California Summer

Pictures: Suzy and the kids in St. George; Joss enjoying the water; Suz and Tristan

The kids and I are enjoying Nonna's house in Lake Elsinore, CA. We have a routine already. When the girls see Nonna when she comes home from work, they squeal like pigs and run to give her a hug. After dinner, Susan and I chug up the mountain (she lives in the foothills) while the girls eat popsicles in the stroller. When it's my turn to push the stroller, I often encourage the girls to get out and walk. Why waste all of that young energy? Then they do their usual bedtime routine and I get a few alone hours before it's time for me to hit the sack.

Landon called tonight and said that he'll get a flight out on September 30th so he can drive back to Louisiana with us. The girls are excited about their "new house", but erroneously expect that their old friends from Provo will be there too.

Joss' primary teacher told Nonna today that Jocelynne had the "perfect amount of confidence." Enough, but not so much that she was annoying. Chloe did well in the nursery, too. One mother said that when a boy accidentally pushed her over, Chloe righted herself with a quick, "I'm okay!"

Chloe is doing well with potty-training. I bribe her with licorice and panties. She'll perch on the toilet, her tiny legs barely long enough to dangle over the rim, and demand, "Pee pee come out." And when it does "come out", I clap and give her the candy. Sometimes she'll exclaim, "I DID it!"

Tristan is learning to scoot across the floor. Between rolling and scooting, he can cover a good amount of space. Jocelynne loves to entertain him (so does Chloe, but I don't trust her yet. I've found her sitting on him more than once).