kidding around

I really have enjoyed Simon’s emerging artistic side… I am even more interested in watching him draw with his fist and the end product being a delicate face or detailed flower!

He had fun copying my whimsical flowers and I think his were better!

One rainy day last week, (we have seen very few this summer) Simon and I were concentrating on some drawings. As I was drawing a robot, he felt he should add a few details to my picture. I happily allowed him to take over…and to my surprise I noticed he wrote “moma”. I asked if this is what he meant and he casually said “yes”. This is a boy who has no interest in the ABC song, but loves to read stories with me or Poppy and some times big sister Ellie. I was astonished…maybe you aren’t…but WOW! Kids (all, not just mine) are so amazing!

Ta Dah! My name!

Recently I have enjoyed making pies. With a few visits to the local French Market I have stashed a few pints of wonderful sour cherries and blueberries from Michigan in the freezer. The whole family is eager to have their very own piece! Penny wanted an early tasting!

Thanks to Gail (my co-worker), she has revealed an amazing pie crust recipe which I love! I even have made my favorite, PIE TWISTS (like the ones at Masons bakery in Whittier, CA) for Moveable Feast.

Here is Jane…our newest addition to the family! Jack and Sam’s sister, John and Susan’s daughter, Ellie, Si &Penny’s cousin and all of ours to adore!

I was able to visit my sister without my 3 kidlets. It just so happened that my brother-in-law had plans to take the boys to Michigan for the weekend. So- it was just the girls! I can’t remember the last time my sister and I have been able to hang out without disruption. I was glad to see the boys before they left and I was even happier that I had Jane to myself! Heh Heh Heh! The little time I had with Jack and Sam they poured all of their affection on her…they adore her!

My sister Susan with Jane Lu. I was able to see photos of her visit to China. Susan and her father-in-law visited the orphanage Jane had lived in and the actual spot she was left for someone to find! The details are heartbreaking…we are so fortunate to have this babe! To learn about this situation in China I highly recommend the book The Lost Daughters of China or the DVD from National Geopgraphic,(you can find on Netflix) The Lost Girls of China.

Me with Lu! I loved hopping on a plane and not sift through the traffic and constuction around Chicago. I love to people watch and the airport is the perfect place! i was also able to make good headway on my current book club selection, To Sleep with Angels.

While visiting my sister this weekend, I bought some fun ribbons (my bad habit- collecting fabric is another one). She and I decorated a really cute lampshade for Jane’s room and so I was inspired…Things are always changing at the Shackelford house.

Penny is modeling a pair of really cute pjs…a gift from her aunt and uncle. They just returned from China with daughter Jane Yi Lu. I get to see little Lulu tomorrow. I fly to Ohio and get to have her all to myself! Wow!

Lately I have resorted to sewing. It’s inspiring, keeps me sane, and I have a very happy recipient.

I sewed the flowers on my favorite, seer sucker fabric, and it’s just a fun whirl of summer!

Penelope Tess, the fun little communicator! The past few months we use “baby signs” to know what she wants. At first it was an experiment, but now it gives a good laugh and proves to be really useful.

Here is a photo of my sweet Simon…our early morning riser, who sings with the birds.