The Official List

Okay...here it is.  This is in no particular order. :)

The Official Summer 2012 List

1.  Wash comforter
2.  Read the second and third book of the Hunger Games
3.  Thursday night concert series at Utica Square
4.  Homemade popsicles in the new gadget I just got
5.  Visit Vivi's great grandparents in NY
6.  Farmer's market Saturdays
7.  Buy a wood floor cleaner and use it
8.  Seafood buffet at the casino with my teacher friends
9.  Visit cousins
10.  Splash Pass
11.  Grandpa Bob's visit in July
12.  Santa Fe wedding in July
13.  Sand and paint Vivi's new table and chair set
14.  Power wash deck
15.  Dine al fresco
16.  Go to the park
17. Go to the zoo
18. Riverside splash park
19.  Try new recipes
20.  Summer play dates with friends
21.  Play outside at least once a day
22.  Keep plants alive
23.  Put iTunes on phone
24.  Use all of my gift certificates
25.  Make lavender oil

and last but not least,

26.  Finish wedding album (this has been on the list three years and counting....)

Summer List

Source: megduerksen.typepad.com via Caryn on Pinterest

I love this idea.  Make a list of things to do over summer vacation....I think I'm going to do this, but I really need to think about this for a little bit.    Today was my first official day of summer.  Vivi had her 18 month appointment this morning.  We came home and she napped for almost 3 hours.  I got caught up on the Bachelorette and made my grocery list.  When Vivi woke up we went to the grocery store.  Made shrimp tacos for dinner.  Played outside.  Pretty good first day of summer.  Tomorrow I have to clean this neglected house and pay bills.  After that, I'm ready to play!  Stay tuned for my 2012 Summer List! :)

Piggies!

Vivi has FINALLY let me put her hair in pigtails!  They are a little crooked, but I had to work fast.  I just love my little sweet pea!  Frank and I laughed all night as she pranced around in her piggies.  She kept going to the mirror in our bedroom to check herself out.  Too cute!

Happy Birthday Josie

Vivi's best friend, Josie, recently turned one!  I just love my creative friends...had to share some photos!  Josie's dad, Matt, made this outside chalkboard.  It looks great and I'm sure Josie (and maybe Vivi too) will have a lot of fun with this!

The birthday girl...SO cute!

Simple tables, bubbles, colorful lanterns hanging from the tree, hot dogs....just perfect!

Josie's birthday is in April....this was at the front door and goes with the "April Showers..." theme.  Gotta love chalk markers!

Friends forever....

MY friend forever...with her baby girl....

It's rare to have a picture of Vivi and me together since I'm always the one taking the pictures.  I had to post this even though Vivi has a sour-puss face.  Oh well!

Weekend Growth

Home Sweet Home....for now.  We've looked at a few more houses these past few weekends.  Nothing to write home about.  It's a good thing we're not in any rush because we just can't find what we want....yet.  It's too bad we can't combine bathrooms from one house with a kitchen from another with the neighborhood of another.  I know our house is tiny, but it's in great shape. (Well, our garbage disposal did just break this weekend...oops!) So, it's hard to see houses that are 2 1/2 times the price of this little house and in horrible condition.  So here are a few pictures of some things I appreciate!

The flowers Vivi helped me with are looking quite nice, if I do say so myself!

The ferns are up....summer can begin!

My nephew Drew gave away little pine trees as party favors for his birthday.  His party was the weekend of Earth Day.  Cute idea, huh?  We planted it in a pot so we can take it with us some day.

I have not planted new herbs yet, but my oregano is flourishing!

Ah...I love my lavender.  I'll probably dig it up and take it with me if we ever move.  It's blooming now and smells oh so good!

This little orchid was a birthday gift and it originally had two stalks.  When I got it, it was in bloom and gorgeous.  I put it on my kitchen window ledge, even though the directions said no direct light and preferred humid conditions.  Well, in a short amount of time the flower petals fell off and one stalk completely dried up.  Oops!  So, I moved this guy to the bathroom and it's turned a new leaf...no pun intended.  It's actually about to bloom again.  I'm so happy I didn't kill it and it makes our bathroom look a little spa-like.  You can't go wrong with that!  Have a good week!

Farmer's Market

I just LOVE the farmer's market and I'm so happy that it's the season again.  Vivi and I went this morning and had a great time.  She loved all of the babies and doggies...like they were all there just for her!  We sat on the curb and listened to the Irish band for a little bit.  On cue, two cute little girls about 4 years old grabbed hands and started dancing right in front of Vivi.  There are a few things Vivi just loves in this world; babies, little boys/girls, dogs, music, and dancing.  I think we need to go every Saturday.

I wasn't in the mood for planting today, due to my HORRIBLE seasonal allergies, so I passed on the herbs.  Although, my herb garden needs some serious love.  I think I'll wait another week or two.  My lavender is about to bloom, so that will tide me over for awhile.  I bought this beautiful bunch of flowers for only $5 bucks, a croissant for V and me to share, and an iced chai tea.  It was a pretty good morning if I do say so myself.  Happy weekend!

Sunday Helper

Here's my little sidekick....always a helper!

Back from Lowes, early this morning, sunshine in eyes...

Vivi got a new purple princess shovel today to help Mommy!

And what a big help she was!

Oops...I got my tooshie wet!

I better water these shrubs too while I'm at it....

Almost done...

Whew...this watering can is heavy!

Sometimes you just need a little rest.

The final product....this took three times as long as if I did it without my little helper, but it wouldn't have been as much fun! :)

Happy Sunday!