kara

Andy’s mom was in town for her birthday, which was July 14th, so we were all able to celebrate with dinner at Trio’s, and cake and presents back at our house. Happy birthday, Jill!

“There is still no cure for the common birthday.” —John Glenn

It had been a long day of working on the house. It was after midnight. Andy let Tucker out, then back in, then immediately back out. I actually like the smell of a skunk from a distance. I’ve never smelled one so close, though. And now the smell was on Tucker (who, unfortunately, got sprayed in the face), on Andy (who, unfortunately, used his hands and body to force Tucker back outside) and in our house (which, unfortunately, took a good couple days to get out).

I mixed Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 tsp of liquid soap in a spray bottle, and gave it to Andy and his dad so they could try their best to get the smell off of Tucker. I opened windows, set up a box fan and hoped the smell would be gone by the time we listed our house (it is).

Usually Tucker sleeps with us, but because the smell still (strongly) lingered, we set up his crate for the night—which Sophie LOVED discovering the next morning and which Tucker kindly shared that day.

“Sometimes when you get in a fight with a skunk, you can’t tell who started it.” —Lloyd Doggett

This summer has been so much fun. I’ve been able to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Uhl so much! First they came for Dad’s birthday, then they came for an entire week to help us get our house ready to put “on the market,” something Mom and Dad talk about constantly although I have no idea what it means except that our house is clean all the time now and our yard has never looked prettier, thanks to Grandpa. And now we’re in Boston visiting them! But these are just some pictures from when they were in Ft. Thomas.

Grandma and Grandpa let me do things Mom and Dad never let me do, like take dog food out of the dog food container and feed Tucker. Trust me. It’s so funny. Tucker gets so, so excited and then he licks you and then everyone laughs and you can do it like 100 times.

Grandma also let me play with her Blackberry. She even showed me the fun buttons to push!

She also played blocks with me …

and read my pop-up book to me 100,000 times. I did. not. like. it. when Mom put it back on the bookshelf.

Anytime I saw Grandma playing Babble …

I insisted on helping.

We also went to Dad’s softball game.

I gave Grandma and Grandpa a bit of a break and played with my new friend.

We liked to swing our legs and kick the mulch together.

After the game Grandma let me play in the water fountain.

“The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is that they have a common enemy.” —Sam Levenson

I recently had the privilege of attending Connor’s baptism.

Family and friends, including Angel and Zoey, gathered for food after at Christine’s parents’ house.

Congratulations, Connor!

“Baptism is, in fact, much more than a ritual conferring membership in a community, as many people conceive it nowadays. It is a process of birth, through which a new dimension of life opens out.” —Peter Seewald

The Sunday after Fourth of July we had a delicious steak dinner on the porch at my parents’ house while …

Sophie played with her basket of toys outside.

Then we played with a ball while waiting for it to get dark outside.

Once dark, Sophie was practically asleep in my lap.

This, however, worked out perfectly for the fireworks, which were close enough to be clearly visible but far enough away to be not so loud (a large church close to my parents’ house does an impressive show each year). So Sophie, half-asleep, watched them in a dazed state, eyes open but not scared.

“Everything is created from moment to moment, always new. Like fireworks, this universe is a celebration and you are the spectator contemplating the eternal Fourth of July of your absolute splendor.” —M. Scott Peck

July 5th we enjoyed amazing seats at the Reds game thanks to tickets Andy got from his parents for his 30th birthday.

Sophie enjoyed her first Popsicle …

… which she loved.

Andy enjoyed all the free food!

The game, unfortunately, wasn’t too exciting (Reds lost).

It was a perfect present.

“A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.” —Humphrey Bogart

This year I was so excited to take Sophie to the Ft. Thomas Fourth of July parade.

We walked to the end of my good friend Linda’s street, so as to watch the parade with her.

Sophie saw bands, …

fire trucks and engines, …

the lawn chair brigade, …

floats and …

well, this!

After the parade ended we fled to Linda’s porch to avoid the rain.

Happy Fourth of July!

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” —Erma Bombeck

This year I got to go to Jenna’s birthday party! I played with my new friend Olivia …

slid down Jenna’s slide and …

fell asleep on a quilt, while Mom, Dad and all of Jenna’s friends watched a movie outside!

(Mom can’t believe she didn’t get a picture of Jenna on her birthday.)

Happy birthday, Jenna!

“Believing hear, what you deserve to hear:
Your birthday as my own to me is dear …
But yours gives most; for mine did only lend
Me to the world; yours gave to me a friend.” —Martial

1. Pick restaurant. This time, the new Pergola in Ft. Thomas.

2. Attempt to eat lunch. Give toddler portion of your lunch you specifically chose thinking she’d like it. Plead with her to not scream or cry.

3. Give up. Take turns walking with toddler-who-refuses-to-eat while other parent eats as quickly as she can.

“The age of your children is a key factor in how quickly you are served in a restaurant. We once had a waiter in Canada who said, ‘Could I get you your check?’ and we answered, ‘How about the menu first?'” —Erma Bombeck