Friday

Layla started pre-school this past week and I pick her up on Fridays to take her home since Janie works most Fridays.  Miss Marsha's is about halfway between my office and our house so it works out fairly convenient for me to take her home and eat lunch at home.  I snapped a few pictures while I was at home with my new camera.  It is nothing special, just something I can put in my pocket.  It does have wireless internet to send photos.  I will probably never use that feature like most of the features on my cell phone.  

Janie and I actually got two dates in this week.  On Monday Janie's Uncle Dave, who does the sound for Phantom of the Opera, got us some great tickets. The stage is amazing and the show is pretty good.  Of course, the sound is amazing tickets.  Coincidentally, it was Dave's 1,000th show.  Then on Friday, we went to dinner and a movie for Nicole's birthday.  Yesterday, I took the kids to Rock and Roll Kids for a make-up class.  I am sure the other mothers at the class thought Avery was homeless.  I was in a hurry so I grabbed her out of the crib, where I had left her wearing a dirty onesie complete with dried oatmeal on her face.  I am sure that combined with a black eye from earlier this week raised a few eyebrows.  The kids had a great time.  Avery even got involved as she is walking all over the place now.  We came back and and the kids made some bagels before nap time.  I mopped the floor and we could actually walk around the house with bare feet for about four hours.  

Yesterday, we took the kids to the UNLV v. Utah State football game and they loved it.  We were there with Eric and Diane and Tyson, Kathleen, Devon and Tyler.  Eric gave Harley a piece of licorice, which he fit the whole piece in his mouth and was asking for seconds.  He also made good friends with the family in front of him and they shared their cotton candy with Harley and Layla.  While the mother was distracted Avery even tried to get a sip of  the mother's beer.  Fortunately, she was unsuccessful.  It is scary how much Avery acts like her big brother.  This morning, I was feedomg her some oatmeal.  She watched Harley blow on the oatmeal on his spoon to cool it off, so she blew on the very next bite I gave her before eating it.  She also goes around and sips on everyone's drink, which Harley is notorious for doing.  

Well it is time to sign off as I know the kids will be up shortly ready to go.  

Summer Vacation

We have been gone 2 weeks in August and so much has happened in the past few months that I wanted to jot down a few things.

I decided that August is probably the best month to not be in Las Vegas and I couldn't pass up another Goleta trip with Aunt Barb.  This time I strung my mom along for the ride hoping to get some quality time with her and the kids.  I love being away from home, not worried about my work and home stuff.  Mom and I drove the kids down on Tuesday morning which became a terrible mistake.  Every parent knows that driving at NIGHT with kids is the best.  It has just taken me a few times to figure that out.  We spent every day at the beach and one day in Solvang.  Layla and Harley got to pick out a toy at the little old toy store there, just one of my little traditions starting the year before.  Everywhere we went Layla worked on her magnet paper doll set and Harley was busy with the new motorcycle he picked out.  My dad always had a few rules when the family went on vacation;  there's no such thing as Sunday and the money grows on trees.  I've tried to live by these rules and add a few of my own.  Anyway, it was so nice this year to be right next to the best free hotel breakfast ever and the pool.  It was really hard to be with the kids without James but it was still worth it.  One of the last nights my mom had me move the pack and play right onto the courtyard and it was the greatest idea ever.   Avery could be outside and I wouldn't have to be grossed out at the next thing she was licking or playing with.  Layla and Harley were always in the pool or at the beach.   We had the best time and the weather was pretty perfect.   James met me down there on Thursday night to spend one more day at the beach with him.  We came home Saturday, I worked another week and then took off again to be with the kids down in Oceanside, CA.  I forgot my camera that trip but wanted to jot a few things down.  Sorry no pictures.