absolutely me

This weekend, we went to a farm near our home. It was gorgeous weather, kids were petting the animals... so, I actually escaped for a few minutes and started looking around. I always loved photography, but I haven't taken pictures just for the sake of taking pictures since I was in college, on my last semester of photography (I took three... not that you can tell, anyways!). So, it was kind of nice to look around and catch a few. Not good at all, but at least I felt that kind of "rush" you get as a photographer... it was strange, but a cool kind of strange: But then, Connor found me again, and it was back to taking pictures of the family... And of course, there's Coco's first day of school. Connor was so proud of his sister, he would not step aside for the picture. Then, he wanted to "walk" to school, with his backpack on tow... I need to take a stroller next time. He was sitting on the sidewalk, crying because he wanted me to carry him. NOT fun to carry...

WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I WENT OUT WITH THIS???? Yup... this is Brian making an OBSERVATION in our neighbor's backyard... I know I should not take this man out with me like this, but what can I say??? I love my nerdy husband! Love this park in the Oswego downtown area. But i definitely made a mental note to make sure that Coco wears shorts or a skort next time... dresses kind of get in the way. We finally got rid of the back wheels in Coco's bike. She is so excited and I still can't believe how much she has grown. She has two more teeth ready to move on... Cesar came back from his vacation time with his dad with a new friend... he brought a snail. I'm not that thrilled, but as long as I don't see it too often, I guess it's ok . He brought also his magic kit and was entertaining the neighborhood kids with his tricks. Doesn't he look so cute in his tie? And finally, Coco and I went for hair cuts yesterday, and came back to find Connor sitting on daddy...

Not much going on around here... just a very pleasant summer. Loads of chocolate ice cream and back yard fun... Loads of sleepovers (wake up, sleepy bonehead!), and loads of watery fun... Loads of friends over and fun places to eat... Loads of Rings around the Roseys... Tons of fun faces and new bear-y good new friends... LOADS of catching Cesar off guard (HA! Take that, no-picture-boy!!!)... Tons of butterflies on our butterfly bush (they DO work! How about Cesar's pix of this one, huh? not bad for a first timer!)... And lots of friends that we don't get to see in years! This is Coco's Godmother, Eve. We were sooo happy to see her when she came to visit us over the weekend!... Blissful... I love summer!

Are these the most beautiful blue eyes? Happy birthday, my Irish red bearded hubby!!! Brian is leaving today for a 3 day golf outing with his friends. He comes back on Sunday, but he will be going straight to the airport, where he will be leaving for Florida on a business trip (poor, poor little thing!) Ok , now, look closely at Coco's face. Do you see them? She has freckles! Who in the world is tanned AND has freckles??? I guess her Irish side is showing. It's just too cute. Love Connor playing with spiders and trucks. Just like a boy would! And here he goes, wearing his big sister's shoes. He's just a monkey We've been taking time to go to the pool in our neighborhood. Connor is a little bit difficult to go with. He demands to be left by himself in the pool (with a floating vest, of course!), but then he gets mad because he floats around and ends up with his face in the water. I lift him up, he gets mad, I let go of him, his face turns to the water, repeat... NOT ...

I cannot believe the Block party came around so soon! We had a very nice time with new neighbors... These are Maddy's parents, Sean and Linda, and her big brother Steve. Maddy is Coco's BFF. They are always spending the night over, either here or their home. They are a nice family, we're really happy to have them as our new friends. And of course, the bike race... we really need to get Coco to use the bike without the back wheels. She was a little too big for the tricycle! We had our Republican Senator, Chris Lauzen, come and visit. He was so impressed to meet Cesar, he extended an invitation for him to come and visit him to the senate in Springfield. Cesar wants to organize other kids and families in the neighborhood to go as well... And of course, we had our local heros, the firemen. This fireman, Mike, told me my face was familiar, and I told him that one time, as I was pregnant with Connor, they had to come and get me from my bed, down the stairs and to the hospital in...