August 15th - August 21st

Well summer is officially over at the Catanzaro house. Jessica went back to work this week and the kids arrive Monday morning Aug. 22nd. Jessica and Jacob ended their summer with a trip to the zoo, just the two of them! They had a great time and of course Jacob had to see the goats which are his favorite. Tuesday Jacob went back to daycare and Jessica headed off for a meeting. She did sneak away for lunch with her 5th grade team! Wednesday through Friday Jessica prepared her classroom and all week she took Jacob to swim class. He is really swimming well and is advanced for his age. Saturday Jessica still had some work to do at school and Jacob wanted to show Daddy the goats so off they went with Grandma Dottie back to the zoo. It is nice that we are members and can visit whenever we want. Sunday Michael and Jacob went on a boys trip to Home Depot and picked out some new flowers to plant in the yard. We had a family day full of yard work and housework and a lot of playing! It was a nice way to get ready for another school year.

Jacob on the Skyfari at the San Diego Zoo!

Jacob's favorite goat! This is the day he went with Mom!

Back at the goats with Dad. I'm not to sure what those goats were doing!

Michael and Jacob gardening.

Jacob helping sweep up after Michael mowed the lawn.

August 8th - August 14th: It's A Girl!

Well our most exciting piece of news this week was finding out that we will be having a girl in December! While we have always said that it wouldn't matter what we had it is fun to think of having a boy and a girl. Jacob wanted a big sister but he's fine with having a little sister now! This was the last full week of vacation and we started it on Monday with another trip to the pool. This time we took along Nikki and her kids Kerri, Bobby, and Elli. That night Jessica went out with the girls to celebrate her friend Jenn's birthday. Tuesday Jessica was back at work for just a half day to do Safety Patrol training. Unfortunately that really hit home that vacation was just about over. Wednesday was the big doctors appointment so Michael took the day off. He joined the playgroup that morning at the Rueben H. Fleet Science Center and a ride on the Zoo Train. It was a small group this week just Jack, Kai, and Jacob were able to make it. Friday was Jacob's last gym class and we took our friends to the pool one more time. Friday night we had a great time at the Gillespie house where an elaborate meal was prepared by the Gillespies, Hollingsworths, Mosses and Weeds. The food and company were wonderful and the "soon to be" middle school girls took Jacob off our hands for the whole evening. We didn't even leave until midnight! Saturday Cheryl and Jessica tried out a new adventure called Dinner A'fare! They prepared 12 meals in just a couple hours and brought them home to freeze. It saves time on shopping, prepping, and cleaning up. The experience was great and we can't wait to try out the dishes. Finally we come to Sunday where we picked up Auntie Brandie and Uncle Sean and headed for SeaWorld. Having annual passes makes it easy to drop in for a quick couple of hours and see just a few things. Later that evening Michael went to the movies with our friend Garrett and that brings us to the start of another new week!

Elli in the pool!

Jacob at the Science Center.

Michael, Jacob, Cheryl, Jack, Sharon and Kai on the Zoo Train!

Michael, Jacob, Auntie Brandie, and Sean at SeaWorld.

Jacob holding a sea star from the tide pool at SeaWorld.

August 1st - August 7th: Pool, Pool and More Pool!

This has been a wet and wild week! We started the week on Monday with a trip to the pool. This time Christina, Lauren, and Connor were down to play. Tuesday we had our last pre-preschool class. Jacob did a fun paint project where he painted a dolphin using a marble. Our Wednesday playdate was at Christina's house but due to landscaping we actually went over to her mom's house to swim. Jacob discovered he really liked to wear Lauren's goggles and wouldn't take them off the whole time! After our fun with the boys we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house to ride their new horse Cooper. Thursday we went shopping to get Jacob his own goggles and he picked out a cool green pair! That evening we went to dinner over at the Gates' house, a celebration of their new kitchen. We had a great time visiting with the Treltas family, Gates family, and Audette family while the kids had a fun time with some night swimming in Jack's pool. Friday we went to our gym class and then once again found ourselves back at the pool with Sharon, Jenn, Kai, and Thomas. The boys came over after swimming for a nap while the ladies enjoyed lunch and a visit. Saturday Michael and Uncle Sean had plans to play golf so I took Jacob and Auntie Brandie back to the pool! That night Grandma Dottie came to babysit while Michael and I enjoyed a dinner out. Sunday Michael and Jacob did yard work while I snuck away for a movie and lunch with Becky. I definately got the better deal! :-) More next week but the news will start to slow as work is rapidly approaching!

Here is Jacob wearing his brand new goggles!

Jacob riding Grandma's brand new horse Cooper!

Jacob, Lauren, and Connor at the pool!

Jacob relaxing at Christina's mom's pool!

Enjoying dinner at the Gates' house!