Moonrise & Camp-

Here's me and my sweetie at the Moonrise. Joe surprised me with a night out for our anniversary. We got to drink-and-eat-and-drink-and-eat and sleeeeeep innnnnn all by ourselves. It was amazing with no kids pulling at our sleeves every five minutes -- and no one needed a waffle made for them within five seconds of their feet hitting the ground after waking up. See how well rested and refreshed we look? The good news is that we still like each other after 13 years of marriage!

Here's our resident jokester at summer camp. They had a "photo booth" and e-mailed parents the pics. What a riot. He is having FUN at camps this summer. It's a lot of work for this taxi-mom to take him everywhere at the proper time, but it's worth it. Happy summer!!

Aladdin and swimming

Bebe took Ben and me to see Aladdin at the Muny. It was AWESOME. We had rented the movie so Ben knew what the story was all about and what was going on. He really loved it and was smiling almost the whole time ... Bebe decided Ben was the sixth generation to go to the Muny. It was a beautiful night - a storm cloud rolled through and cooled things off but didn't rain - so it was perfect. Thanks, Bebe!

 We got home at midnight and this boy was tired after a long day at camp and night at the theater!!

Here's a bonus pic of Missy in the baby pool at home.

She's our little fish!

Popsicles & Super Diaper Baby

 Nora's 4th of July (and first ever) popsicle ...

 Ben showed her the ropes ...

 She LOVED it!

Ben dressed as "Super Diaper Baby." He puts on a diaper and runs around the house chanting SUPER DIAPER BABY while cracking up the entire time!!!!! Wow, that's some six-year-old humor for ya. We will definitely use this photo as future blackmail. Insert evil laugh track here ...

Peep Toe Wedges & Happy 4th

Nora is obsessed with these peep toe wedge sandals! What a riot. These are (unworn) hand-me-downs from Mags and I have to hide them from Nora because she loves them so. She already walks/runs around like a drunken sailor and with a slight heel she's an accident waiting to happen.

On another subject, we're skipping the Fourth of July this year. Too hot ... way too hot. They've cancelled the fireworks around us because it's too dry and too hot. We didn't want to hit any parades because it's waaaaayyyy toooooo hoooooooooot. I'm looking at the thermometer right now and it "only" reads 104.9 degrees. The air has been running nonstop and the grass is a crunchy dry mess of hay. But don't worry, I got red, white and blue popsicles so that's enough for this year!

On the upside, it's almost our anniversary — lucky #13 — and Joe and I SWEAR that it's always cool on our anniversary. So, we're sticking with that!

Monkey See Monkey Do

Ben got a splinter so we decided to soak his finger in water for a few minutes to help get it out. Nora saw big brother doing this and next thing you know she opened the cabinet, got her own bowl and tried to fill it with water using the spout in the refrigerator door. Ben finds it totally amusing that she wants to do EVERYTHING he does ... we'll see how he feels about it next summer!

Groove of Summer-

 Relaxing ...

 Dance parties ...

and chilling by the pool ...

I think we've finally got into the groove of summer.

Babies and Zoo Robots

Nora loves to play with the baby dolls at Bubba's house. 

Some family members find them super creepy  but not Miss Miss.

Ben built this zoo robot the other night. He cracks us up!