Ethan, Kaiden & I headed to the beach early this morning. They ate their breakfast and lunch on the sand and had a great day playing, hunting for treasures and swimming. The beach was beyond beautiful today. An amazingly cool little breeze blowing off the water, but a beautiful blue sky with the warmest sun. It was relaxing and fun, for all three of us. I am always shocked by the number of people living here who do not take advantage of living near the water, and especially when I hear people say they hate the beach, hate the sand, hate the salt water. What is wrong with people? How can you not love this little piece of paradise we live in?

Gratuitous Picture Of Yourself Wednesday
A weekly picture of yourself shot by you or someone else, can be shot on other days, but only posted on Wednesdays . Why? Because it’s Wednesday…why not.

Me with sweet baby Ashton, asleep in my arms. It’s one of my favorite memories of the little dude.  Look at those sweet red cheeks!

This is Ethan, standing in front of my Empress Tree. At the end of each summer, I cut that tall thing back, and each year it returns. Growing taller and with much larger leaves. I never planted this thing, but there is one several doors down from me. There tree does not make nearly the statement mine does. The leaves are only half the size and it’s too bushy. I do some strategic pruning and have created what I refer to as “The Magic Beanstalk.”

Because she’s currently obsessed with the entire Michael Jackson thing, and because this is the best use ever of any Jackson 5 or MJ song.

…you can find us at the pool. Ethan and Kaiden had a great day today. They got to swim. They got to play with bottles of Shea Cocoa butter. They got to hang out with our lifeguard, Claudia. Claudia is also known as the Scooter Chauffeur, their boss (they are both assistant lifeguards at the pool this year) and tomorrow she will be assuming a new role for the day…Kaiden’s babysitter. Wish her luck!

The after effect of a long day at the pool.

Ethan and I were at the pool the minute it opened today. I wanted to be sure I’d get some swim time in before it got too crowded. We stayed until almost 5, came home to a really good dinner with lots of fresh veggies and fruit, and then headed back to the pool so I could get another hour of swimming in. I was going to go alone and swim, but Ethan wanted to come along. I got lots of swimming in, and Ethan got what he wanted. More scooter riding with Claudia. Now he’s settled in with a movie…Horton Hears A Who.

If you can’t get enough of this picture here, then you can see it again on Misty’s blog.

And here we are with The May Family!

Sadly, I can’t find the picture of me and Misty with Ralphie and his wife, but I did get this e-mail from Ralphie May and thought I’d share his news.

Hey Everybody,

~ Ralphie

Leo children are rays of light - playful, willing to be the center of attention, always ready to put on a show. This child is highly entertaining and able to assess the presence of an audience with surprising sophistication. In infants you may notice his showmanship just by their alert and pleasant nature, like stars ready to go onstage. There is warmth and charm about little Leos. As the baby grows into a toddler, there will be a marked agility with the body, a natural athleticism, good balance, and physical features such as a wide brow or a big head of hair.

Leo children are natural stars and may need a little help when it comes to fitting in with their peer group. They are naturally popular, but may have issues when it’s not their turn with a toy or game, or simply not their turn to shine. Rebuffs or accidental slights might be taken as deep insults. Imagine a cat getting water poured on its fur! At these junctures, help your little Leo understand that they are not the target of ridicule, even though they feel terribly humiliated because it means so much to them to be loved, adored, even worshipped! Remember, many actors, rock stars, and politicians are Leos, so you have a big personality on your hands!

Leo is a fire sign and thus warm, affectionate and sexually uninhibited. Encourage your child’s free expression with the body, maybe introducing dance lessons when he or she is ready. Some kind of physical exercise that channels all that fiery exuberance is recommended, lest the energy be repressed or express itself in unproductive ways. Be the parent who gently reminds your son or daughter about boundaries and limits, their own and other people’s, so that you are a trusted source of support, not a critical judge.

If you’d like to see your child’s astrological profile, go here.  I’ve also had a more in-depth profile done for Ethan, based on the time and date he was born.  My friend, Brad, did his chart for me and he does an incredible job.  If you’d like to learn more about Brad, and perhaps have your own chart, your spouse’s or significant other’s chart, or your child’s chart done, then go here.