Walking in Flip Flops

Walking in flip flops is hard work especially when you're not so coordinated. But Violet has seemed to master the task.

It never ceases to amaze me what this kids will think of doing next.

The Artist at Work

Violet spent a day creating artwork from fingerpaints.

 

She doesn't look too happy while she creating but at dinner last night she was going through Melissa's phone and showed me her artwork.

She also loves to go outside and draw pictures on the sidewalk and driveway with chalk. I'm not sure yet whether or not she has that artistic gene that seems to run in our family. She still eats the crayons that so many restaurants want to give kids while they wait for their meal to be served.

Violet Discovers the Garden Hose

Melissa sent me this video of Violet playing with the garden hose.

She said someone needed to water the grass. I told her it looked like someone needed to cut the grass.

Thursday Night Dinner with Violet Minus Melissa

Thursday night dinner with Dad was a little exciting this week. Melissa had a meeting and couldn't come but Jamie came and brought Violet. During dinner we did our regular ask Violet - "where's Michael", "where's Grandpa", "where's Grandma", "where's Ashley" - and Violet points everyone out. Cute, huh? Then Dad says "where's Momma"? All eyes shot to Violet hoping she wouldn't realize Melissa wasn't there. We dodged a bullet there. I don't think Violet was paying attention.

It's not easy entertaining a 17 month old in a restaurant. But Longhorn Steakhouse has a waiting bench in their lobby offering Teddy Graham snacks for kids. That killed about 5 minutes.

Finishing Touches on the Taylor House

Melissa and Jamie moved into their new house on a temporary occupancy notice. That means they haven't closed yet - that's another story way too long to explain but I think they were anxious to get out of the basement.

Slowly but surely everything is getting completed. The front door and garage doors have been stained and the shutters installed. I just love their landscaping. I'm jealous of the Japanese maple. I'd show pictures of the inside of the home but let's just say it will be quite awhile before everything is put together.

Violet Goes to the Missouri State Fair

Living in Sedalia means going to the state fair each year. At least that's what we did for the 13 years that we lived there. Although the thought of corn dogs and funnel cakes is tempting, since I moved back to Kansas City in 2001 I haven't been back.  I believe that once you see a butter cow, you've seen them all.

But Melissa and Jamie are getting Violet started in craving that yearly visit. The Taylors took a break from the chaos of moving and spent the day at the fair.

Violet is still a little young to ride the rides so Melissa settled for a picture in the MoDOT truck.

I'm sure it won't be long before Violet starts begging to go to the fair. Maybe I'll break my 13 year abstinence and take her next year. The call of fair sticky buns is getting extremely loud!

Their Own Backyard

Jamie had a beautiful fence installed at their new house so Lola and Khloe would be able to run around without being on a leash.

They had a fenced in yard at their old house and since they've been living with me Lola and Khloe have either been on a leash or allowed to run in my yard under adult supervision. That is until Lola decides to either face off with a skunk or run into the water filled ditch.

But Lola's having a little trouble adjusting to her new yard. She can't quite figure out the fence. I think she's just slowly planning her escape.

The Taylors Move Out

I told Melissa and Jamie they could stay with me while they sold their house and built a new one. But they had one year to get this completed before I kicked them out. August 16th was their deadline and they made it with a week to spare.

I'm not going to miss all the toys in the bathtub....

Or the toilet paper sitting on the sink instead of in the holder.

I tend to be a bit claustrophobic so having the doors shut all the time will not be missed.

My OCD really kicks in with all the toys spread around the living room...

And this messy tote full of dog toys. I won't miss this.

The trash can sitting on the bay window ledge has always been an attractive site that certainly won't be missed.

On the top of the list would be these annoying child proof locks which my arthritic hands have trouble opening. And when I forget to relock them, Violet is the first one to point it out. This too will not be missed.

But even with all the inconveniences I will definitely miss seeing this adorable face each and every morning. Even though I will miss the Taylors all I have to do is remember that jeep in my garage and I'll gladly jump in my car and run over to see them. So Melissa, Jamie, Violet, Lola and Khloe - enjoy your new home!

Pool Time with Friends

I got together with my friends Regina and Robin to celebrate Regina's birthday. Instead of the regular lunch date, we took advantage of Regina's many pools at Lakewood to get together.

Two hours fly by fast when trying to fit in all our stories. Robin's birthday is next. It's going to be a little hard to beat our poolside get together.

Michele Goes to the Alps

Some people have all the luck. While I'm stuck at home in the hot humid climate of Missouri Michele is jetting off to Austria to do some hiking in the Alps.

She even had the audacity to send me a picture of her drinking a cooling glass of champagne while sitting in her first class seat waiting for the plane to take off. Now hiking through the Alps would not be the first thing on my "to do" list but everything she does is so exciting. I can't wait to read her blog when she returns.