The impossible...

Years ago we were told we couldn't.  This handsome devil proved we could....

 

His 6th birthday was celebrated with Jedi training and a 

mighty light saber battle in the back yard. 

Of course, young Jedi Jacob needed a space ship...

Happy birthday, sweet son!  May your heart always stay so sweet and your mind as brilliant and curious.  Love you...to the moon and back.

I see Star Wars...

I went for a longish run this morning.  Across a fairly large street and up a sidewalk around the local commercial area.  And I come across a spot on the sidewalk with multiple and odd municipal markings...

An epic imperial battle was fought here.

A block later I come across this one...

The one they call "Skywalker" is truly a Master.

Hi!

It was a fairly full week last week...last week of school for the boy, a week of camp for the girl, she and I were both sick, long week for the lawman and I had three cake orders for Saturday.  Good thing I tend to work best in chaos!

My delightful niece spent the latter half of the week with us.  Not only was she an amazing help, but we had a great time together in the kitchen!  

Anyway...I'm only going to show you my favorite of the three cakes...slightly more appetizing than the original inspiration...

Our own gruesome rendition of The Worst Pie in London

Lots and lots of chocolate cake with mini chocolate chips and covered in even more chocolate...really hoping the health inspector doesn't stumble across these photos...

A even gruesomer surprise lurked in the middle...

It bleeds!!  Bwahahahahaha!

Daddy day revisit...

I posted this a couple years ago, still one of my favorites...

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This list was more difficult. Due more to an inability to put concepts into words than for brevity. And it has only been in recent years that I've come to realize the magnitude of gifts handed down from my dad...

It's never wrong to stand up for what you believe in--even in the face of adversity

Poetry is actually pretty cool

An unquenchable desire to know Stuff and to know how Stuff works

More importantly--how to put Stuff back together once
I've taken it apart in a quest for knowledge

Even girls need to know how to change a tire and change the oil.

Whenever possible, use the proper tool for the job--even if it means you have to go out and purchase that one specific tool you need. Everybody will be happier for it.

Be inventive

Learn from every experience...builds character!

If you're going to learn something, learn it well. Practice often.

Easy on the clutch

Motorcycles are, indeed, Amazing Things

Use the front and rear brakes together

Love animals

It's never too late to learn new things

Read. Read. Read.

Computers are Useful Tools--know how to use one!

The written word can be a very powerful tool--use carefully and judiciously.

Choose your battles

It's never too late to broaden one's mind

Be strong

Be independent

Love

Love out loud

Treat each day as an amazing gift

Love you, Daddy! Happy Father's Day!

Saturdays...we like them!

Their dad worked last night...not only made it home in time to take care of all of their morning things and let me enjoy a fairly relaxed Saturday morning, but the man also brought home doughnuts!  Then what to do with these two wild and crazy kiddos so daddy-o could sleep...

A morning at the botanical gardens seemed in order.

A delightful morning spent playing on the splash pad, exploring the tree house, squealing with delight over the venus fly trap plants, picnicking by the sandbox, smelling the roses, pausing to admire the little brown bunny that was enjoying his own morning out...

And exploring this amazing sculpture made out of saplings and twigs...

From the garden's website:  "Artist-in-residence Patrick Dougherty built a large-scale, temporary sculpture of woven sticks and saplings in the Anderson Meadow; a transformational activity we called  “Meadowmorphosis.”

They were both worn out by the time we left...Kyleigh informed me that her legs didn't want to walk anymore...it was hot but they enjoyed their day!  

Status report...

Laced up for a run this morning.  And at 6:20 in the am, it was already soup outside!  It's going to be a loooong summer.  I suppose the good part is that the 1/2 marathon in September is at the beach and I'm going to be running in the exact same conditions I've been running in--Hot and Humid.  There'll be people coming in from all over who aren't used to that and it's going to kick their booties.  So, I have that going for me.

First ever catcall whilst running this morning.  Horn honked and a, "Lookin' good, bay-bee!" You know, officially? I'm offended.  But the fat girl in me?  She was all...really?! Gosh...thanks! Sure beats the heck out of the time I was mooed at! Though, I may have run just a little bit faster.

The boy is finishing up his year in kindergarten this week.  He had an awards ceremony a few days ago and I got a little choked up.  He's still little compared to so many others in his grade.  But he's running over with personality and brilliance.  The little man has had a really good year--we're so proud of him and how far he's come!  He's also got a birthday coming up--and it's going to be Awesome!

The preschool we've been involved in for the past couple of years is expanding to include kindergarten through eighth grade in the fall.  It's a massive undertaking.  I've volunteered my time and pr skills and created a brochure and mailing for them.  I'll also be involved in the school itself as one of the art people.  When I was first asked to help out with the brochure it never even crossed my mind that I would be compensated for my time.  Imagine my surprise a few days ago when the director of the preschool called and asked if, in lieu of payment, Kyleigh would be interested in joining them for one week of their summer camp program.  A program we never even considered due to its cost.  And now she gets to go to next week's camp.  Simply because I replied, "Sure, not a problem" when someone else asked me for a favor.  I made the mistake of talking to her about it...the girl was ready to head out this morning! But, Mommy! I have to go see my friends!  Time is such a fickle thing in the world of 3-year-olds.

We're all anxiously awaiting the end of next week--cousins will be out of school as well!  Out door pools are open.  Parks to visit.  Sprinklers to run through.  Adventures to be had.  The days will be just packed!

7:16 am...

And this is where she can be found...every single morning.

Well, except for Saturdays and Sundays.  Then she's off somewhere else causing mayhem.

Birthday season...

A dear friend's daughter turns 3 this week...and she's in love with horses.  

So they had pony rides at the party!

My own kiddos were delighted...to say the least!

Of course, I made the cowgirl cake with a white horse to match her party plates...

A purple princess cake started off the season...my original birthday crew...I get a little teary every time I put a higher number on one of their cakes.  Both of them very girly...but always fun to create such vastly different cakes.

Not too long ago someone asked me a question regarding how I advertise.  She was a little taken back when I told her I didn't.  Every single new cake order I get is through word of mouth.  And really? That's the best advertising I can get! Cheap and highly effective.  I'm as busy with this as I'm comfortable being and I love what I do!  Who could ask for more than that?

Still kickin'...

He remains under the weather.  She's already on preschool summer vacation.  He's two weeks away from graduating kindergarten!  Cake business is hopping.  A week of temps hovering just under 100 makes me think summer decided to come early.  Oh...and I have a half marathon to run in 13 weeks!

But the play was delightful!