... time well spent.

Today the weather was just perfect... not too hot, not too cold, not too humid (although that's coming!), just wonderful. We ditched our evening plans in favor of picking up some dinner and having a picnic at Lake Reba. We took the fishing poles, too, and enjoyed some time together as a family.

We put a popper on Rachael's princess rod and I would cast it for her (Ryan and I are both still worried that she will hook herself with an actual fly; she still only 3). Then I would hand it over and she would reel it in. She actually caught a fish just like that, reeling it in all by herself! She was so thrilled. So was Daddy. I, of course, left the camera home. We will just have to go out again sometime and try it again.

... the calm after the storm.

We have had some pretty wild thunderstorms the last couple of weeks. Twice I have seen lightning strike the tall trees in the backyard, and the power has flickered on and off a couple of times. While Ryan was in China we even had hail one night. But then our reminder of a loving Father in Heaven came after the storm today!

... her active imagination.

After Quiet Time today I went to check on Rachael. She announced that there was a monster in her closet. The conversation went something like this:

"Hi Momma! There's a monster in my closet!" (cheerfully)

"Oh really? Can you show it to me?"

"OK. Here it is Momma." (she pretends to scoop it up in one hand, then 'scoops' it to me)

"Wow. He's tiny."

"Yeah, he's just a little baby monster and he hides in my closet. And he's getting just a little bit cranky because he misses his mommy and daddy and brother and sister."

So we put him back in the closet for a rest. I wonder if the rest of the family will make an appearance soon, and will they fit in the palm of my hand?

... and some great websites.

Some websites I used for ideas for the bridal shower:

Decorating Ideas
Hostess with the Mostess (some really really cute tabletop ideas)
Bridal Shower Ideas

Food Ideas
Piece of Cake Wedding Showers
Food Network (of course)

Games
Bridal Shower (games)


Some days I am so grateful for all the stuff I can research on the Internet!

... the bridal shower.

Today I had the opportunity to host a bridal shower for a cute girl in our ward who is getting married next month. She's a charming girl and it was so fun to have the party! It was great for Rachael and I to have a project the last couple of weeks, too; it gave us something to do while Ryan was out of town.

... the birds are back!

The cardinals (and other birds) have returned to the backyard. This is nice for two reasons... one, we really like to watch them, and two, it's the end (finally!) of the cicadas.

These two were fun to watch; the female bounced around all over the top of the feeder until the male was finished, like she was on the lookout!

... Ryan's home!

And he doesn't have a barking cough or a broken finger this time, either, so all is well.

Things I will not miss, now that Ryan is home:
-being the single parent
-eyeballing a 3 year old while playing the organ in sacrament meeting
-cooking lunch and dinner every single day
-or eating mac n cheese for those meals because I don't want to fix something
-having conversations on instant messenger
-remembering to take out the trash!

... the "timer."

The latest in our string of potty-training tricks, I bought a wristwatch for Rachael a few days ago. I set it to beep on the hour so it will remind us to use the potty. (Both her and me.) The best part is there's no arguing - it just beeps, and we go.

So far it's worked pretty well; the only accidents she's had have been because we missed the "timer" and didn't go to the potty. I don't know how long it will last, or the flip side, if we will get addicted to the watch to use the potty, but it's working for now so we will go with it. Would it be the end of the world if she wore a wristwatch to elementary school?

And after two weeks of night-time training, she has been dry the last two nights, too! Hooray!

... hello from Kira.

A few days ago I was talking to Lesley on the phone. Her oldest daughter, Kira, was my favorite niece for a long time (well, until Anika was born anyway). Kira is autistic, but today she said "Hello, Krissy" into the phone when prompted by Lesley. And Lesley said she was so proud of herself. So sweet! It's almost like hearing her first words all over again.

... FHE, Mommy-style.

It's our last FHE before Daddy comes home, so we had a serious girls day, complete with shopping and dinner at our favorite restaurant, Qdoba.

Nine shopping bags here all together... the best part? Almost all of it is under $10 and mostly I paid with cash. Sweet!