Oh the joy that a bike brings....

Bike=Happiness

I didn't know that it was that simple.  I mean lots of things make you happy, but a beach cruiser with it's comfy, high seat is special. 

There is something about sitting so straight with the wind in your hair peddling along with produce and flowers in your basket that makes me giddy. 

I have wanted one for years but on my 43rd birthday as I was eating berries and granola, Tom wheeled that gorgeousness on the lawn.  When I turned around there she was and I   jumped up and down    cried. I know that's ridiculous but I just sat there with my big ole' happy tears and sobbed and I have been riding her ever since.  

I ride her to run errands in Walnut Creek, I ride her to take the kids to school, and I ride her to the grocery store.  I even went on a night ride to Danville with my Tom.  He jimmy rigged a headlamp to my basket and off we went down the trail in the pitch black. 

My kiddos are confused with all the riding because of course they are in constant tow (Charlie has yet to learn how to ride a bike so he is in the burley) and I just tell them in an extra excited voice, "I love just love my bike".

 

K Tom took this and it makes me laugh.  Could it possibly be my huge high heels, or the fact I am wearing a maxi dress or my huge smile the entire time?

 

 

I am grateful for Tom making my birthday week so special and of course for my bike.

She still got a shadow....

When I was little I had a constant shadow. Well that's what everybody called her.

It was my little sister Annabelle and we were glued together from day one.

 She is 4 1/2 years younger but we thought we were twins.

Wherever I was, my little shadow was not far behind.

So when I was expecting my fourth baby, I secretly wished for a little shadow for my Ella. I have to add here, that I know better than to ever guess the sex of my babies. I was wrong every single time. (Well not totally, I was right with Benjamin. I sooo knew he was a boy from the beginning. That's kind of acceptable right?) But anyhoo, I certainly did not trust my intuition and so I just secretly crossed every finger and toe for that shadow to arrive.

Well the long awaited day came, and out popped my perfectly perfect little boy.

Oh happy day!

But Ella didn't get her shadow--or so I thought.

Just because I had a little sister for my shadow why was that the only way?  Ella did get a little brother but he is every bit her shadow that Annabelle was for me.  They are together all day every day.  Friends will call Ella and she will say," I just want to stay home and play with Charlie."

 They are glued at the hip. 

They are best friends.

And wherever Ella is... Charlie is two steps behind.
 pure joy..my wish came true

 

 

 

 

This little guy is starting kindergarten and this is how I feel about it. 

I am grateful for siblings and Carmel.  I have officially decided that Carmel is my favorite place on earth.