Name

There was a dinner-table conversation some time ago 

in which Laila told us that we needed to put signs up around the town, 

leading people to our house so that everyone could know her name. 

And then as her 3-yr-old preschool was drawing to an end, 

she kept talking about how her next school would be in Hollywood 

where she would learn to be in the movies.

So when Grandma brought over a copy of the local paper 

with Laila's picture on the cover of the Life section, 

we were not in the least surprised at her reaction,

"Now everybody knows my name!"

and for now we'll be content with just that amount of fame

festive fans

a simple craft

chosen mostly because of the relative availability of supplies 
from my meager craft inventory 

After some searching, we found everything 
except for the red-colored tape and the silver star stickers, 
so instead we made do with red and yellow crayons.

It wasn't until hours later that it dawned on me how practically useful our morning craft was,
as we were literally melting in the summer heat that finally decided to stick around

just when our cooler decided to quit

luckily, we only had to use these artistic hand-powered fans for a short two days

and now we are basking in the breeze of a brand new central air system

thank you FamilyFun CRAFT FINDER 

and thank you Smedley

Our Dad is the best!

This year we treated Dad to breakfast in bed for Father's Day. 

And since I enjoyed the same luxury on Mother's Day, it stood to reason in her young mind to inquire, 

"When is sister's day? Then I can have breakfast in bed."

We love our Daddy.

Happy Father's Day!

Pony Express

They rode in just in front of This is the Place Heritage Park, those dedicated Pony Express 

Re-enactors; exchanged the mail bag and then were off again quicker than you could say 

"150th Anniversary of the Pony Express."

It was HOT and there was no shade.

but when they finally woke up from being lulled to sleep by the long drive,

the kids became honorary Riders and galloped their ponies across the plains 

in a manner to make their 5th great-grandfather proud.

And then they fed the horses. Once . . . twice . . . and again.

those horses were sure feelin' glad that they made the long journey. 

As were we.