The Schmidgalls

I am in California with the kids while Joel is on a trip to Germany.  He will meet us here next week but, in the meantime, we are playing with my parents!

I have my little checklist of traditions while I am here.  Each time I am home, my dad makes a big pot of his famous spaghetti sauce for me.  We always go over to the mall for a snack from the place where I had my very first job, Hot Dog on a Stick!  They make the most amazing lemonade!  We had to grab a little treat from See’s Candy too, of course!  Last night, we ate falafels for dinner.  The falafel place on the corner is a favorite of mine - it was even on one of our favorite shows last year, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives!”

For the most part, though, we are just playing with Mimmy and Poppy.  Ella is in heaven.  I think she might have forgotten that I am here.  She just flutters around the yard, chasing the cats, watering the flowers, swinging on the swing, helping in the garden.  The weather here amazes me every time.  It is cool and crisp and comfortable in the morning and evenings with just enough warmth in the afternoon.  I am not sad to miss the humid blanket of DC!

My parents have the most amazing garden.  They grow all sorts of fruits and veggies.  It is a far cry from the little hanging plants that Joel and I manage to kill each summer.

Helping Mimmy water the plants!

Apples

Berries

Chili Peppers

Green Peppers

Lemons

Tomatoes

Ella is such a helper!

Even Zeke had fun playing in the garden!

We had to clean him up by family tradition - bath in the sink!

Zeke went to his first Cubs game!

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6 

We went as a family, cousins and all.  He was suuuuuuuuuper tired because, apparently, it is next to impossible to fall asleep with people cheering and screaming and clapping all around you.  Who knew?

Auntie Amy was also in town for a last visit before starting her all-grownup, realworld job!  We loved playing with her!  We all went to watch our super-swimmer, Summer!

So focused…

Ella and Auntie Lora waiting for the race.  (She looks like HER daughter!)

Ella screamed more loudly than ever!  “Goooooo Summy! Faster!”

Unfortunately, because of dance class, me missed Josiah’s race.  He won the award for most improved for the whole season!