Is it really already June?

Well, May has come and gone and June has arrived along with the very hot Arizona summer. We have been trying to make the best of the last couple weekends that we will actually be able to go outside by spending our days in and around the pool. The pool water is just a touch cool for me, but perfect once you finally get in or are thrown in...

Alex is spending an ever increasing amount of time pretending to leave for vacation. Occasionally she will even pack her carry on bag and a lunch box and be on her way. Obviously she is excited to spend her summer in Chicago and Michigan, but who could blame the kid when the temperature will soon reach 115?

Daddy and Alex had a long talk about RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa). Daddy explained to Alex that he would be riding his bike with Aunt Mine, Uncle Petey, and "Peppa" visiting towns, meeting people and eating lots of good food. Alex decided that she wanted to go and said, "I'm going to ride my bike too." However, 471 miles on a tricycle is a little too ambitious for mom and dad. Instead we decided to have a traditional Iowa dinner so she wouldn't really miss out on the good part.

Rory really enjoyed the mashed potatoes and shared her corn with Rudy. As such, Rudy has decided that if Alex is going, she would like to go as well. Maybe they can share a ride in the burley. Accordingly, Rory has stated that if Rudy and Alex are going, she'll stay home. Not enough room in the burley for Alex, Rudy and Rudy's breath.

Poor Bailey was outside and missed all of the fun.

Rory has been sick for the past week, this time with a very high fever. She has become our little cling-on and I miss her smiles. They have been far and few between. On a more selfish side I also miss my sleep. She has been waking up at 2 am and then 5:30 for the day. Poor mom and dad!

Alex had a big party last Friday at "school". The kids had pizza and ice cream and lots of fun. The anticipation of the event was quite high and we talked about it frequently. We emphasized to Alex that she would be going to the party and not mommy, daddy or Rory. The party was for her and her schoolmates. She asked us repeatedly if mommy was going. Nope, just Alex. She asked us repeatedly if Rory was going. No, just Alex. When it was finally time to go to the party, Alex walked out into the garage with mommy, clearly a little perplexed. She knew that mommy and Rory weren't going to the party, so she said to mom, "So are you going to teach me to drive now?" As you might well imagine, there are no pictures of Alex driving.

NOTE TO PAULA AND MIKE, RACHAEL IS DONE READING AT THIS POINT. SERIOUSLY! GO WATCH SOME SCOOBY-DOO, RACHAEL!!!

Finally, we've had a lot of discussions with Alex over the past two years and eight months, but we've never got the response you'll see below. Can you guess what we said to Alex to illicit this response:

10. "Barney sucks"

9. "As a young republican, do you have a message for Scott McClellan?"

8. "How would you feel about giving Rory your ice cream?"

7. "Is it nap time yet, Alex?"

6. "The Cubs are in first place, what do you think?"

5. "That little boy over there said you are a baby!"

4. "Could you wash your face, please?"

3. "Mom and dad are going out tonight. Please behave for the babysitter."

2. "Sorry Alex. you have to wait another 14 years before you can learn to drive."

1. "Rudy ate your corn on the cob."

Ok, if you guessed any of the above, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Our little angel has no idea what that means and "darn" and "heck" are the worst things to come out of her mouth yet. And yes given her who dad is, we realize that we are lucky for this to be the case. Just one of those innocent things that happens to be caught on film.

Happy June everyone.