July Photo Dump (Part 1)

I feel like if the "extra" photos from the month that don't get their own blog post need more than just a Part 1, it may be a sign that I take too many pictures...

Oh well... Skip it if you want to.

At the Dr. We found out earlier this month that Garrett may have seasonal allergies.

 At the Lion's Club firework stand.

 Little cutie loves carrying her purse from Mimi.

 Garrett discovered a new way to ride in the cart.

 Breakfast with dad.

We went on a long walk, played at the park, and had breakfast at Mimo's Cafe in Uptown.

Leaf crunching.

We took Paul's cousin, Jake, to sing karaoke.

 Free slurpee day. 7-11

Wandering around downtown LA.

 Famous Taquitos on Olvera Street.

 The kids think it's so funny to pretend to be asleep in the car.  (Addie was naked here because she jumped in a fountain at a cathedral in LA.)

Summer Bucket List

I compiled this list back in May and have it saved one my phone.  I've added to it as I think of new things, but I think there's enough (maybe too much) to keep us busy for the next couple of months.  We've already done several of them, and I'm looking forward to checking more off the list!

I decided to make a list, not to put unnecessary pressure on myself, but just to have a good go-to list for ideas on the boring days.  I need the motivation, because I've become kinda lazy the past few months.  Not to be all, 'I have a good reason', but, I have a good reason.  I hurt my shoulder earlier this year.  Like, crazy hurt it.  I don't remember exactly when and how it happened, I just know that I had two toddlers, my purse, and probably about seven grocery bags in my arms, and we were going upstairs.  I was trying to lift a kid higher or something to get a better grip, and I felt this shock go through my arm.  It didn't start constantly hurting right when it happened, but over a few days it got worse and worse.  We started going on less walks because pushing the stroller was a challenge.  And getting it down the stairs, or even out of the back of the van and setting it up was truly impossible for a while there.  And I didn't trust my strength to let both kids walk because one of them always wants to be carried for at least a little bit.  Everyday tasks were really painful.  Dish washing, vacuuming, lifting kids in the tub, opening doors, etc.  I couldn't even extend my arm out while laying in bed to get chap stick or my phone off my night stand.  And putting deodorant on the opposite arm pit was one of my most dreaded and painful tasks.  I started going to the chiropractor twice a week, and he'd adjust my arm/shoulder while I was standing.  It looked and felt like he was trying to rip my arm off.  My chiropractor lets interns come to his office almost daily to observe and learn, and every time I was there he'd make sure and have the intern there to educate them on this strange injury.  I also had my massage lady work hard on that spot every week, and massages stopped being enjoyable.  And lastly, a family friend who is a personal trainer works with me weekly on different exercises and stretches to strengthen and restore it.  Phew, that was long.  All that to say, it's helped, and I'm good about 90% of the time now. So it's time for full-time fun!  Also, two times yesterday I read captions on IG photos that were something like "as summer is winding down..."  and "as fall approaches..."  Say what?!?  So I googled it and found this.

We got plenty of time!  I'm giving us till Garrett's birthday (Sept. 23) to see how much we can cross off the list.

Summer Fun 2013

-A sunset walk on the beach
-Splash pad
-Donuts for breakfast at the park
-Get free slurpees on 7-11 day
-Have brunch at Mimo's Cafe
-Host a Pool Party
-Long Beach Farmers Market
-Camp out in Poppy's backyard
-Grow a garden
-Go bowling
-Attend an outdoor concert
-Have a water fight
-Have a craft day
-Have a BBQ
-Roast hot dogs and mallows
-Make sugar cookies
-Make fresh peach pie
-Light our own fireworks
-Have a picnic at Whittier Narrows
-Go on a hike
-Start a quilt
-Wander downtown LA (more than just the fabric district)
-Drink a dirty Diet Coke from 'Swig' in St. George Utah
-Turn our dining room table into a mini city and race cars around
-Spray paint a couple things, either from around the house or thrift/yard sale finds
-Make kool-aid taffy
-Have happy meals at the park
-Do theme weeks*
-Go mini golfing
-Have snow cones from Scotty's at Parnell Park
-Pick fresh fruit

This may seem overwhelming to some, but seeing it in writing makes me feel excited and motivated.

*Theme weeks are some ideas I came up with before the bucket list was created, to try and have educational activities mixed in with our summer days.  We'll see how we do, I'm feeling ambitious!  I'll post the theme week plan tomorrow.

cousins and the farmers market

We had dinner last weekend with Paul's cousins and their families.  His oldest cousin, Micah, and his wife and kids have been living in Scotland for the past three years.  And it's been at least that long since we'd seen them all.  They are moving to Texas next week.  We're hoping to see them again before they go because the kids had so much fun together.  IT makes me sad that they don't have much young family around to grow up with.

Addie and this little guy are just two weeks apart.

Garrett and I started a cool whip fight after dinner.

Giving each other piggy-back rides.

Our kids and their three cousins who they'd never met before.

*****************************************

That same weekend, we went to Long Beach for the Farmers Market/Street Fair.  We had breakfast at Schooner or later first.  Long wait, but worth it.

Garrett's reaction when he saw his aunt who he didn't know was meeting up with us.

My SIL and I were talking on our way over to the market, about how it's likely that mermaids and aliens exist.  Mermaids because of the animal planet special, and aliens because of my plane tour in Peru over the Nazca lines.  The first booth we came to was merchandise from Peru, sold by a Peruvian who was wearing a Nazca shirt!  We spent a lot of time talking to him, and I think he made my SIL a believer.  He doesn't look too friendly, but he was really nice.  He even wrote down more sights to see in Peru, as well as his personal info so I can contact him to get set up with people in Peru to tour with if I ever go back.  I'd love to take Paul and the kids someday.

Paul and I bought succulents.  I'm really loving them right now because they're the only plant I can't kill.

My MIL wanted to buy Addie some clothes and hats, but Addie didn't want to try stuff on, so Garrett stepped in as the model.

When he was done with the girly stuff, he got to break open his own geode rock.  Really manly.

I love summer.  Longer days, warmer nights.  It's good for my soul.  And watermelon is one of the best parts!  The kids love it, too.  And a little TMI side note, I've mentioned before that both kids struggle with constipation often.  Let's just say that we can always tell in their diapers when they've had a lot of watermelon the day before!