Summer Has Arrived

With the summer solstice just passed, it's nice to enjoy the days with lots of light...when we get it. Not that I'm complaining because I'm not. Our summer pattern has started, so I know that when it's really foggy here in the summer, that means inland and in the valley, it's triple-digits. I can still remember those days vividly, and I'm so thankful that I don't have to endure that awful heat. It's bad enough that I have to go to work in warmer weather, but at least when I return home, it's so cool and a refreshing retreat!

To capitalize on the sunny weather this weekend, we took our gal P to the beach so she could run around freely. Don't let the sunshine fool you--it was very chilly!

Miss P had a grand time, beachcombing for all creatures great and small. She held onto a pair of razor clamshells the entire time, though. She'd give them to me or her Daddy to hold, but she'd come right back and grab them again. We found a little crab that was probably just recently deceased, so we took that little critter home for the collection, too!

As soon as we got home, we put the little beachcomber to bed, and she was out quick! Nothing like the fresh sea air to relax one's mind.

This is a pretty big playground!

What a sweet picture!

Looking at the little sand crab.

Nice camouflage!

I'll take those back, thank you.

Even the pelicans swooped down for an afternoon greeting!

Everyday Is Father's Day!

But it is nice to set aside a day to give our dads some extra attention to let them know how special they are to us! This is RT's second Father's Day so I thought he deserved to give us his take on his adventure of being a father thus far.

In the meantime, here is a little idea of what our Sweet Pea did as an extra special effort to show her Daddy how much he is loved!

Roar like a lion for Daddy's morning greeting.

Take Daddy for a walk at Elfin Forest.

Mow the lawn to give Daddy a break.

Water the plants so he can ice his leg.

Give him lots of reassurance that he's very loved.



Enjoy a peaceful Father-Daughter moment...



Phew! It's Not Me in the Hospital Gown!

For the first time in our history of being together, I've never seen my husband in a hospital gown (thank goodness!). RT was scheduled to have knee surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee--not from any particular incident, but from normal wear-and-tear.

While the surgery was an outpatient procedure and done arthroscopically, we still were not sure what was in store for us. The surgery was very successful and the doctor didn't find anything unusual. He was very confident that RT would feel so much better once he was healed.

We had my mom come over to help watch P during the day of the surgery and in case I needed additional hands taking care of the "patient".

Well, the "patient" was up and walking when I picked him up! He was up and around the same evening and was very surprised that he was feeling so well and in not much pain at all. By the following day, it was like he never had surgery and was even walking around at the park! Wow! He makes such a better patient than I did!

All joking aside, I'm so glad that he's okay and feels good. The road to recovery should be promising and he'll back in the water in no time!

Looking spiffy in that hospital gown!

Post-op and very coherent!

Up and around in no time!