Here's the Diehl

There are milestones that I overlook and ones that I look forward to. This one is the one that, as a creative professional, I have been waiting for. Julia's drawings are finally taking shape and looking like something. She's experimenting with people and animals and other simply shapes. This is her first family portrait. Just beautiful. I'd like to point out how observant she is and how she translates that to her art. Mommy apparently has a big belly. "And tomorrow, when the baby pops out," is a statement that is repeated frequently. We can't wait to see how our little artist expands her prowess.

After trying all summer long to get some swim lessons for Julia, we finally took the plunge this week with our first private lesson. We weren't quite sure what to expect for a couple reasons. One, the lessons were indoors in the "yucky" pool. Julia knows the outdoor pool is where the fun is. But, she managed to deal with the indoor venue. Second, Mommy and Daddy weren't allowed to be in the pool or even on deck during the lesson. This did not go over so well and poor Mommy had to truck it up and down the stairs a few times to console Julia, who screeched loudly (and think of the acoustics in a small pool) that she wanted her mommy. So, a deckhand is in need. No big deal. The instructor said we can sit on deck. And third, we weren't quite sure what Julia was going to make of Larry, her instructor. Turns out, she might like him more than the boys in her school. He is truly great and patient and excited to work with Julia (probably because he says his other young stu...

August is finally here and it's been such a long summer. Not quite the dog days of summer. More like the squirrel days of summer. You see, about this time each year, Brian and I get a real treat. The fig tree in front Bob's yard (which luckily hangs over our yard) gets all sorts of activity. That's not the exciting part. The FIGS are. Great, ripe, delicious figs. It's embarrassing to admit, but we have a ladder leaning against our fence so we can go out there in the night and steal figs. It's not stealing, they hang over our property. It's made for several delicious dinners. A bunch of figs, some cheese, some bread, some wine. Summer meals. Of course, we are not the only ones who love the figs. Check out our friend Squirrel Nutkin here, who is lazing on our fence until he gets enough energy to carry his own weight in figs. Maybe his real name is Squirrel Figkin. Can you see him in the last photo carrying away the fat fig?