flowers!

 We dragged the kids to Malmborg's and bought flowers.   Last year I bought many from the home center near us, and they never looked as good, even after all summer, as the Malmborg's plants do from  the first day.

Okay, look at this.  That's a dog dish filled with sand and water.  Things tend to go off the rails.

Yeah.

 We got it done, and everything is looking beautiful. When we were done with the flower pots, I got the hose and some laundry detergent and we scrubbed the patio again.

 She's working.   And this amazed me:  She remembered this place from a year ago, and remembered they had child-sized fancy shovels, and asked for a new one.

I mean, of course.   Yes.  Any shovel you like.

 Candy Corn Vine!  A few years back when we were at the nursery buying flowers, I told the kids they could each choose one of their own.  Tim picked Candy Corn Vine. 

And it was adorable, grew and blossomed all the way until frost.

He's big now, and beyond trips to the nursery with me, so I bought two for him anyway.

It was a lovely Saturday.

Love, Val

mother's day, 2018

It was a lovely day, hosted by Heidi and Joe, and also Kirsten this year.  Everybody brought food and it was a feast.

 The usual crowd was there, and also Jay's parents and mine, which was extra nice.   I wish I'd taken more pictures.  But then I don't want to be the intrusive person shoving a camera in everyone's face either.  You know.

They all love to get in her room and into all these trinket-y toys, all the Shopkins and LOL Dolls.

 Here they were playing family, putting the babies to bed.

 Awww. buddy.  I sure do love you.

 It was warm and beautiful outside.

And we all sang to this girl again.   Maria baked that masterpiece of a cake.  It was seriously very, very cute.

Onward.

Kari is home, done with her semester and James will be home in ten days, and also Aaron will be here the summer too.

Thank you guys for this lovely day, and Happy Mother's Day!

Love, Mom

his choir concert

It was a wonderful occasion, a beautiful night.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa

you being four

 Oh my goodness, what a great day this was.

 All about you, all about being FOUR.

 The opening of the gift you picked out, yes enjoy.

Cake time!!  It's so intimidating when your family surrounds you and loudly sings.

 John's kids called and sang, and at first she slapped the phone away, but when she realized what was happening, stood still, transfixed, listening to their song, love, and good wishes. It was very sweet.

Then she announced her suitcase was packed and she was coming home with us, with Tim, Julia, Grandpa and me for a sleepover.

??

Okay, that can work.

And indeed it is.  She's asleep beside me now with Sidney tucked beside her.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa and Everybody

oh, may

 May arrived along with two girls for a sleepover while their mom and aunt went to the Garth Brooks concert.   The big chair above with the tablet is her station for where she can use the tablet while it's plugged in to a handy extension cord.

And then later, she fell asleep with her tablet and that unicorn thing. I turned the tablet off and put it to the side.

 She and Sidney had a great sleep, all cuddled up together in the nest bed on our bedroom floor.  I have personally tried out the nest, and it's comfortable, so soft.  I washed all the sheets and blankets, smells beautiful.

 Eating whipped cream sponge cakes late in the night after our trip to Menards, Target, and Cub.

Flowers are peeking out in the garden.  I took this picture on our way to the park.

Jay carried up the patio umbrella and we got the lights working.

Spring has arrived.

It felt so good to be out on the patio, dogs enjoying the yard, racing around.

May?  I am so darn glad you're here.

Love, Val

tim's band concert

 It was so nice, very, very nice.  They played well, and this band director gets a lot of music out of these kids.

Nice work, Tim.

Love, Mom and Dad and Julia

the little calendar

Got to turn the page to two more months.

Sweet.

Love, Valarie