Friday Recap

Tyler's scholarship award! With a couple classmates and his teacher, Miss Caskey. So proud of our little guy.

We got our country on for Keith Urban (well, as much country as we have).

Fantastic concert! Put my guitar skills to shame when I taught Ladybug Music this morning. Little Big Town opened for him and they were great. So nice to sit outside, enjoy the weather and music.

It's Friday

Walk-a-thon today! Thanks to everyone who donated. These two sure love their school.

Award assembly for Tyler later. Keith Urban at the Hollywood Bowl tonight. Hoping for a nice Friday.

Great Sunday

Today was the primary program in our ward. The kids were awesome! (Tyler gave the sweetest talk, too). I'm in the primary presidency and oh my - I am so lucky to know and love all the people in this photo. All the sweet kiddos, leaders I serve with, wonderful teachers. So, so lucky. Especially grateful to know all these little ones, and spend each Sunday with them.

Saturday

Most weeks when we get closer to Friday, Tyler especially starts to complain that he hasn't had enough time to play with his toys. Kids are at school all day, then a couple times in the afternoons we do dance class and karate. Add homework, dinner, bath, books - it gets busy. These two have been home all day and not bored one bit. They love their toys and they love playing together (of course with the occasional argument). Cole is asleep and this is how they kept busy all afternoon.

The other side of the room - the town they created today.

Love that they love being home, love their toys, and love each other.

School Pictures

Tyler - 2nd Grade

 Audrey - Kindergarten

Heart

There has been quite a bit to contemplate this past week. Being home with this guy has sure made me smile. Like our picnic lunch today. His 2nd birthday is creeping up, and I find myself wanting time to go slower and slower. Always my baby, seeing the world through his eyes this week has brought me a lot of peace. Such a gift.

Spoiled Boy

Sometimes, when you're the baby of three and home alone most mornings with mama, you get ice-cream for breakfast and love it! (More like a post-breakfast snack  but still, don't tell big brother and sister.)

Sunday Morning Faces

Just love 'em.

 Cole photobomb.

Shout Out

Today I am grateful for awesome girlfriends who come over to play when hubby is away. Brooke introduced us to Dirty Diet Cokes (couple capfuls of coconut syrup, crushed ice, diet coke, squeeze lots of lime - Yum!) And there was plenty of chips and salsa, and chocolate. Thanks for keeping me company girls! Lots of fun and lots of laughs, happy I know all of you. Wish I had a picture to post of the fancy pjs. ;)

Beggars Can't Be Choosers

I got help! Tyler has been asking me for days if he can make his "special salad", so tonight I let him go for it. He picked out all the ingredients himself, clearly. Lettuce, carrots, craisins, sweet pickles, with crushed graham crackers and honey on top !!! Don't you wish you had dinner at our house tonight?! (We had pizza, too.)

He and Audrey ate it up! Oh. my.

Other stuff - Trader Joe's made me happy today. And their pumpkin greek yogurt is back! I think I bought ten of 'em. Mmmmm.

So happy Fall TV is coming! Adam and I are deep into West Wing reruns, though. Been a fun watch.

I might end up the room mom for Tyler's class if no one else volunteers quick. Hope it's not too much - but I sure love his teacher and class so far, so maybe not a bad thing.

 Sink problem twinners.

Package from Grandpa Faust came today. These two were kind of excited, Grandpa sends some good ones.

Dinner Help

What are you cooking for dinner lately? It's in the 90s or even 100 these days and I don't wanna turn on my stove top let alone the oven. Once the weather turns I'm sure I'll be all about soup and chili and yummy fall pastas, but until then what are ya cookin'? I'm about to do a week of cereal for dinner over here thanks to zero motivation. Help!

Best Girls

Today I'm missing these beautiful faces - Jen, Maureen, and Adriana:

I miss them often, but especially today because last night I saw Austenland with another wonderful group of ladies. Oh my how I wish these three were with me in the theater. 

Once upon a time in our railroad apartment in Astoria, Queens Adriana and I were obsessed with BBC's Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. We would watch it over and over - after auditions, after coat checking at The Met. We would replay parts we loved. We would sit in Futonia (yes we called our living room Futonia because that's all the furniture we could afford - futons!), and watch and rewatch Darcy take a swim in the pond only be to caught by Elizabeth in his wet clothes. Squeal!! And sigh! We assigned parts, and imagined how lovely it would be to "take a turn around the room", pick and arrange flowers in the afternoon. We were Jane and Elizabeth. Jen got sucked in, too. Even Miles ended up with a crush on Mr. Bingley. Then there was Bridget Jones - hello! More Darcy and more Colin Firth! When Adriana and I parted ways as roommates (Adam and I got married) she made sure I had my own set of the DVDs. 

Austenland has me craving a day with these movies and these girls, crackers and a block of brie. Adriana, Jen, Mo - come over! You know I have a fountain in my yard, right? Perfect for taking a turn around.

Poor Thing

Cole is the saddest little sickie. He's had the worst cold for almost a week, and wants everyone to know how miserable he is. I mean, this kid is cute, but oh my we are ready for him to get healthy! (Probably didn't help we took him to the beach the other day.) Grumpy would be a gross understatement. At least he always has his blankie.

In other news it is soooo hot here! Highs over 100. Ugh. And I volunteered in Tyler's class today and am once again in awe of everything teachers do. Amazing! Grateful he seems to have another wonderful teacher this year.

Labor Day Beach Day

Labor Day Weekend always feels like you're saying goodbye to summer. Today felt like we said goodbye to the beach for a while (maybe not, since it's bound to be hot 'til Halloween). Tons of friends, nice and warm, great beach day - we've been lucky to have a bunch of them this summer.

Poor Cole was the only one not thrilled to be at the beach. He was either sad or exhausted and delirious all day long. Covered in sand head to toe.

Just like last year.

And the year before.