GRANDFATHER, FATHER, DAUGHTER DAY

This morning grandpa came over to help papa fix the fence post that leads into our backyard. As usual Mimi was the supervisor and making sure everything was done correctly. During the dry weather is when one needs to get the gutters cleanned out and the house repairs done before the windstorm season hits which is in October/November.

BAILEY'S BIRTHDAY

This month is Bailey's birthday and so her mama Keri decided to have a party for her this evening before they leave for their trip to Utah tomorrow morning.

This morning mama was upstairs getting ready for the day and then she called to Mimi to come up and get ready to go shopping for Bailey's birthday present. When Mimi reached the top of the stairs she asked mama out of the blue "why didn't my China mom (Mimi's foster mom) want me?" We sat down right then and there at the top of the stairs and had a discussion. As soon as Mimi turned 4 years old, was when she started to ask questions about her past. Mama would tell her the story about how we came together as a family using a fairytale format until she gets a little older. So when she asked why her China mom did not want her, mama said that it's not that her China mom did not want her but that she (Mimi) needed us and we most definitely needed her and that we love her so very much. "I love you too mom" Mimi says and gave mama a great big baby bear hug. Then she was on her merry way again. WOW!!! That's what mama thought. For such a young child, she will just blow me away with such deep thoughts. When papa came home for the evening, mama shared this story with him and he said that Mimi has asked him "Why did you choose me?" Like I said, WOW!!!

As soon as Ling Ling arrived, mama took both girls over to Blake and Bailey's, Mimi made the announcement, "Hi everybody! This is my friend Ling Ling. She's Chinese, so you have to say Ni Hao because she speaks Chinese!!!" That's our Mimi. Gawd how we love her soooooooo much!!! It's hard to see in the picture but Keri ran out of birthday hats so she gave Mimi and Ling Ling hats that say Happy New Year!

UNINVITED GUESTS

Since our move up here to the northwest, mama has learned from grandma that one needs to keep their pantry and garage stocked full of non-perishable food especially during the winter season. Mama also learned that there is a family of racoons living behind our backyard. The other night while it was so warm out, mama and papa could hear something climb the trees behind our backyard fence but we could not see anything. Last night about 10 minutes after arriving home from Angie's house, papa went downstairs and turned the garage lights on and said that he found a mama racoon munching on our Cheetos. She hissed at him while he shooed her out, then he heard some kind of warbling sound coming from under mama's SUV and there were her cubs. He shooed them out too. Unfortunately he did not think of taking pictures %$#@~! This is a picutre of what mama found this morning.

BASEBALL LINGO

Ever since mama could remember, her dad (Mimi's other grandpa), brother and I have always loved watching the LA Dodgers and Anaheim Angels play. Every Sunday was spent listening to Vin Scully giving the play by play. Now that we live up here in the northwest mama has a soft spot for the Mariners. I think that some of the baseball has rubbed off on Mimi. We have been working on paying attention and following directions that of Mimi's swim and gymnastic coach. Out of the blue yesterday Mimi says "Mama, if I make a mistake one more time I will be 0 for 2, then there is 3 strikes and you're out! (using the hitch hiker thumb)"

RAIN GUTTERS AND SWIMMING POOLS

All this afternoon papa and neighbor/friend Ray were cleanning out the gutters of our homes. Mama meanwhile started to set up Mimi's pool when she realized that this is more than a one person job. When mama bought this pool, she did not realize how big it would be even though the box stated that it is 15' x 32". Maybe that is why she only received a passing grade in home economics all those years ago in Junior High. She can't measure worth a darn. In between time, we went over to grandma's house for papa's birthday dinner. Then came home to resume the gutter cleanning.

Believe it or not, these pictures were taken at 9:00 p.m. and it was still 72 degrees outside but since there is no wind, it feels like 82 degrees.

CARSEATS

According to Ray and papa, there is more than one use for a child carseat. Since we are fortunate to have good weather today papa and Ray made a date to clean the rain gutters before it is too late. Since the houses are too high up they needed to go and rent a taller ladder from the hardware store and this is how they brought it home.

MIMI'S BIRTHDAY

Whenever someone has a birthday such as today was Elsie's birthday and papa's birthday, Mimi will always ask the enevitable queston "When is my birthday?" Mama will tell her that it is not until next January which is followed by the universal question of "WHY?" sigh. hmmmm