[ let's play a game. it's called "catch-up". ]

Alright, I know! I've been going through a bit of writer's block when it comes to blogging lately, and so it's been kind of hard coming up with things to write about. Plus, reading just seems much more enjoyable! (I've been working on getting through the 6th Harry Potter book -- again -- before I see the movie next Saturday!)

Okay, so here's where we play a super fast game of "catch-up on the Jarvises". I'm sure it goes back further than this but we'll start at the 4th of July. We got stuck working over the weekend of the 4th, so we weren't able to go home, but we lucked out and our best friends up at school were there too! So we went and found some seats out in the middle of our housing area and watched the fancy fireworks. Let's not mention that they had issues even getting started. Something about the music and fireworks weren't in sync or something ridiculous like that.

I didn't get any pics of us or our friends because well, it was dark. And they hate having their picture taken so you get pictures of the fireworks to satisfy you.

In an effort to be patriotic for the holiday, we grilled pork (I know, we forgot about the hamburgers and hot dogs!) and then made these cute little red white and blue strawberry shortcakes. I was so proud of myself!


Next up in our little game of catch-up is the results of one of my goals this summer. If you know me, you know that I am notorious for setting up goals and aspirations for myself, and since I haven't been working this summer, and I have plenty of goals. Maybe one day I'll actually write about them all, but for now, I'll just tell you about the one. My goal is to learn how to cook. Okay, I know. It sounds really dumb, but I've been married for almost 2 years now, and I'm still not very skilled in the culinary arts. That would be Peter's job.

However, the other day, we were going to make dinner for our friends and make chicken kabobs, but those plans fell through. So the next day, I decided that I should try and make them for just us two and by the time I had them all kabob-ed and ready to go, I realized that I have no idea to start up the grill. That is always PP's job, and he's wasn't home yet from school. So what did I do? I showed my awesome culinary skills by sticking the kabobs in the oven!

I know. I copped out. Oh well, they turned out awesome anyway!

Basically, I made them, and then basted them in teriyaki sauce. Next time, I think I'll just chunk up the veggies and chicken, throw them on the pan and cover in teriyaki or sweet n' sour. Either way, I think they turned out great.

After the holiday weekend, we were invited down to my MIL's house to house-sit for her and feed the dogs for a week. So that's where we've been since this last Tuesday. While we were here, I've gotten to spend some much needed niece-time with my sister's daughter. The relationship between my sister and Little Princess's dad is complicated, so it's a big deal when I get to see her. So since I'm the awesome aunt that loves to spoil her nieces and nephews, we took her to the dinosaur museum! She had a great time!

This is her picking flowers at the hospital when we made a quick stop off to see PP's uncle who was there. Don't tell the hospital that she stole their flowers...she really loved it though! This picture also shows how freaking big she's gotten! She's so tall now!

Something you'll notice in all these pictures is that she is a total ham (like her auntie!). This was in the very first room, and she told me "Kawa, take a pit-ure." Because the dinosaur museum is set up on several levels and they are connected by ramps, she loved running up and down the ramps. I can't even tell you how many times we had to yell "Too far!" at her.

There was this little dinosaur sitting on the ground and she told us that she wanted to sit on it, but she was scared. She kept say "Moooom, you gotta hep me!" We took lots of pictures on this dino, but this was my favorite: it was her "grrr" face. Her actual "grrr" sound effect was way cute though!

When we got down to the last part of the museum, which was aquatic dinosaurs, she immediately got down on the ground and said "Kawa, I'm a fisth!" Immediately after I took this picture, my sister was like "Ew, get off the ground." But I didn't care, I'm the awesome auntie!

I think this is my favorite picture of the entire day. She was fascinated with this shark, and if you notice behind her, the sign says "Please Do Not Climb on Exhibit". And what did our adorable little 3 year old do? Oh yes. She climbed. On the exhibit. I love her!

Lastly, I have a cute little 8 second video for you of her growling back at the T-Rex. This is the kinds of things she did the entire time. Cracks me up everytime.

So I'm hoping that I won't be such a slacker in the future, but really, we don't have any exciting things happening in our lives. PP goes to school and I sit at home most days working on random projects. If anything exciting happens, I'll be sure to let you know!