Summer in a Nutshell

No, that is not really a metaphor for our crazy life over here, but it could be! ...Or would that be "Summer in a Nuthouse?"

Documenting family life has not been at the top of my list lately, but frankly, not much else has been either- except survival, with preservation of sanity preferred. The very latest pregnancy update is that I developed gestational diabetes this go-round. At least it explains my unusual fatigue and extreme thirst, as well as the RLS, inability to sleep, and probably the whole host of other discomforts, but it was not a welcome discovery. The risk of complications for delivery and the baby's health increase quite a bit and that leaves me feeling more unsettled than the four-times-a-day finger lanceting and the dietary restrictions. Only about 10 more weeks to go, though, and I can deal with that! The single digits next week will be even more encouraging!

On to something much sweeter, Evie had her 5th birthday in July.

She wanted a Tangled cake, so I made her an oreo ice cream cake with purple ice cream frosting. She really loved it.




Later, we had a princess party for her with her friends.




They all dressed up as princesses and had tea and cucmber sandwiches and learned how to hold their pinky out and eat daintily.... along with popping balloons with their bums and playing tag in the yard. You know, things all princesses do.


Novalee, Lindsey, Evany, Kate, Hylton. This picture makes me laugh, because it looks like the boy is trying to figure out the mysterious ways of girls. Don't worry, Hylti- it's a life-long process.
My sister, Brandy, so very generously offered to take Sterling to Chuck E Cheese during the party, which was a tremendous help and Hylton didn't mind tagging along with the girls, for the most part.


Princess Evany


Sterling learned how to ride his bike on his own. He's only had it for 3 years, but never had any interest in riding it- even with training wheels, so I thought it was a lost-cause. On a whim, I took the training wheels off one day and left it in the garage. Not too long after, Sterling asked me to pump up the tires and he took off down the patio and onto the grass. So much for learning-curve!




So, this may be the only home-improvement project I've done since I've been pregnant and, man, did it feel good to use some power tools! I was able to sit down for most of the project, which made it acceptable for this pregnant lady. Hylton was my little helper, and surprisingly, was able to get me some small tools off the shelf. He may have a future in home-improvement.




Our computer tower was getting overheated in this small cabinet with no airflow and we had been temporarily using a clip-fan until the clip-fan gave up the ghost. So, basically, this is just how things go around here- don't fix it until it becomes crisis, because other things are at the top of the list.


We broke out the baby highchair to watch cousin Sadie for a night and Hylton showed his softer side by babying Crusoe with snacks.


And his tough-guy side, riding in his chariot.


Here's my other tough-guy with his karate moves.


This is what they call "dance party." They dress up in their finest, have us put on music, and then they dance for us. It's awesome entertainment.


(Lisa, Carly, Rachel, me, Stephanie, Kristy, Ciara, Julie, Naomi)
I had another birthday somewhere in there. I don't want to talk about it.
Luckily, Lisa and Julie were having birthdays too, so we combined them and had a Big Fat Greek Birthday party with Greek food and big hair. Ciara definitely won biggest hair! Have I mentioned that I love my friends? They are the best.


Evie ended up losing her two front teeth due to kissing the curb in June. The dentist had to pull them both, so she got a little extra from the tooth fairy... and of course, the traditional business card... you know, for future business. The tooth fairy makes bank on the black market. Really, it's all a racket, if you ask me.




I have to document the only pretty things in my yard... they are so few right now. This one was a surprise. Doug had obligingly left it un-dug and un-sprayed last year, but it was so damaged that it didn't produce flowers, so I had no idea that they were pink! They were so pretty!


Soon we'll have three of these... I often wonder if the new model with look so much like the other two...


More pretty things that make me happy.






And... something not-so-pretty. We've been seeing these guys around for the first time and we think it might have to do with the abundance of dirt for funneling around the house this year. This is one that freaked out Sterling in the kitchen one night and I had to crunch it with a shoe. Doug documented it for identification, so imagine my horror when I found this picture on my camera! Bleck! Doug found another one under a pile of laundry he was folding on our bed- the washcloth moved a bit just before he picked it up. Definitely not okay! We took them both to the local extension center and they confirmed that they are Hobos. Joy. Frankly, it makes the many nighttime bathroom trips disquieting, since I keep envisioning stepping on one. As you can see, they are not small!


Hylton turned three last Monday. He got to pick out his own cake. He wanted chocolate with yellow frosting, and orange writing, and the little plastic "Crusoes" (seahorses) that he saw on some of the cupcakes. Spoiled (and opinionated) baby. He was so ecstatic every time he got a birthday card and exclaimed all week long, "It's my birthday! I'm growing bigger, now!"




He got his very first backback to start preschool with in the fall.


Finally, we just got back from camping this weekend. Every time, I swear that I won't go camping again when I'm expecting, but somehow it always happens anyway. Must be dementia. I really do like camping, but I don't like it when I'm large with child. Must... remember...


The kids had a lot of fun playing with their cousins and grandparents and of course, the pool.
The first day we went there, Sterling jumped right in without waiting for us to get everyone ready and in the pool. (Does this surprise anyone?) He lost his noodle and couldn't swim and I looked over in time to see him flailing and sinking in the water- something I will probably never forget. Doug was between me and him, so he was able to jump right in and get him. Sterling very quietly took me apart from everyone later that night to ask me how I saw him and to tell me thank you for watching him and to ask if I would always watch him when he was swimming. I'm pretty sure my heart melted out of my chest. That kind of intense concern and heartfelt appreciation is rare from our little fire-brand, so it meant all the more, I think. Why do children have to give us so many gray hairs??


My mom and Hylton.


Papa Larry was such a good sport with the kids. He towed Hylton and Evie in the boat, and on his back, and caught them all when they jumped. And sprayed everyone else with the water guns like he was 7...


The pool was a nice relief for me from the heat and the baby weight.




Papa and Sterling playing ping-pong camping/Japanese style.


Some poor, burned babies at the end of the trip.

So that is the summary of our summer. The next two weeks are appointments and preschool preparation, and then back to school we go! ...With all of them in school. How strange that will be!