This morning when we looked out our backyard was full of quail. We used to see them all the time on the back hill but haven't for a while so it was exciting to see so many. One walked back and forth on the wall while his friends looked for worms!

We saw Ryan today. Mark had a meeting this morning so we got there a little later than we usually do. He looked great and we enjoyed our time. He'd gotten his hair cut and it looked really good. I signed the paperwork for him to start school after Labor Day and he's looking forward to it. There will be three guys from the house going so they will be good support for one another. While we were there a family was visiting that I know from work and their son will be coming into the house following detox. It's a small world to be somewhere 100+ miles away and walk into a family that lives a mile away! We're hoping their son is as successful there as Ryan is proving to be.

First Day of School

The first day of school and everyone liked their teachers and classes! Kelleigh didn't have the friends she so hoped to in any of her classes and one I am SO unhappy about is in every one - where's the justice? Connor, of course, was happy to see all his friends and past teachers and having friends in every class is never a problem! I worked at my school this morning and directed parents to classes and kept a "flight risk" Kindergartener from leaving his class! So, all in all, a normal first day of school!

Last weekend of the summer...

....was very busy for us. Saturday we visited with Ryan and were able to spend a bit of time at Manhattan Beach. Despite the difficulty of finding parking due to a volleyball tournament, that is a beautiful, huge beach. The kids had a great time with him as the surf was good so boogie boarding was great and it was a chance for them to have a "normal" activity together. I also was shocked to see him actually holding a sand crab given his phobia of creatures!

We stayed in the area and took Connor and Kelleigh to Universal Studios on Sunday. It has been quite a few years since we'd last been there. Unfortunately Connor had twisted his ankle/foot skateboarding with Ryan Saturday so we had to find a Rite Aid to buy an ace bandage, ice it, give tylenol...all in hopes of minimalizing the hobbling Sunday! He did good and we had a fun time.

The patio furniture cushions are finally home! I love the cheery tropical print but there was only enough fabric for the large seat so the chair had to be a coordinating piece but it works.

Tomorrow we will all go see Ryan and go to the beach for the afternoon. It will give the kids a chance to interact with him a little more and be something different to do. Still hard to believe this is the last weekend before school starts. Kelleigh seemed to enjoy her Skills Building Class this week and said it helped her on how to take notes. We will see!

As we were beating the 92 degree heat at the pool today, Connor spotted this huge butterfly. It stayed on the tree for a long time so Mark went in to get my camera. The leaves kept blowing but he got a couple good ones. Unfortunately a bee stung me shortly after that and my elbow is now swollen to twice the size!

The BBQ is in and now we're just waiting on the doors and that will be finished! Tomorrow I pick up the cushions from the upholsterer and we're done. Can't wait to see them.

This morning I registered Connor for school and tomorrow morning is Kelleigh's turn. Still can't believe summer break is nearly over. :( I finished the guest book from my friend's wedding and can't wait to get the disc to begin her wedding album. The pictures are gorgeous.

Jake's big adventure!

Nothing quite makes your day like getting a text while you're in L.A. that says "Jake's gone". I read it as I was leaving the restaurant with Ryan and Sebastian and the guys could tell it wasn't good news; otherwise I wouldn't have told Ryan about it. When we got in the car I called the house and Connor said he thinks the front door hadn't closed after Albertson's delivered Grandma's groceries and Jake snuck out. If this had been Buddy, no big deal as he'll go to anyone but Jake is another story. He won't get close to anyone plus is a lightning fast runner. Not a good thing with a busy freeway down the hill! Mark and some neighbors were out looking for him and I sent Connor back up the hill to see if Jake had maybe circled back that way. Ryan was quite upset and I wasn't happy so you can imagine how relieved I was to get a call saying that Jake was sitting on the lawn area and came right to him as Mark was driving back up. He was safely back at home! Phew!

Saturday I was helping with our friend's "War on the Mainland" mixed martial arts event at the Bren Center at UC Irvine. While I had mixed emotions about this type of thing, I have to admit it wasn't nearly as violent as I had expected; I rather enjoyed it! The fighters were all so polite and appreciative throughout the day and it was fun to be able to go "back stage", interact with the ticket office, event coordinator, television crew, photographers, managers, etc. The event ran smoothly and I was able to get an autograph for Connor from Tim Sylvia who won the heavyweight title.

Sunday I had a really great visit with Ryan. It had been three weeks between our commitments and his camping trip so it was good to see him. I took him and Sebastian to P.F. Changs for lunch and it was delicious plus he was quite excited to see the new car and pictures of the yard. We walked around the mall afterwards then went back to the house for a bit before I had to leave. It was the first time we'd really had a chance to talk about his feelings of being up there and he admitted he struggled the last few weeks but feels good about it now. The guys are all so friendly and all come up and hug you, sit down and talk, and are fun to be around. They were telling stories of their camp trip, did I hear about Ryan jumping off the high rock into the lake, making steaks on the fire, etc. Very enjoyable time.

I filled out the kid's school registration packets as that drill is tomorrow for Connor and Wednesday for Kelleigh. I did have a moment of tears as I opened Ryan's. Kelleigh is attending a Skills Workshop this week in the mornings due to her not doing well in a few classes last semester. She seemed to like it which was somewhat a surprise!

Mark heard back from Francis Parker High School today and has an interview on Thursday with the principal. He also has to prepare a Geometry class and teach it to a set of kids as part of the interview. It's a sub position for a woman going on maternity leave the end of September I believe.

Today the tile got laid on the BBQ countertop so the unit will be installed tomorrow. Wednesday I pick up the cushions for the furniture and we'll BE DONE! Yippee!

One more day...

...and we'll be done! The lawn is in and Monday the BBQ will be finished. Hopefully the patio furniture cushions will be finished so I can pick them up as well. The guys have done a great job and we are thrilled with the end results.

I go to Irvine tomorrow to help a friend with an event at the Bren Center and then will visit Ryan on Sunday. I'll looking forward to seeing him as it's been three weeks since we last saw him. Mark interviewed at a private high school today for a long-term sub position so we'll see what comes of that. Unfortunately my hand surgery got moved to September 16th as the doctor was out of town on the 2nd. Oh well...what's two more weeks at this point! Have a great weekend!

Almost finished...

Cement is finished, BBQ top is coming along, and tomorrow is the grass. Look at how big it makes the pool area look - we should have done this years ago!

Cement tomorrow!

Bright and early tomorrow the cement truck will be here! The fire pit is finished, today I picked up the tiles for the BBQ top, steps are done so the new pool deck/patio gets poured tomorrow, BBQ finished Thursday, and lawn and fence Friday! Woo hoo! The newly recovered furniture cushions should be done by end of week and maybe the BBQ doors will come in early too. Can't wait for it to be finished. Ordered marshmallow roasting "forks" and pie maker so we'll be set!

Ryan called today and had a great time camping. I think his favorite part was when they went into town and had a big, juicy steak! They also were able to climb onto a high rock and jump into the lake, grilled their meals, and slept out on the cabin porch. That part surprised me given his adversion to bugs! I'm excited to see him Sunday as Saturday I'm helping with an event in Irvine. I'll take him and another guy to lunch wherever they decide they want to go. I'll get to meet the little puppy too!

More progress!

Things are coming along quickly! They should be all finished by this time next week. Today I went and ordered the double doors for the bbq and Tuesday pick up the tile for the countertop that will match the pool tile. The kids can't wait to make their first batch of s'mores! Speaking of campfires, Ryan and the guys left today for their long weekend camp trip. He was excited also that the house got a 3-month old yellow lab puppy named Leah (not sure if I'm spelling it right - pronounced Lay-ah!). He misses Buddy a lot so this will be a good substitute.

My new baby!

First....let me introduce my surprise...my new baby...a 2010 Escalade! I never thought I'd actually get to own another one after I tearfully gave up the lease on my last one but my wonderful husband surprised me. So if you're interested in buying a 2008 Toyota Highlander Limited let me know!

Thought I'd share some pictures of the backyard progress too. Lots of activity around here the last few days. The area prepped for lawn to be put in (play set was previously here)...

Future home of the bbq...

Patio deck (with fence) and sidewalk will be here...

kid's favorite addition - the fire pit!

Lots of activity!

It has been a circus at our house the last few days! Where do I begin...

• The kids returned from a week of camp on Saturday afternoon and had a great time. They enjoyed so many activities and made new friends. We weren't able to see Ryan Saturday due to me doing a wedding and Mark picking them up but have talked with him throughout the week. This coming Friday he and the other boys have their annual camping trip and are excited.
  

• Kelleigh's belated birthday - Sunday's we had a small celebration for her belated birthday with pizza and Chocolate Satin pie. She was dying for pizza after a week of having none at camp! Notice that her slacker mother couldn't find the #2 candle so had to quickly improvise! She was a sport and pretended to blow our the candle! Still can't believe my baby is 12...
  

• Backyard remodel - we have lots of cars...lots of workers...lots of jackhammering starting at 7:00am! We are putting lawn back in the area where the playset was for years, expanding the pool deck (which involves moving the fencing around it too), adding a built-in bbq and a fire pit. Today two very huge palm trees are being cut down as well. The dogs are beside themselves!
  

• Since we didn't have enough excitement going on, yesterday we had to take Mark's car to the shop as one of the hoses broke. There's another surprise we've been working on but you won't read about that until Thursday! He's staying busy playing with his new "Incredible" phone and with his consulting business. Will be interesting to see if he hears from LCC as the start of school gets closer.
  

• Saturday was Dana's wedding that we've been planning since last October. The day couldn't have been more perfect in every way. Everything went smoothly and was beautiful beyond our expectations. I've also been busy finalizing some advertising I'm helping a friend with plus have another event on the 14th in Irvine. In between are ortho and doctor appointments to get done before school starts. I am still in denial that school begins in 3 weeks...where did the summer go?