long. Then I stayed a little weepy for the next 10 miles. By the time I got home I had resolved myself to official no more tears status.

It's hard work being pathetic...very hard work.

And she's so beautiful with her big baby belly and her soon to be mom glow. There is not a doubt in my mind that witnessing Miss Mia's birth (just like any birth) will be a life changing and beautiful experience and I can't wait to share in it.

And then I'll come home and invest in little pee stick tests and wait until it's my turn like a good girl... I promise.

Dear Miss Mia...

I usually resolve myself to only writing letters to my child on my blog but the thing is... I'm very attached to you already. This is a picture of me and your Mommy at your baby shower today. I was honored to help throw the party that celebrates your arrival, because I can't wait to meet you.

Your mommy is all washed over with anxiety right now, that's normal for someone who's about to have a baby. She's worried that she'll struggle with being a new mommy and that you'll suffer because of it. But, I know that if she's already worried about it, then it will all be just fine.

See...the truth is... being a Mommy is hard work but it's also just a part of who someone is. And your mommy, she's already worried about raising you up right...which is the most fundamentally important thing about being a Mommy. You just have to love someone enough to care to do the right thing for them, and that she already does triple fold and then some.

She's going to be a great Mommy. She's so much fun and so full of life. She's funny and she's willing to make those stupid faces to make other people's kids laugh so you're in for a real treat. She's also very honest which as far as parents go can be pretty rare so you remember that later when she's being honest with you. Some parents don't treat their kids like people and she already thinks of you as a tiny little person and you're not even here yet.

Today I told your Mommy that I never write in cards at baby showers because they make people cry and people are already there taking pictures. But if I had written in her card I would have told her a few of the things I've learned since I've become a Mommy.

I would tell her...

It doesn't matter what you do wrong, as long as you remember that no mistake is too big that you can't make it right. It doesn't matter how many people in the village are helping to raise your child, only your opinion matters so follow your gut. Ask for help if you need it and turn help away if it isn't helping you. Teach your daughter to be as independent, brilliant and full of zest for life. And remember above all things... love is always more important than anything else we give to our children.

Oh... and if all else fails... go for a drive in the car.

Lastly, Little Miss Mia, I'd like you to know that I love you and your Mommy very very much but that neither she nor I are patient so you better hurry up and make your grand entrance soon...

Because if I teach you only one thing in life... I think your Mommy would appreciate it if it was... "if Mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy".

Egads!

I hate it when other people don't update their blogs and I spend all this time and energy clicking the link with my finger and then being forced to scroll all the way up and hit the back button because they haven't posted a damn thing since the last time I looked. And now... I'm one of those people.

I think it's been like 4 days since my last blog, which I truly apologize for...but goodness gracious it's been awfully busy with long periods of lull in the middle.

We had an awesome surprise visit from Jon's cousin from down south. She brought a boy and all 3 of her kids and it was great to watch the kids all play at the park. Little kids are darn entertaining. I also spent a good chunk of yesterday and today prepping for Jen's baby shower which resulted in 2 nights of feeding the baby/husband random crap for dinner and a nice batch of 30 party favors. I'd tell you what they are but Courtney is very touchy about people ruining her surprises.

Being as the shower was moved to Jen's friends house I need to figure out if I have to bring extra stuff, you know big stuff, like tables. That will consume part of my time after work tomorrow and Saturday is the actual shower.

After which I can pretend to be planning Jon's birthday bash while secretly spending a lot more time on Layla's birthday which is a month farther out. I mean I guess it's not a secret being as he does read my blog and has ever since I had that old blog where I used to talk about my dates with him because I didn't know he was reading, which later resulted in my getting a people tracker/site meter for my website which I should really thank him for some time.

Oh my god, I'm such a hamster. I just stopped mid blog because I noticed a target add laying on the desk next to me with shiny princess shoes in it for $9.99. Where was I?

Oh right... Layla's birthday. I still need to book the park, but I'm pretty sure we're going to the park, having some sandwiches and cake and enjoying the Disney Princess/Fairy wonder that has swept Layla off her feet.

For her present from Mommy & Daddy we'll be going to Disneyland in October. Best gift ever? Yea, we try to give her gifts we'll like just as much as she will. And Disneyland doesn't require batteries or play the same songs over and over for 5 months after the special day...so it was top of the list. If I ever find the person who invented the Sesame Street Steering Wheel that says "beep beep coming through" I'm going to hide Clomid in the Chex Mix so they have Octoplets and then put one in every room of their house. It's a small world being stuck in my head will be a welcomed treasure compaired to that horror.

Also in the J Family News this week... Layla learned a few things at the fair. Suddenly she talks all the time and in baby sentences that Mommy understands more than Daddy. She's really taken charge on leading you to something and showing it to you if you don't know the lingo though so he's still doing ok. And now she sucks face with Giraffes. No seriously. People need to keep a handle on their teenagers at public events. That's all I'm going to say on that soap box. But, Layla has mastered the full facial assault and try as I may I happened to laugh the first time so then she repeated it for Erin a few times.

Oh well. At least they didn't teach her to snort coke and dance on the coffee table naked.

Checked off

So this week, strike that, this month is a very busy one. There are birthdays and baby showers and trips to the fair to juggle with work schedules and adult responsibilities.

So am I entirely surprised when the family that we never see is coming for a visit and we're going to dinner? Nope. Am I shocked that every time I lay down for a nap the phone rings? Not anymore.

There are a lot of to do lists flying around this month and sometimes I need to check myself off of someone else's. And sometimes it's all heart felt and exciting and loving. And sometimes your just another task to be accomplished. Do I care which 1 I am? I try not to.

It's going to be a long and stressful end of summer if I don't keep myself calm.

Biting my tongue. Check. Tongue in cheek. Check. Tongue kept in check. Check... Err ... We'll see.

Recovery Day

I like it when the day after big events we all have a day off. Today the baby didn't get up until 8 and then we had pancakes while Jon got to catch up on sleep (he opened a lot this week). I read the sales ads, the baby pretended to read a big Disney storybook outloud, there was dancing to Hairspray and there was the discovery that there is only 1 Pepsi left. Mom called for a visit and I started washing bed linens.

Speaking of which- Did I mention we got a new bed this week? We did. It's not NEW. It's just new to us. It's a king size bed that my cousin JB no longer needed. It was being evicted from Pop's house so my mom could move in her giant princess feather bed *don't laugh I'm not kidding* so we moved it here.

So now we have a CAL KING. Jon is tall, I am wide...this is a good thing. Dad loaned us a truck and Mom bought us a feather bed topper. Layla got our old bed with a nice mattress topper. We gave her old bed to Erin who moved it herself (thanks Erin) and we have a mattress to return to Eric and Jenette that we had borrowed (in an attempt to make Layla's bed the right height back when it was our bed and she had a crib before the last round of musical beds).

Now everyone here has jersey sheets and too many pillows and the next thing I know we're suddenly sleeping in until 8. Which means our nap time moved back. Which means we go to bed AFTER 7 pm...which means dinner time can move back...it was like dominos but more entertaining because it was my life.

Where was I?

So we went downstairs and I wondered why I keep dreaming about Psalm 113 and then we came upstairs and played with hats and visited with Daddy while he was on the computer and you know what? It's 12:15 and everyone is still in their jammies. This is also a good thing.

Next week is a busy week too... can't wait for Jen's shower. Then I get a small break before Jon's birthday. There are events between the two just nothing I need to plan or plan for. Good times.

Almost as good as watching a goat pet itself on your daughters extended hand while she looks at it like "what the heck are you doing to my fingers?"

Right

On the right day, in the right light, from the right angle before I have time to do anything which might result in messing it up... I do clean up pretty good still.

The Fair

The company I work for decided to host their company picnic at the Stanislaus County Fair today. It was an awesome idea. They gifted us with 3 gate passes, 3 bbq lunches, 3 unlimited ride wrist bands and two parking passes. Technically we were supposed to get 1 parking pass but when they asked if I would like a second 1 I said yes, because it's always good to have a spare.

Turns out it was the ideal plan. We went a little before the picnic (which was scheduled during the hottest part of the day) and walked the through the air conditioned buildings, checked out the art, the exhibit booths and the plants. We also made quick stop to buy Laylabug her first cowboy hat and to get something to drink. We also checked out the rainforest exhibit which Layla liked a lot.

The picnic was really informal. We had BBQ and soda. By we, I mean me and Jon, Layla refused to eat lunch and only had a cookie. They had face painting which we opted out of as Layla isn't a huge fan of stuff on her skin or sitting still.

After we ate I said hi to a few people and then we made our way out. It was obvious that Layla, who skipped her morning nap, was going to need to go home and sleep. We contemplated calling Nana Lorrie but as I really wanted to do the rides part with the baby we decided to take her home and let her nap instead. On the way out we checked out the petting zoo in the 4 H area which Laylabug loved.

We got our hands stamped, went out to the car, drove home and there was napping. Then 3 hours later we packed back into the car and the cranky baby from earlier was much more adapting so we decided to go back. We used our 2nd parking pass to park, our hand stamps to get in and went to enjoy a much cooler hour of fair-time.

We got corndogs. Layla didn't want to eat her corndog so taking advise from a girl friend of mine I wrapped it in a paper towel and stuck it in the stroller. We got wrist bands and we started riding rides.

Layla's first ride ever was the Jumping Jumbo (which is a generic Dumbo Flying Elephant ride). She rode with Daddy and Mommy took pictures. Then we stode in line and rode the Cars Route 66 ride. Daddy took pictures that time. Then Daddy and Layla rode Jumping Roo (a kangaroo ride) and then we put her back in the stroller and there was a brief fit because she wanted more rides.

We made her get into the stroller anyhow and walked to another part of the park. She immediately stopped crying when we started moving. She drank some water, ate some left over corn dog and we walked around for awhile (think of it as a Disneyland test run).

Then she went on the a Dizzy Dragon with Daddy, and a choochoo train with Mommy and we ended the night with a ride on the carousel with Daddy. Funny thing about the last ride, as we were walking there Layla was chomping down on her left over corn dog. Jon said "do you want to give your corn dog to mommy and ride a ride with daddy?" and she literally threw her corn dog on the ground and started waving and pointing at the ride.

That's my kind of kid. She loved things that went fast or that spun. She got off that spinning dragon with an ear to ear grin. Unfortunately the camera battery was low so we didn't get as many pictures as I like. I mean I only got 90 or so today. Which if you know me isn't very many.

We didn't head home until around 8:30 and then there was a wash down, a snack and some quiet time before bed. I think she finally crashed about 9...happy and silly as ever...

it was an awesome day.

Why today was a good day... a list...

• I took my shower last night so I got to sleep in.
• Thanks to a larger bed, I got to sleep without extra blankets touching me and didn't wake up hot and have to take a shower again.
• I got praise at work
• I needed to pitch in $10 at work for a birthday present for 2 people, I found $10 in my pocket which had been washed with my jeans when I got dressed this morning.
• There were cookies
• My mom left the anti-christ and moved in with Pop's and we went for a visit and no one left offended
• Jon got to sleep in until 8
• Layla ate some of her dinner and it wasn't yogurt
• Tomorrow is the fair and my company picnic which will have free BBQ
• I had a good "god related" dream last night
• It's almost time for Jen's baby shower and I am excited to soon meet Miss Mia
• I have a new book to read
• There is enough pepsi, ice and sunflower seeds to get me through an entire new book tonight
• The fan feels good
• I got to wear trendy jewelry this afternoon
• An old friend popped back up and made me smile
• There was a bible verse on my car when I left work today
• I've started following some new cool blogs
• Tomorrow there will be brownies & entourage while the baby naps

And in case you were wondering...because the internet always wonders... today's car windshield bible verse was Psalm 27

Oh Dear God, She's Almost 2

There comes that moment. That moment when your blackberry calendar sends you *the warning*.

The warning that says...hey... you've only got 2 months till she turns 2... start planning slacker.

And you think, NO NOT MY BABY GO AWAY!

And then you look at her... and she's not a baby anymore. She's a big girl, with big ideas, big plans and big eye lashes to bat at you when she really wants something.

Try as you might... there is no way to prepare for the warning.

No matter who has warned you... you will ignore them.

But, some things can't be ignored. They grow up while you aren't looking.

Suddenly they just aren't a baby anymore.

And then you cry.

Oh for the love of... Balloons

Who wants to plan a party today? Would you like to plan a baby shower, a adult man's birthday weekend or a bash at the park for a 2 year old girl?

Can't decide?

Well let's do them in date order.

Jen's baby shower:

Food plan *giggle* she wants hot dogs and fruit, also I am thinking sandwich stuff and a salad. There will be iced tea and ice water to drink. Joy has the decorations and the cake. Games are all planned. Prizes have already been picked up. So now I just need to run over the plan with Jen and Joy tomorrow and figure out what favors we're doing for sure. I vote cookie favors.

Jon's birthday weekend:

He says he doesn't care about his actual birthday but we both have it off so probably a short family road trip. Ocean? Then I work Friday but Friday night I am thinking dinner and drinks with friends and the baby can stay at my mom's new digs with her over night for the first time ever. We can sleep in Saturday and then on Sunday breakfast with the family like we did on my birthday, because everyone loves pancakes... Except Jon he likes french toast.

Layla's 2nd birthday:

I need to get her 2 year old pictures booked and then get them into shutterfly to make invites. Then I need to send said invites and book the park and pay the recreation dept. We need table clothes, balloons and to order a cake. Then for food... I'm totally at a pause. What does one eat at a princess party at the park?
Oh, and I need to book a hotel room for October once all my shopping lists are done.

While I am busy being the party coordinator *which I love by the way* it's Q & A time. Ask a question in the comments and I'll answer it later this week. Anonymous questions are fine. Math questions and general trivia is punishable by death. Thanks!

Whoops

Well my first Saturday off took a turn for the interesting and I spent part of the afternoon on pins and needles waiting to see if baby M was making her appearance very early. Turns out it was not meant to be but at least now I know that I can swing child care pretty fast thanks to this weekends test run. I feel a little bad for her mommy though with all that laboring only to have to wait.

Then Saturday night Jon and I stayed up much too late watching Entourage season 3 on DVD which we had borrowed from a friend. I love Jeremy Piven. So Sunday morning yet as I may I couldn't pry myself out of bed and Jon was kind enough to get up with the baby. I woke up what felt like 30 minutes later but was actually 3 hours later very rested.

The baby and I have spent our day in our pajamas. I made lunch and dinner and I got some dishes done only to make more dirty dishes. Eventually we took a bath only to slip into new pajamas.

So on Sunday I did what I thought I would do all day Saturday instead of going to the worship service at church and running to the local park to play in the water play area with Layla. I'm ok with that.

Today my mom canceled a girls weekend that was planned for later this month so one of my weekends suddenly freed itself up.

Jon forgot to ask for next Saturday off so he'll have to free up his schedule for the company picnic at the county fair.

I've got a baby shower to plan. I've got Layla's birthday to get started on. I have another round of dishes to do.

Would I be a bad person if I put it off another day and watched a movie in my pajamas while making brownies instead?

Don't answer that... I don't want your opinion to effect my decision.

Dorkus Maximus

Ahh weekends off. The rest of the weekends off this round are booked solid. So I am very glad that today I opted out of going to the Garlic Festival or making a playdate and instead did the things I needed to do.

I needed to go to bed at 9 pm and sleep in until 8 am. I needed to cuddle with my daughter, eat waffles and watch Sesame Street. I needed her to decide to nap at 10 even though she just got up so I could clean out the toy box, purge some clothes that are too small for her and finally find my other camera battery.

I needed to "finally" change out of my PJ's at 11:30 only to slip into my favorite bra, a comfortable pair of yoga pants and a hot pink tank top you'll never see in public. I needed to sort through pictures from earlier this month (like the one above) and work on Layla's birthday party invites.

I needed to be a dork and dance to Kat Kountry Radio while I found a snack. I needed to blog. I needed to enjoy my air conditioning too much and go outside 3 times to find my newspaper is missing.

I needed a dork day, a pj day, a day with no agenda or shopping list. And, so I'm going to go back to doing that now.

Away (writing prompt)

I sit in my favorite chair with a drink and a book in my hand and as I am rocking the ice clinks like a rhythmic folk band. I flip to the first page and it draws me inside with the scent of old paper that's yellowed with time. And there in black ink across lines single spaced is a carefree adventure that sweeps me away. The voice of each character seems so alive with the thousands of accents my heads stored inside. The people I can picture seem more real then the actors that will probably play them when the movie is cast for TV. The places I've been with their sights and their smells draw out like old memories when a book sends me somewhere. The next thing I know, I feel when they're in love, or when their hearts breaking sometimes their all fired up and my hands will start shaking. And by the last sentence on the very last page I've outwitted villians and of course saved the day. I rise from my chair with a smile on my face and put away the cup from which the ice melted away. I lost track of time and I found a new world all before chapter 24.

Chill-axin'

This week my schedule rotates at work. This is my rotate on to weekends off (for four weeks). So as it happens I'll have today off and then work two days and have a two day weekend. It's nice. It would be nicer if the opposite didn't happen in 5 weeks (where I have a 6 day work week).

Knowing you're working a short week makes a person eager to plan some stuff to do. I'll take the baby swimming. I'll finally make that trip I've been putting off to visit some great grandparents. I'll get the grocery shopping done. I'll do dishes and laundry for the baby. I'll finish that book. I'll finally blog.

It's a nice plan.

But usually I sleep in a little, I get half the stuff on my list done and I watch some movies with the baby. Sometimes we do manage to go swimming (like last week) or to run a few errands (planned for later today) but I try not to force us to have an agenda on our day together and we usually thrive on taking a little time to chill out.

Right now, I'm blogging and writing back to random text messages while next to me the baby plays in our bed. She's not really a baby anymore though. I know because up until a few minutes ago she was downstairs watching a movie by herself while I picked up the floor upstairs. We've entered the age of independent play, imagination, and story telling.

It really is a much better way to spend a day than just checking off my to-do list don't you think?

Look a baby!

This is Ethan, my new nephew in case you can't tell from the picture he's a perfect almost 10 lb little miracle and just as cute as his two older brothers.

Good job Eric and Jenette, he's wonderful!

Sorry about the fuzzy picture, I ran to the hospital on my lunch break and snapped this with the camera in my phone. I'll get a better one to post later with my actual camera when I take him his gift.

I wasn't going to post this one but I couldn't resist!

I feel it coming

The hot weather of August in the California Central Valley has arrived. Suddenly the hundred degree weather is making everyone grimace on the short walk to the air conditioned house from their car. Of course, that means that summer is in full swing and that the busy season...oh it's a-comin'.

August proudly boasts the arrival of several new babies in our families/friends group (speaking of which hop over to Trisha's blog and see how cute her new baby is when you have time). It's also my company picnic, the county fair, my god-son's birthday, my niece's birthday, my step-mom-in-law's birthday, and the hubby's birthday. Throw into that crazy mix a girls weekend to Fort Bragg that my mom is trying to put together and a baby shower and I am going to be very hot and very tired before September.

Least you think I can rest in September...that's the month of Layla's birthday, my mom's birthday, my anniversary, Terri's birthday, my sister-in-law's birthday, labor day weekend (which means the Fall Festival) and the expected arrival of another baby. Plus we're going to try and swing a road trip to the local Renaissance Faire that month.

So maybe in October after the trip to Disneyland, someone's 30th birthday, my other niece's birthday, and my other god-son's birthday I'll have some time to drop into a coma before I try to take the baby trick or treating past all the grandparents in one day. At least this year it will be a little easier as some of the grandparents/great-grandparents will all be in the same place at the same time.

Oh my sweet November how I do look forward to seeing you again. I miss your Autumn leaves, warm colors and the fact that you only have 2 birthday's and some paid time off from work to eat turkey on your vast calender of little empty boxes.

Swimming

I was a fish in the summers when I was little. I spent every day at the community pool with my friends lathering on the coconut scented dark tanning oil, chewing watermelon bubble yum and floating around on tropical colored inflatable tubes. It was good times.

I am not at all suprised that my child is a fish. Yesterday we went swimming, she never cried until we had to leave. She held her breath, she kicked, she floated around in a little yellow boat until Mommy's shoulders turned pink and it was time to go.

She loved it.

And then my adult wishes list grew one item longer.

I wish I had my own pool.

Maybe someday when I'm all grown up and I own my own home I can make that happen. Because it would be totally awesome to spend every day in the summer outside on a pink tube chewing watermelon bubble yum and watching my kid run around with a sun protective hat and SPF 45 sun tan lotion until that turns into her favorite summer memory too.

Too Many Circles

I made it to day 3 of the 7 days challenge. It's a good thing I didn't sign up for that long term. I just don't have time to take a self portrait AND post it in the same day. I've got stuff to do.

Today I deleted my twitter account. I like facebook better. In fact I like facebook enough I might be deleting my myspace soon. I mean how many social networking circles does one girl need? I have 5 friends that don't have facebook and follow me on myspace. That seems like a silly small number to be worth all the extra effort.

As it is I've got blog stuff to maintain, friends I actually talk to almost every day, a family to spend time with, clean up after and cook for. I've got playdates, swimming plans, library story times and all sorts of toddler circles I'm starting to be pulled into.

I work a full time job and I do a couple hobbies part time at best. I've got vacations to plan in August and October as well as a renaissance faire trip in September and the upcoming local county fair and company picnic (those last 2 are one event- welcome to small town life).

Not to mention I have a very good friend and 2 sister-in-laws about to have new babies any second now. Not that I talk to Jon's family a whole heck of a lot but I still plan on escaping to see new babies when they come if I can...well at least the one that's local. And the friend has asked me to be in the labor room (for now if she keeps the plan she had) which I am very honored to do.

I'd rather be focusing my time, energy and money on things I actually enjoy. Like planning trips, making big meals for the people I love and capturing as much of Layla's youth as possible on film.

Speaking of Layla's youth on film... someone pointed out to me yesterday that they couldn't log into Layla's blog for the last month. I did some site changes back when I was home bored recovering from the miscarriage. If you can't log on, let me know. I didn't delete anyone but it looks like it reset some permissions or something.

Plus Layla's second birthday is coming. Anyone who knows me knows I'm going to be planning that any minute now even though it's not until the end of September.

A letter

Dear day off,

Thank you. Thank you for little tiny people who stumble into my room at 5 am and then go back to sleep in their room until 7:30 when daddy takes them back there. Thank you for a husband who takes the baby back to bed after I mumble "oh no much to early she needs to go back to her bed" and then returns to set her free from her room at 7:30 when she wakes up. Thank you for a child so fascinated with markers that she will play quietly until 8 am when mommy stumbles out of bed after dozing on and off for awhile. Thank you for itsy bitsy spider during diaper changes, kisses while we mix pancakes that are "mmm". Thank you for a morning full of a toddler who used her words, dancing on tip toes to under the sea and nap times that go down easy and last longer than expected. Thanks for time with the hubby to visit and watch burn notice on DVD and plans later to go swimming on a day planned to be 105. But mostly, thanks for going off like a real day off so far instead of a day filled with chores, money, and adult responsibilities. It almost felt like summer vacation. All I need now is some watermelon bubble gum and some coconut scented tan oil.

7 Days:3 Tickle Foot

7 Days: 2 (A Day Late) Hand

7 days: 1

I've always wanted to do the 7 days project where you take a picture of yourself each day and blog about it for 7 days. Every year something comes up and I don't do it. Last year we were moving, before that I was in a high risk pregnancy.

So this year i'm doing it without linking up. Just to see if I can last 7 days. Next year i'll link up.

I will provide the link once tomorrow in case you want to try it.

And for day 1 a picture of me sick in bed taken with my phone which says a lot about how crummy I feel today.
Tomorrow's pic will be much better, I hope.

Once Upon a Time

I used to do Renaissance Faires. By "do", I mean that I was active in one every single weekend of the year almost. It was my full time job, my entire source of entertainment, and where most of my friends could be found most of the time.

The thing about a Faire life is that while you're in it, it is all consuming. Suddenly life becomes about new bodices, better mead, more authentic accents and knowing the right people. And you're totally won over by it because it's good fun, and good people.

And then if you're like me, you take a little break.

I didn't mean to take a 5 year break. I just didn't know how to go back once I quit. Who I was before, well I couldn't be that anymore...for many reasons. And, who I was at the time, well that wasn't very into the concept of working at becoming someone else.

But, sometimes I remember it fondly and I wish I could go back and spend a weekend or two camping out in the woods, being an ENORMOUS dork and dressing funny.

Because, I really do miss some of the people, some of the atmosphere, and some of the mead.

5 Years Ago

Once upon a time I lost a lot of weight. I died my hair and got new makeup. I bought clothes that fit. I went out to have drinks and dance with my friends and I went to work so tired that I had a hard time walking up the stairs at work in my high and flirty single girl high heels.

The thing is... I thought I was fat, ugly and uncool.

It's just part of my wiring. I'm never really happy with what I've got going on in the "looks" department. So now I'm more than five years older. My hair is dyed from a box because I no longer have the free-wheeling income to get it done right. My make-up is about to run out and I am in desperate need of both a pedicure and an eyebrow wax. And I feel just as fat, ugly and uncool as I did back then.

But now I'm married and I have a husband who loves me. I've got a daughter who tells me I'm "pretties" and pats the sides of my face with her little hands and gives me sticky kisses.

And there is something beautiful about that.

Now if only I could focus on it now, instead of looking back 5 years in the future and thinking...damn I was so awesome back then.

Dancing Queen

Those of you who know Layla well know she's really into anything with music. She's especially fond of Disney movies and musicals of all kinds. She can normally be found dancing around like a little spaz all over my house. Dancing can be inspired from songs, other people, sparkly shoes, spinning dresses and sometimes just her own imagination.

Did you know it's genetic?

I was well known in my family for occupying the space between my grandfather's rocker/recliner and the TV to dance along with whatever happened to be on the TV at the time. And when they put me in dance lessons I just had to test out my new tap steps on the tile in the kitchen while people were cooking. And ballet twirls by the ocean or in the park to the sounds of the winds in breezing through the trees... oh I was helpless to avoid it.

So, needless to say this one trait of my daughters usually amuses the spit out of me. I see a long line of tutu's, tap shoes and tacky stage make-up in my near future. Don't you?

Spunk

There are things I worry about as a mother. Stupid things that won't matter in 40 years... things like does she use her pacifier too much, do I let her climb into our bed too often to snuggle, am I too relaxed about the junk snacking...and then I look at her...

She's so full of life and joy. She knows what she wants and is more independent then half the kids I know her age. She's smart and she's funny.

And I remind myself... a little spunk will go a lot further in life than a little bit of following the rules.

Our 4th of July

Jon had to work yesterday for the middle part of the day so in the morning I got up with Layla and we had breakfast and played on the floor. Before her bath she went pee pee in the potty for the first time ever. Then she went down for a nap and Jon went to work and when she got up we went and bought a few fireworks, a watermelon and some McDonald's for Layla for lunch.

While Layla ate lunch I started cooking. Eventually Jen came by to visit and drop off some stuff and then Nana came over to hang out/babysit. Layla tried a fudge pop which she hated and had a cookie. Then Nana took her outside to play in the sprinkler while I hung out with Jen.

When Jon came home I made dinner and Jen left. Then we sat down to tri-tip, brocolli salad, macaroni salad with tuna, sourdough bread with warm garlic butter, and watermelon.

After dinner, Nana played with Layla and I recovered. We thought some friends were going to hang out so we sort of waited for them to call so we could go hang out but they didn't. So after awhile the baby went to bed and we waited for it to be dark enough for fireworks.

Then I woke Layla up and we went outside to light our fireworks (Layla was not impressed) and as I put her back to bed those friends finally called. Nana had just left so Jon went without me (plus it was almost 10 and the baby gets up early).

I went to our room to upload pictures to blog and about 45 minutes later Layla came in scared from all the fireworks booming in our neighborhood. So I decided to wait until today to blog and crawled into our bed with her and snuggled her to sleep. At 2 am she rolled off the bed (first time ever). Traumatic crying ended when she stole my pillow and snuggled back in.

When Jon came home ( I think it was around 3) he moved her back to her bed where she slept until this morning around 7. Then she played in our room/bed until I could drag myself downstairs to make pancakes.

Right about the time I got all the way awake, she put herself down for a nap. And that is why I am blogging now.

It was a lovely 4th... good times, good times.

Indepence

This picture was taken at the CSU Stanislaus Firework show in 2005, which was canceled for the first time this year due to the economy.

Early in the morning I would awake to the sound of pots and pans clanging out the simple symphony of a holiday morning at the ranch. My grandmother woke with the sun and was already on the other side of the spare room's door mastering the perfect blend of 2 parts mayo, 1 part yellow mustard, equal parts onion and relish for the potato salad. A pot of beans bubbling on the nearby stove smelled of sweet tomatoes and warm spices but my breakfast plate was filled with Eggos and Karo Syrup because she was busy.

As the morning progressed my help was issued off and on between the women folk fluttering through the kitchen in a nervous jumble and the men outside clearing the shop and sweeping the concrete where they would place long wooden tables with long wooden benches and serving tables covered with red and white checkered plastic for serving food. The side doors of the big metal shop would be cranked open by lunch time letting the country breeze flow through the open space and out the opposite side.

Sometimes the wind would change and the location of the big BBQ made of cast iron would have to be rethought. It took two grown men to move the pit of coal with the large metal crank for moving the rack closer and farther from the frame to the opposite side of the shop and sometimes they did it more than once to keep the smoke out of the shop.

In the shop next to the steady hum of the antique refrigerator we stole soda's from when we were hot a circle of ice chests would be begin to form. Each one overflowing with white ice chunks and cans of soda and beer. The counter nearby would slowly fill with little plastic high ball glasses, big red Dixie cups and bottles of adult beverages that never interested us kids at all.

Instead the kids could be found dividing our time between the shady front yard with it's lush green grass playing games that only came out for holidays like boccie ball and polo, the concrete driveway on bikes or with chalk, in the fields bothering the horses and jumping from the hay bails and intermittently at the buffet table sampling the assorted appetizers that made their way outside.

When we got really hot we'd wander into the shop and drink ice cold Pepsi from little plastic high ball glasses and feel very adult while we played games of Blitz with real quarters for betting that we talked some unsuspecting adult into giving us. And every once and a great while they'd humor us with sprinklers or plastic pools filled with water to keep us out of the way.

Mid afternoon the relatives came. They came in big trucks & shiny town cars with the windows rolled down filled with sweaty kids to play with and woman with big hair and bright red shirts. The men would gather at one table and the women at the other and they would talk about things adults like to talk about and laugh. They would shoo us kids outside over and over until it was time for dinner then they would spend just as much time begging us to come back in to eat.

We'd eat from grandma's famous platters of southern food and a large selection of covered dishes brought by the relatives, friends and relatives/friends of our friends and relatives. We sampled a little of everything until we were too full. And then the quite hum of visiting would wash through the echoing big shop while people had that one last slice of the type of desserts that kept Cool Whip in business.

When the darkness came we would flow out the big doors like lines of ants and a semi-circle of lawn chairs with orange and yellow slats would form on the concrete while the kids rushed to put the bikes away. Then the fireworks would come out in boxes, bags and buckets to be placed for the men to light.

They'd stand around with their beer in once hand and a lighter in the other laughing and making dares while one by one we oohed and awed at the magical sparkling and whistling and popping. Some of the things were small and they would be lite in big groups to make them compare to the fireworks that my grandparents had brought home from their vacations back to Oklahoma to see family.

Eventually the oh and aw feeling would be replaced by shock and awe as one man always managed to catch his shirt on fire or accidentally send a flower firecracker under a little old woman's chair. The more meek children would watch through the big picture window from the house and the others would beg for sparklers and dance around in their open toed sandals spelling names in the sky and trying not to burn themselves (back when sparklers actually had sparks).

When the fireworks were done we'd look to the horizon and watch the big show from town popping over the sky to our left or right. And then suddenly tired and hot we'd gather back into the big shop and the women would start a parade of half platters of food and the last of the deviled eggs back into the kitchen to be tucked away until tomorrow. And the men would stack the big tables and the big benches until next year.

One by one the families would pile into their big trucks and the sound of country music would fade away as their lights dimmed into the night sky. They drove away with their covered dishes and they sauce stained bright red shirts, with their dirty children falling asleep in the bed of the truck.

And right about the time everyone fun had wandered off I'd hear my dad whistle out back by the big metal American made car that had sat in the sun all day... and I'd crawl into one of it's hot fabric seats and click my seat belt and let the vibration of the road lull me into sleep while the breeze through the open window tickled the hair falling out of my braids against my dusty skin and I'd start dreaming about next year.

~~**~~**
Happy 4th of July! May you have the sort of Indepence Day that your kids will still remember 25 years later. May you be thankful for the freedom you have and pray for the people who gave it to you every day.

Innocent summer curiousity

Layla's First Zoo Trip @ Chaffee Zoo, Fresno CA

This is Layla, she's waiting (not so patiently) for Nana to come because we're going to the Chaffee Zoo in Fresno for our FIRST VISIT TO THE ZOO!

After an hour and 20 minute drive to Fresno we hopped into the stroller, paid our $7 admission fee and took off to see some animals (like the birds Layla is pointing to)...

Oh by the way...if you're hoping to see animal pictures you should try google...this post is about LAYLA and the ZOO not some silly animals...

Layla and Mommy checked out the hind end of some elephants, they never turned around the whole time we stood there.

This is Layla and Nana at the monkey cages. Layla really liked the monkeys and one King Louie looking creature took a liking to her and followed her from one side of the exhibit to the other.

Then Mommy got brave and let her walk on her own. Eventually she chased a squirrel because paying to go to the zoo and chasing an animal you can find at home for free is totally a (almost) 2 year old thing to do.

We also ALMOST went to a petting zoo but it was mostly goats and sheep and we have those at home for free so we skipped it.
After the squirrel chasing we were hot and tired and we had a little fit about being put back into the stroller so Mommy decided it was lunch time. The chicken and chips at the zoo is dark meat, Layla thought they were yummy. Then Layla got her first ICEE thanks to Nana...

Then we paid $2.00 to feed Giraffes. Layla LOVED this part and I wish I had done it more than once.

We did not attempt to see all the animals, just ones we thought she would enjoy or recognise because she's only 2 and it's July in the Central Valley so it was 101 degrees today.

If I had it to do again... more giraffe's...skip the birds...

They have a new stingray exhibit where you can touch sting rays. It was lovely and cool. The sting rays are VERY friendly and even popped there little heads out of the water right next to you after awhile. It was VERY cool. Layla liked the water. Once a sting ray made eye contact she was done with it. She wanted to leave.

On the way out we checked out a few more animals, bears, camels, lemur island, reptiles and the what not. I never thought we'd see every animal and was very content with the time we did spend there.
We had intended on going to Storyland next door but Layla was pretty hot and tired by 12:30 so we came home instead. She slept in the car for awhile and then she played with Nana in the back seat singing silly songs, playing with alphabet beads, refusing water because she had 2 gallons of ICEE and enjoying the new animals that Nana bought her at the gift shop.

It was a lovely trip and I can't wait to do it again when it's cooler.