Harry Potter & The Half-blood Prince

Quite a few years back we began an Elmer family tradition called the "Annual Trip to the Movies". It's so much fun to get the extended family together for that "must-see" film.

This year we saw, "Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince".

Though I thought the movie could have been a bit better...

I never regret an evening out with my sweetheart!

Should we have a bit of snogging, eh?

Where are my Pencils?

At

Miss Isabella's
House of School

She has been busy, busy rounding the younger children up for daily lessons. The little ones have loved it and work so hard! I love when they come out after hitting the books ready for P.E. or a visit to the "cafeteria" for lunch.

And yes,
I am the cafeteria lady.

Ballet Storytime

We've been long overdue in getting ourselves to the library for a free summer program, and when I checked the schedule I was excited to see that the Placer Theater Ballet Company was giving a story time at Roseville's Downtown Library.

I started getting ready at 7:30 in the morning to ensure we'd get to the 10:30 AM show on-time! I'm notorious for being late and didn't want to miss this! Luckily, everything went smoothly and the kids nabbed some front row seats.

I'm so glad we made the effort because the story time was magical! The girls were breathtaking in their Nutcracker costumes and the stories were wonderful!

Afterwards they taught us the 5 positions of ballet, and even demonstrated ballet en pointe!

Though they were gracious enough to pose for a photo, Owen was not! He hung to the side adamantly refusing to get anywhere near the dancers!

Before we left the girls accepted the invitation to touch the costumes.

They were in awe!

And so was I!

Mahaney Park: Roseville's Newest Playground for all Abilities

This new park is located directly behind the Martha Riley Library at Mahaney Park. It's part of Project Play, which works to create barrier-free and sensory rich playgrounds for children of all abilities.

Isabella plays with one of many fun water features.

The kids absolutely LOVED the sand pit that you could fill with water.

Just a few words of caution:

If you're planning a visit to the library too, make that your first stop.

And bring a towel and maybe and extra pair of shorts!

This is only Phase I, which is designed for children 5 and under. Renderings of Phase II , which is designed for children over 5, can be found on site. What they have planned is truly spectacular and we can't wait to see it come to life!

We had a great time and hope to see you there too!

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Of course! I love my husband!

Do I sometimes like to drive him crazy?

Most definitely yes!

Recently we agreed to surprise the girls with the movie, "Ever After". We bought it when it was on sale and were keeping it for just the right time. Samuel went to get it from our closet, but couldn't find it. After we checked several places, it looked like no surprise movie-at least not that night.

You'd think that would be the end of it. But no. My husband is my mother's son. Like her, they are incredibly determined to hunt relentlessly for an item until it is FOUND! Sure enough, over an hour later, he was still looking. Finally he called off the hunt to hold Gabriel, and as I was walking down the hall it struck me where the DVD was. Sure enough, I found it.

(And no, I didn't know where it was all along.)

Anyway, I came out with it and of course he wanted to know where I found it.
That's where I'm mean.

I wouldn't tell him.

I still won't.

Because it's driving him crazy...as you can see below!

I love you honey!

Summer Blues

Does anyone else feel like summer is slipping away! I am so bummed that we are mid-way through July and hurtling toward August!

Make it slow down!

The American River

What better way to spend the day then dangling your feet in the cool water, skipping rocks, and picking wild blackberries?

We had such a great time we went back for more the very next day!

Back in high school I jumped off the Folsom Rainbow Bridge to the sound of police sirens in the background. Come on, you know some of you jumped too!

Right?

Owen couldn't get over all the rocks.

It was a wonderful "stay-cation".

One that we'll definitely do again!

Birthday Sunday: Owen

Because there are so many grandchildren on the Elmer side of the family, we celebrate birthdays on the 3rd Sunday of every month.

For now, Owen is the only birthday in June, and we celebrated with a homemade ice cream cake!

As soon as we start singing, the cousins swarm!

Everyone is anxious to offer their candle-blowing services!

This year, Grandma Clista bought Owen this water spouting ball! Since it was a sweltering evening, Samuel promptly blew it up, hooked it up to the hose, and soaked the kids.

Sundays and The Slug

Sunday is the day of rest.

And in our house, it's also when the slugs comes to life!

Iris is our Slug!
Her method of play-fighting and tickling is unique. She just sort of drapes her body over her victims and renders them immobile as they giggle and giggle under the weight of her body.

She comes by it honestly though.
The King of Slugs is, after all, none other than her father, Samuel.

They are a force to be reckoned with, but with some teamwork it's possible to bring them down.

Okay, never mind.
No one can dominate these two!

But it sure is fun to try!

Stay Awake!

Samuel and I have always had success in coaxing our new babies onto regular sleeping schedules by encouraging them to stay up until 11:00 PM or so.

I'm not saying it always works, because as you can see, sometimes they don't like to cooperate!

In the end, Gabriel was just down-right annoyed with his persistent parents, and we let the poor guy snooze for a bit.

It's okay, 3 AM feedings only last for a time. And I know once their gone, I'll miss them.

Maybe!