Why kids need dads

Kids need dads for thousands of reasons. Not only are they essential for killing spiders, creating adventure, and looking the other way when mud is in hand, but it would have never occurred to me to tie a rope to Lucy's Tiny Toddler Car and fling her across the cement pad.

She loved it!

Bye bye Dada!

Every morning, Lucy and Dada spend some quality time together.

When it comes time for him to go to work, Lucy climbs on the chair and waves to him until he drives out of the driveway, all the while saying, "Bye Dada! Bye! Luh-oo! Luh-oo!" (Translation: Love you!)

The tu-tu is a new addition to our morning ritual.

Gaucho Pants!

I have become obsessed with various home/crafting blogs over the past few months, and one recently showed how to make "gaucho pants" for your toddler out of old t-shirts. I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "I can do that!"

I started with this t-shirt from Simon's collection of "too small/stained/holey" shirts.
And voila! Cute gaucho pants! Lucy's sporting them with pride!
I added some ribbon and buttons on the bottoms.
And even sewed a red button on the top. . . Lucy is especially fond of that one.

So go make your own gaucho pants!
Here's the link!

Lucy and Trigger

Lucy and her trusty steed.

Monrovia Street Fair

Lucy and I went to the Monrovia Family Fun Fair this evening to celebrate the end of summer school work and the beginning of official summer! We went at 5:00 to avoid the inevitable steady stream of directionless thugs that tend to wander in around 8:00 and hang out in front of Coldstone Creamery. Although it was still pretty hot, it proved to be the perfect time to go.

We had an absolute ball!
Lucy held a chick, then tossed it back into the box.
Then she rode a horse named Trigger and loved it!
She ate a slice of cheese pizza.
And then ended the night in style with a butterfly balloon.

American Idol, EAT YOUR HEART OUT!

Those of you who know me well know of my passion for performance in my childhood, and by childhood I mean until I was 27.

It appears that my jammie-clad daughter has also picked up the karaoke bug. She's right on the cusp of singing and her attempts generally end up sounding like strange Swedish beat boxing.
Accompanied by her generous arm flailing, watching Lucy sing has easily become my favorite past time.

I think Simon, and by Simon I mean Simon Cowell, would judge that performance as, "brilliant."

Wakey Wakey!

I know, I'm biased, but Lucy is so darn cute when she has just woken up from her nap. Each day, when I hear her calling, "Mommy!" I go into her crib and my heart just melts! I decided to take a week and take a picture of her each day right as I go into her room.

Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:

The Artists

I found this artist easel on the side of the road. Since it was so well priced, I decided to scoop it up and make it a part of the Hunt family art program. Lucy loves it, and has been enjoying painting, and coloring with chalk.
Her concentration level reminds me of another young Hunt artist I know. Of course, when she does her masterpieces, she does not wear a strainer on her head. But whatever helps with the creative process. . .

Fourth of July PART 2

We arrived in San Clemente around 3, and after a quick dip in the pool, Rosie and Lucy embraced. Actually, about 1 second after I took this picture, Rosie fell on top of Lucy and there were tears. You can see the initial tilt towards the floor.
After a scrumptious dinner of tri-tip-a-la-Ron, we bundled the girls up to go to the fireworks. They were pretty sleepy, but we thought they would enjoy the show.
Lucy loved it! She immediately started saying, "boom! boom! boom!"
Rosie fell fast asleep before the show started. It's hard to stay awake when you're this cozy with your mommy and daddy!
Near the end of the show, Lucy asked to get back in the wagon. She sat there, and then flopped forward and fell asleep immediately. Yes, she's in there somewhere!

Happy 4th of July!

Fourth of July PART 1

The Sierra Madre 4th of July parade is becoming an annual tradition for the Hunt family. There's nothing like it for pure hometown feel from the 50 cub scout troops on bikes, to the shriners going wild on their mini cars, we love it! Lucy had a ball waving to everyone.



The only tricky moment came at the end of the parade when the fire engines went by with their sirens and lights on. Lucy has been really afraid of sirens lately and will run and jump into my arms saying, "Mergency! Mergency!" Dada helped make the situation better by putting his hands over her ears. Then it was off to San Clemente!

Stay tuned for part 2!

Happy THIRD of July!

The day before July 4th, we spent the afternoon by the pool with friends Sarah and Tony and Jenny and Mike at Sarah and Tony's parents house! Lucy loved playing with friends Wil, Maddie, Fletcher, and Fallon, and Simon and I like playing with our friends too!
Lucy played with some sidewalk chalk with Fallon and Fletcher.
The girls: Maddie, Lucy, and Fallon
Maddie modeled for Lucy the simple pleasures of sitting in a recliner on a warm afternoon and eating chips. A true American tradition.
Thanks for the great day of chatting, eating, and swimming! We had so much fun by the pool and can't wait to see all of our friends again! Here's another account of the same day from Sarah's perspective.

Swimmin' with Mimi and Papa!

There's an unfair temperature divide between where we live and where my parents live. The heat of the summer is really kicking in and on Wednesday, I called my mom in a pool of my own sweat and declared that I was coming over to swim with Lucy. We were roasting and needed some relief. My mom let me know I should be sure to bring a sweatshirt because the coastal fog, "just hasn't burned off yet and it's pretty cool."

Wha?

So we came over and Papa took Lucy for a swim in her "African Queen" style cruiser.

Then, when they were finished, Mimi wrapped her up in a warm towel. I was having flashbacks of swimming lessons as a child in Carmel where my mom would wait with a towel because it was so cold outside. Lucy appreciated her quick wrap style.

We love our Mimi and Papa!