We went to the Los Angeles zoo on Wednesday for Jim Richard's birthday- he's the big one. I feel a little gluttonous...I have been on so many zoo trips recently, and I love them so much. It's like having dessert with every meal.
I love the Richard family- I intruded on their family holiday, and they made me feel like a guest. It was hot, very, very hot. I am empty of words tonight, but have been feeling neglectful. I should have just written, "This is what we did on Wednesday."

Bowden always knows what he wants from the coffe house...a steamer. He will ask for it if he sees the two-tailed mermaid of green, or if we walk into anyplace with a perculator. He just knows.
This is my little man sitting in a chair at the Javalounge, sipping a "easy-hot" vanilla steamed milk.

The baby girl, being sweet.

Cranks and Bumps in the dining room for the last camp breakfast of the summer. Lucy is enjoying a Lucy-sized piece of canteloupe, and Bowden is showing off his markers.

There was a meeting after church today, and as it started, thunder and summer hail declared their intentions. As we went to go, Lucy took great care to walk in every puddle, and then to sit in one, before the mother with her camera could stop her. And when I say puddle, I mean, every single wet spot that she could find.

Lucy was having a cranky day- both kids were, and I was having a tired day, and after a particularily grumpy- nay, tragic- diaper changing for Lucy, I undressed her entirely, and set her in the sink. I first put the little drainer in the garbage disposal in the middle just in case.
It was not long before Bowdo Baggins desired a high-fallutin bath as well, so I emptied out the sink and stuck him the other side. I have the perfect sink for two babies, and really, the perfectly designed sink for many things. Not to brag, but I am thankful.
So- I spent an hour or so standing next to them, and mangaed to load the dishwasher, wipe off the counters, and keep Cranks and Chunks happy and occupied for a long while. And I got them mostly clean. Bowden's face did get wiped off, despite the messy close-up.
I'm reading a book for married mothers, and one of its comments struck me- that I should have time for everything. That's not been one of my problems- having time. Rather, I don't have the desire to do a lot of things I feel like I need to. I could have taken them out of their "baths" a lot sooner, and vacuumed, or swept, but I traded it in for peace.

Lucy got a pair of new ladybug boots to go with Bowden's caterpillar boots, and there was very little slowing down and sitting still while Momma takes a picture. I put these boots on her at least ten times tonight.