day 6, date:

We headed back to Grandma's, still in the sweltering heat, but this time it was actually sprinkling!  The kids spent the early afternoon with their grandparents in the backyard while Manny and I went on a date.  Dolly had also gone home to rest and take care of the pets.  Manny and I went to a  major mall, had lunch, and saw The Expendables.  I was excited to see this cast together on screen--these action-hero stars were like a Dream Team--but the movie, specifically the entire script, was just not as good as the ones the individual actors had been in (even White Chicks).  But I'm sure we'll eventually get a good dream-team movie.  This one probably relied too much on that.  Rental at best.  When we returned, Lucas was just a happy clam, and Naomi was hoping we'd stay out longer.  They had so much fun running through the sprinklers, which should have been recorded, but Manny and I were just too tired/lazy.  We didn't really capture much of anything on video this go around.  Our hands were too full.  I think Chris has more video of us than we do.  :)

I'm really thankful we were able to go.  I came back really refreshed.  I had started Naomi's school a week early to account for it.  I feel like I need to have breaks in my routine.  Manny is just the opposite--he's more of a momentum person, and shake-ups to his routine take a lot out of him.   But we both are big on completing our work/duties, whatever way we get there.  When we returned, I factored the hours lost for my women's bible study, so I was up till 1 a.m. every night before Wednesday to make up for that time.  Also, after two years, I am finally on my last page in Lucas's mini-scrapbook.  I think I had only 5-10 minutes every week to work on it (I do a lot in 5- to 10-minute increments, because I can't leave things unfinished, but I also don't have much free time).  The trouble with this last page is that it's supposed to be the list of Lucas's milestones/firsts, and I had that info on a hard drive that was erased.   So I'll be searching through this blog... 

misc updates:

Lucas has a runny nose. If he has a tired cry at night, I let him be, but if it's his uncomfortable or hungry cry, I'll get up. I also worry a little when it wakes Naomi up. He isn't napping as well as before. I am really exhausted physically, but I cherish the bonding time, even if it's three in the morning. He's not really the one that wears me out, though. :)

We went to the park yesterday with Baby Thomas, Baby Beth, Tyler, Kyle, and their mommies. I think (ok, I know) I talked too much. It's hard for me to think before I speak when I'm tired (which is pretty much all the time, so I need to get off that excuse). No photos. Hands full.

I make a scrapbook calendar for my mother-in-law each year. This year's was a rush job with the time constraints, but the calendar template itself was pretty nice, so I was pleased with it. Here is the slideshow.

Saturday Naomi and I went to Joan's Princess Ariel birthday party. Lucas stayed home with Manny.




We got a virus on our PC. I had to do a system restore (with backup), but it's fine now. I like to use it sometimes just to have XP. Vista is not my favorite OS.

I have to cut all TV out again for the sake of time...except Lost. It's on again tonight. At this point, I've already forgotten why they need to go back to the island. But I can tell you there was a Dharma logo on the old computer Ms. Hawking was using. :P

And last week's dinners: Asian noodles with shrimp, steak/potatoes/baby broccoli, beef and vegetable fried rice, grilled chicken with capers/pasta/salad, and one more I've forgotten.

2006 scrapbook:

this one was much simpler. i got some cheap but pretty layout paper, cropped some photos, and slapped them on. took me just a few weeks to finish this one. the hardest part was having to omit certain events and pictures. 12x12 album from a 3-album set (9.99 at joann's). it's funny how scrapbooks can dress up one event and downplay another. either way, they're cool cuz they make it seem like you have a life. haha.

2006 Scrapbook

naomi's first year scrapbook:

I'm finally about 99% finished with the scrapbook for Naomi's first year. The 8x8 album was a gift from my friend Katie (Ed & Katie, those who know them), and I loved finally being able to work on it. I did the majority of it when we went down to visit the grandparents last year. It was pretty difficult to select just a few photos and to shrink some down to fit in the album. The family tree page is the one that I haven't completed yet. Enjoy!

Naomi's First Year