Oroville

Our annual house boating trip usually takes place over 4th of July weekend and we always go to Lake Don Pedro. Because of scheduling and a growing family, we went a week earlier and tried out Lake Oroville, up by Chico. The lake was gorgeous and the water was really clear and nice. It has lots of narrow fingers for perfect water skiing and lots of bass for fishing (I caught one). The one downside, according to Lilly, is that we didn't stay for 20 sleeps.

Poop Machine

It only took 6 months, but our little princess FINALLY figured out how to poop. I don't know if it's that she grew out of her dyschesia, or if it was the steady diet of prunes that did the trick. Whatever it was she finally mastered the art. As much of a pain as it is to change stinky diapers at least once a day, it sure is less stressful than once every 10 days or so.

She seems so much more comfortable, especially on her stomach. Before she dreaded tummy time, but now you lay her on her back and she immediately rolls over and tries to pivot and scoot to look around and reach her toys. She's going to be crawling before we know it.

One thing that hasn't changed is her bright smile and happy disposition. When she's happy her eyes twinkle and it melts my heart.

Disney Adventures

Yep. We went back to Disneyland - thank you Annual Passes! More importantly, thank you Grandma & Pa for organizing the trip! All of my sisters, their spouses (minus 1), and kids met down at Disneyland. We also had our great friends Julia and Sven and their two kids visiting from the Netherlands. So you'd think with our huge group we wouldn't get much done. If you're thinking that, you haven't been to Disneyland with our family.

The highlights of the trip, other than the company, were staying at the Grand Californian Hotel, and seeing the new nighttime water show in California Adventure. It was spectacular and worth a trip to the park.

Who are those crazy people behind Ty and Lilly?

Not the best picture, but Ava got picked for Jedi Training

Preschool "Graduation"

Does it really count as graduation when you are headed back to the same school for Pre-K next fall? Why not! It was fun to see the three cousins graduate...even if Jessica is the only one actually going to Kindergarten next year.

I've been really torn about whether or not to let Lilly go to Kindergarten in the fall. Technically she could start, but she only makes the cut-off by a few days. She would be the youngest by far. I figure it is better to hold off, wait another year, and have her be over-prepared, rather than start her too soon. But I have to admit that 5 days a week of free school is tempting, TEMPTING.

New Stuff

We are enjoying some new stuff this week.

* Summer. Ava & Lilly are out of school for the summer. Our school schedule was crazy and I've been really looking forward to having some freedom. We'll see how I feel in a week, but so far I'm really loving summer break. Really, we just have a week until camp starts and I'll be back to packing lunches and getting kids off, but we can blow it off if whenever we want, and it's only for a few weeks.

* Physical therapy. My body has been slowly falling to pieces since my last pregnancy. Turns out I have some bulging discs in my spine that are reaping havoc on my hip, knee, neck, and shoulder. I'm really crossing my fingers that physical therapy will get me back in fighting shape so I can do the things I love.

*Stroller. It is so super fabulous, pushes like a dream, even over grass and playground bark chips, and give my back a break. Naomi loves it just as much as me, but for other reasons. It is much more cozy for her when she is sleeping and she can sit up and see everything when she's awake.

*Tricks. Naomi started doing the sweetest thing today. When I'm holding her and people talk to her, she leans her head on my shoulder. She loves her mommy! That or she's exhausted from being up every couple hours last night.