June 13

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks at Chateau M.C.C.; thanks to the good weather we've had a lot of time to tend to the gardens & yard! And of course, Jack has gotten in plenty of 4 Wheeler time and plenty of playing in the dirt time! Today his friend Stella (from across the street) brought him a box turtle! She already has a couple in her backyard, so she was generous enough to share the wealth! Jack named the turtle "Jack", which is actually pretty original for him considering that he's named all 3 of his fish to this point "Ben"! His pet names & music choice are equally narcissistic: he's been listening to the new Stripes album, which may have something to do with switching up pet names! His favorite track is "The Denial Twist", which isn't actually on the new record, but he thinks it should be & I'm not one to argue with him! Jack is anxiously awaiting soccer camp at the end of the month, and swimming lessons with Stella at the beginning of next month! He's our ever-busy little bee...

And we guess he's rubbed off on his little partner in crime, Lola Lou! For someone who didn't make a peep for the first two weeks of her life, she sure is a noisy little lady now! Mark my words, the girl's going to be a singer! She's got some pipes--any time there's music on, it only takes a couple of minutes before she chimes in! Just ask her godmama and cousin, Madi, who I believe said, "It's hard to watch a movie with Lola, I can't hear anything but her!!" But, she started out with some pretty tough competition for nosiest child in the history of the world, her big bro, who talks incessantly from the instant he's awake until the moment he's asleep! Looks like Ben and I won't have to worry about our side of conversation--as if we could get a word in edge wise!! Besides crooning, Lola has really become a mobile missy, rolling herself all over the place! No tumbles off of anything (yet!), but I suppose there's still plenty of time for that! She's still enjoying veggies over fruits, and is particularly partial to squash and sweet potatoes! She had her first fudgecicle with Mommy tonight, and was ecstatic to be covered in chocolate to prove that she has her Grandma's blood in her!

We missed our peonies this year because of the late frost, but are again in awe of our seemingly hundreds of tiger lilies, day lilies, and bluebells! We planted a rose bush this year in memory of Grandma Rosalie, and have made several potted variations! At Nana's house, Jack & Nana are working on growing some sunflowers! My favorite tree in our vast array, our Mimosa, has started to bloom and the fanned out, hot pink flowers should be coming to poop all over our cars any day now! (Not so much Ben's favorite tree!)

Other than the norm, we've gone to Pizza Hut with Nana & Pop-Pop, met Grandma in Lawrence for some window shopping, went to the Royal's Game with Nana & Pop-Pop, and of course, acquired a new pet! (Hey, at least it's not another dog, right? I have a feeling there are four people out there saying, "Right!" Whoever could it be?!) On a sad note, we also went to a candlelight vigil for a local girl who passed away, but it reminded us just how lucky we are to be able to share each precious day with each other, and with our family & friends! Until next time...