Short rambling post

It's been a while since an update, and even longer since my last ramble - so here goes:
1. For Father's Day, TCMH created a Memory Book (on Snapfish) that contained all my rants and lists from the day Owen was born all the way up to now. She put the text on the left hand page, with pictures related to it on the right. Hardbound, 68 pages - came out really really nicely. The best Father's Day present a guy could want. She's such a great wife.
2. Owen will start at a local Montessori in August. Our nanny is going back to school 2 days a week, and he'll be in the Montessori those days. We want him to be around more kids his age, so this works out well.
3. We're going to be putting a sunroom onto the back of the house. This will act as one of our offices when the new baby girl arrives. Speaking of that -we've narrowed down the list of names. Not telling what they are though! You'll have to guess. Well, maybe I'll tell you later. Hehehehehe.
4. I'm amazed by how quickly things grow. The stuff we planted last year along our back fenceline is already growing ABOVE the fenceline. The reason I can tell this is that we're putting together our last year's photo album - and the comparison is just nutty.
5. We're only a year behind in our photo albums. Is this normal? Are you one of those people that prints out photos weekly and puts them into albums, or do you NEVER put photos into albums? Leave a comment with your modus operandi.
6. Owen knows about 40 different baby signs and he's made up one or two for things we usually have around the house (like the goldfish crackers gets a specific sign) but everything is still "DAH" vocally.
7. It's already been over 100 degrees here 3 days in a row. UGH. At least it's a dry heat - which does actually make some sense.
8. Went to a Tudor Faire this weekend - i.e. Renaissance Festival. Typical stuff - people dressed like pirates, knights, peasants, etc. Did two loops around the stalls, ate, drank and bought a new ceramic mug. Watched a few shows (including some bellydancers that made me look slim!) and came home. Fun and not too exhausting. I miss the MD Ren Faire tho - that one is amazing.
9. The cat got out overnight on Saturday. Not quite sure how she managed it. She's hasn't even gone near a window since then. Being outside freaks her out.
10. We're on vacation next week! Holy cow, it's next week! Now I'm in a panic to get packed! Mum flies out on the 3rd, then we all leave on the 4th - Aloha! No points for guessing where we're going...

Tickling his knees while swinging

is guaranteed to make him giggle. Seems like we've been to a lot of parks lately.

The answer is...

sleeping peacefully after having worn himself out playing with Owen!

What's Grandpa doing?

Owen goes to investigate...

This cracked me up at the store.

Definitely his father's son...

playing with the Dunkin Donuts coffee. And we wonder where he gets all his energy!

Hot days

call for a cool tub! We lowered the spa to 80 degrees. Makes for a pleasant splash!

Footie pajamas

still also rule. Although we've switched him to cotton now that it's summer.

Picnic Crashing Ducks!

Would be a good name for a rock band... Well, maybe not.

Supper Club last month...

Was a picnic - quite nice - a lovely evening for it. What are Larry and Mike looking at?

Babies in Sunglasses

STILL RULE!

Helping Dad wash the car.

I think he got more soap on his shoes than on the car.

Office switch...

after we did the carpet, TCMH and I switched offices. Here Owen hangs out with Commander Dad (i.e. we both have headsets on!)

He is his Dad's son...

And Potty-Training is going REALLY well. Thanks to TCMH for the update.

We've been busy...

and growing like a weed.

I'm not hiding...

unlike Owen here. I've just been a blogging slacker.

Potty Training breakthru

We've been working with Owen on the potty - focusing on the harder task of the #2. Today, he walked up to me and told me he needed to go (he has 2 different signs) and then when I put him on the potty he actually went. I'm just so happy.

This reminded me of Pete's Informational Update post back in July 20th, 2006.

The bigger swing wasn't as interesting...

as the little girl that was in the swing next door!

We took Owen to the local farmer's market

and they have this killer park right next door. Do you think he still likes the swings?

Nobody parties like Grandpa Frank...

Can you have more fun than this legally?

And this is after...

Ooooh, shiny new carpet....

This is how boring this blog is...

We got new carpet - here's the BEFORE picture of Pete's office. Note the clean spot where the carpet protector was for the desk...

Morning walks...

are usually now about getting a cup of coffee at our local Starbucks. Say what you will, that cup of coffee helps me get started in the morning...

We also got to see Grandpa on the train!

He was fireman that day.

Babies in hats and sunglasses

RULE! He kept them on most of the day!

Memorial Day weekend Jazz Festival

In Old Town Sacramento - what a hoot!

Tagged By Kristin of Candy Sandwich...

Is this meme:
1. Add a direct link to your post below the name of the person who tagged you. Include the city/state and country where you are.
Nicole (Sydney, Australia)
velverse (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
LB (San Giovanni in Marignano, Italy)
Selba (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Olivia (London, England)
ML (Utah, USA)
Lotus (Toronto, Canada)
tanabata (Saitama, Japan)
Andi (Dallas [ish], Texas, United States)
Todd (Louisville, Kentucky, United States)
miss kendra (los angeles, california, u.s.a)
Jiggs Casey (Berkeley, CA, USA! USA! USA!)
Tits McGee (New England, USA)
Kat (Ontario, Canada)
Cheezy (London, England)
Paula (Orange County, California, U.S.)
Jeff (Colorado, USA)
Fringes (around Houston, US)
A Million Paths (Queens, NY)
Candy Sandwich (Washington, DC)
Higgy's Mindnumbingly Boring Blog (Sacramento, CA)

2. List your top five local eating places.

The Hungry Hollow - a little greasy-spoon diner around the corner from our house. Walking distance, friendly folks and fairly inexpensive. They know us there, and we've gotten to know most of the regulars (at least that eat there on Saturday Mornings!)

Mikuni's - sushi place - expensive, but the best sushi we've had yet. We try a new roll every time, and I don't think we've been let down yet. They have an off-shoot location at a nearby mall call Taro's which is also quite good.

Sher-e-Punjab - local Indian buffet - although we've only ate IN there a couple of times. Much easier to call up, order food and go pick it up - usually by the time I get there, it's done. Small, friendly staff - and delicious food. The Chicken Makhani and the Chicken Saag are our usuals. Fairly inexpensive too.

Rio City cafe - on the riverfront in old town Sacramento. The Sunday brunch cannot be beaten. One of our favorite places to sit, eat and watch the water activity. There's a ton of stuff to wander to after you're done, so it's a great location.

Slocum House - while a bit on the posh side, if you eat outdoors in the summer, they have chickens free-ranging around! Every meal we've had there has been fantastic. Very pricey, but worth every penny.

3. Tag 5 other people (preferably from other countries/states) and let them know they’ve been tagged.

We'll tag Slyeyes, Melodie, Kafaleni, Peri and Leetie! Everyone else, feel free to put your versions into the comments!