Dogs and Beach

I realize I haven't posted all week, so here's a little update. You can't tell too much but we learned about midweek that Joli's "rash" is actually the chicken pox! They haven't been itching her too much and it's now looking like they're going away! Yay!!!
Kacie's dog, Baylie, has just returned from doggie boot camp, so we've been making an effort to get her and Brody together. Hopefully some day they will be friends and make our lives much easier!!

Today it was absolutely beautiful out and we headed to the beach. Lilly thought our shovel was just awesome!

I didn't want to leave Brody home while we were doing such a dog friendly activity, so he got to be in charge of the wagon.

Joli and Syrus seem to have such a love/hate relationship. Just the other day they were playing prince and princess and Syrus was waking Joli with kisses!

Brody wasn't too thrilled that I wouldn't let him run wild, but there were so many other families on the beach I didn't really want to be chasing him around. Eventually he will learn to stay with us.

Lilly absolutely loves Brody. He's so good with her and just lets her do whatever she wants without trying to lick her death! Looks like he might be growing up after all!

Once I took one of the sides off the wagon so Lilly could get in and out, she thought it was awesome!!!

Abby was awesome, as usual, and made cupcakes for our little play date. We had planned to read "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake", and also talk about the things that the cat found at the beach and search for some ourselves, but with four kids and two dogs it just didn't work out that way.

Lilly loves food and was pretty pissed that she couldn't eat all ten cupcakes! What a silly girl!

I realize now that I didn't get any pictures of sweet Charlotte. She's been my best friend this week! She's such a little lover!

Once we got home we all had a bath. Brody loved his and hasn't really been itching too much since then!!

He pretty much slept like that for the next two hours! Now Joe is home and we're all so excited to be enjoying some family time!!

Happy Birthday Charlotte!!

Last night we celebrated Charlotte's first birthday!! She was a beautiful birthday girl!

The big kids were excited about her birthday too!!
They had their own special little table at dinner.

Charlotte and Lilly sat with us and still were the messiest!

Charlotte liked hearing us sing even if she was a little shy.

She wasn't shy about cake though!

Brody got to come visit with us and was very happy to help clean up!

After all the cake it was time to open presents. Charlotte wasn't too interested and the big kids ended up helping her open most of her presents. It was a nice little get together and I think Charlotte had a very happy day!

Beach

We took a little walk down to the beach today. It was a little chilly but Kacie took some good pictures of us, and I got a few too!

Painting and Dresses

Joli asked to paint yesterday but the day was over before she got a chance so today I made sure she had the opportunity.

I think she's doing great with her faces!

Joli and I had a little lunch date and did some shopping in Coronado today. It was so lovely! I found this awesome dress that is so light and comfortable, and will also work wonderfully for an outfit at the faerie festival!
Since I was in the mood, I started going through some of my other clothes that could also work as faerie outfits. This is actually a skirt but I don't like how long it is, so I tied it up and made it a strapless dress!

So excited to have found several outfit options!

Something Productive!!!

It's only taken me five months to work up the energy to mow the lawn. No big deal. This is how tall it was when I started out. Actually lost the ruler in it.

This was what it looked like when I was done!!
This whole flower bed was covered in weeds taller than the grass. Pulled them all out and sprinkled some wildflower seeds I got the other day!! Can't wait to see them grow!

Eventually I'll get around to the backyard...

Dr. Seuss

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, Joli and I read "Green Eggs and Ham" and "The Cat in the Hat" during dinner, which was green eggs and ham!!

Joli totally loved it and had seconds of both!!
This was my attempt "The Cat in the Hat" strawberry shortcake.

Didn't look so cool, but tasted awesome!!!

It was a very fun and delicious dinner!

Let There Be Light

Joli and I went back to Ikea today and bought two lights to light up her new play area under the bed. She was thrilled! The lights are perfect because she can turn them on and off herself!