Deja Vu

This is Aunt Jana in her baby pool, Circa 1976.








Some floppy sun hats never go out of style.

Splish Splash--Pt I

It was hot today. I don't mean pleasantly warm. I don't mean slightly humid. It was hot. I expected to see the neighbors running around with pitchforks, directing people to the seventh inner circle. So all my friends in Kentucky, New Jersey, and Delaware can *content edited for the innocent eyes* and quit telling me of the lovely weather you all are enjoying.

T.J. wanted desperately to grill out, so I relented, so long as he provided the means of an oasis in the hazy heat of the day. That he did, with the aid of a baby pool, cold beverages, and an industrial-sized fan.
I suited the baby up in her new giraffe swimsuit--thanks Leslie!--and her new sun hat--thanks Aunt Kadee! I pulled out my vintage bikini and we went outside to check out the pool. Bronwen had only minimal experience with the baby pool to date. She had her feet in it at her birthday, but at that time, the moment I put her bum in the water, she was unhappy.

This time, we took it slowly, and I let explore the water and pool, getting a feel for what was happening.

I think it worked much better.

First, I let her splash around in the water.



Then it was time to stick her feet in the coolness . She decided to wave to her daddy, so proud that she was playing in the pool. She also wanted him to come and join her. Never being one to resist the invitation of a cute girl, T.J. happily took a break from grilling duties and splashed around for a bit.


Bronwen was so happy she kissed him.









To be continued...

The Secret

Please, if anyone out there in my reading audience is aware of the secret, will you please clue me in? I really want input here. To what am I referring, you inquire? Simple: How do you pick a good watermelon? If you have tips about cantaloupe, it will also be welcomed, but the truth is I can usually sniff out a good one of those. For instance, the other day I smelled what promised to be a delicious cantaloupe. The next day I was loading Bronwen into the Jetta and thought to myself, "Self, this car smells like cantaloupe." That is when I realized that when I was putting away my produce the previous day, I never unloaded the cantaloupes I had purchased. I opened the trunk, and those little suckers had rolled out of the bags and hidden themselves neatly behind the stroller. And what of my olfactory delight? Molded. It was disgusting.

That was a disappointment. But I digress.

If anyone has a good tip about picking the right watermelon, please let me know. Oh, honeydew as well--but I'm thinking if you know how to pick a good melon, it has to apply universally, right?

By chance, I just happened to purchase a delicious one this weekend. Anyone who knows me knows of my penchant for fruit. I tend to be quite selfish, too. Of course I share with Bronwen, but TJ...not so much.

If you all saw the pictures from her first taste of watermelon, you are aware that my Bronwen also loves it. That is why I was really happy that the fruit gods were kind enough to smile upon me this once. Enjoy!

Coming Soon

Lots of exciting activities so far this weekend. I will post as soon as I get a spare moment. This isn't one now.

First Birthday Party!

Such a great day to have a party--warm, sunny, and not too humid. Dad and T.J. set up the tents and pools, Mom and I got the food ready. I was especially proud of the duck cake that I made--the bathtub was a rich, dark chocolate (first time making the recipe but definitely NOT the last!) and the duck was a lemon pound cake. I think I'll let the pictures tell the rest.

Getting Ready:
The decorations:Sign says, "Caution, duck crossing"(Note the duck feet across the sidewalk)
Bronwen in the suit Aunt Kadee, Uncle Scott, and the girls gave her:
Some of the guests:Great picture of Natalie kissing a duckThe pools seemed to be a hit!

(It got too hot outside for some)

The cake:I actually wrote her name on it--not too misshapen, I thought! Aunt Jana and Uncle Pete sent the yellow roses:Singing "Happy Birthday":

Tasting the cake:I think she liked it!The gifts:Finally, the birthday girl with her Daddy.
After all the guests left, Bronwen slept for two and a half hours. I think she had a wonderful day!

Congrats to T.J.!

We had an extremely busy weekend, starting Friday with graduation. I was worried that Bronwen was too little for the graduation ceremony, but I have to admit she handled herself like a champ. I came prepared, of course, with a packed lunch for Bronwen and the rest of us. Two slices of turkey, a slice of bread, 6 grapes, and an assortment of Cheerios and graham crackers later, Bronwen was as happy as could be. Of course we had to wait about an hour for the ceremony to begin, and right around that time, her patience was wearing thin. She started walking back and forth, hanging on to the seats in front. This lasted until she fell in the crack between the rows and started to cry (just a little). I scooped her up, whisked her to the back of the stadium and managed to watch T.J. walk across the stage. After that, Bronwen, Mimi, and I went outside to visit Mike the tiger and play until graduation was over. T.J. looked mighty handsome in his cap and gown!

Here we are in front of the tiger cage. I look pregnant, but I'm not. (Note to self: suck in the belly)Since Mike was taking a nap, we took a picture by the tiger statue.I was happy to have Mom and Dad there to share the day. Mom was also invaluable in keeping Bronwen entertained when she grew bored with me. Dad enjoyed giving her a ride on his shoulders as she told us all how old she now is!









After graduation, we headed home to relax and grab a nap. Sadly, the nap part didn't happen for any of us. We then continued onward to BeeBee and PapaDoc's house for the graduation celebration. Bronwen had a great time playing in the grass.



Smelling the flowers with MiMi:

On the swing with Dja Dja:At dinner:and finally, with the graduate and the guests.

Georgia posed by my carrot cake right before TJ helped her cut into it.





It was a great party! Stay tuned for the report of birthday shenanigans.

Dear Aunt Traveling Jan

I really miss you and wish you were here for my shin-dig. I will have your picture out and pretend you are playing with me in my tiny plastic pool.
Many Splashes and love,
Niece Bronwen

P.S. I'll let you borrow my sunglasses if you need them.