Ribbit. 181/365

Look who was living in our magnificent swimming pool! Jordan found "Jean-Bob" (of Swan Princess fame) basking in a tiny puddle of stagnant water in one of the folds of the pool.

Who's winning? 180/365

One of the first things we did upon arriving home after our trip to Minnesota is to purchase a ladder ball set. The girls and I had fun playing this at Rachel's and Grandpa John's houses and we've played many family games in the past week and a half since we've been home.

He's baaaaaaack! 179/365

I was very happy to see my favorite squirrel back on the deck. Although this time he was laying on his belly in the sun as opposed to last time in the shade.

Candy Bar. 178/365

Madison has always loved to set up a store. Sometimes it's a balloon or art store, but most of the time it's a candy store. Santa even brought her a store-front a couple of years ago. I love the name she came up with this time - Candy Bar. She finds all of the candy hiding in the house and skillfully displays it. Each item is priced to move and she is quite the sales girl. She told me she didn't want to be in the picture because she was in her pajamas, but after I snapped the shot, I noticed a sweet little face behind the candy jar.

Thriller. 177/365

The girls and I have been listening to the news stories about Micheal Jackson since last night. Jordan, in particular, likes his music since many of his songs were featured in her school play this past March. Here they are reinacting the "Thriller" dance while listening to my vinyl album (a gift from my aunt 1982/83).

Dill. 176/365

I love dill - in a chip dip, in potato salad, with sour cream on a baked potato, in a sauce with salmon, in harvati cheese, and growing in my garden. Last year the caterpillars ate my entire plant before I was able to harvest any of it.

Lookin' Good. 175/365

I never noticed these signs before today and God knows we've made many visits here since January. In this photograph are the windows of Jordan's pediatric edocrinologist's first floor offices (though I didn't intend to photograph those). We definitely received good help here at St. Mary's Hospital. Jordan had her three month appointment today (since receiving her insulin pump) and things are lookin' good.

Looks good enough to eat! 174/365

I've always loved these flowers. I grew them in Omaha, but could never get them to grow in Ft. Worth. I'm ecstatic that they are growing so well here in Richmond. I knew that they were edible and often added to salads for color. During our visit to Maymont this past Easter, we learned that Mrs. Dooley often served nasturtium sandwiches to her guests along with tea. Somehow, though, I can't seem to get myself to put this lovely little flower between two slices of bread (would I use butter or Miracle Whip on the bread?).

Ahoy, Matey. 173/365

One of Jordan's favorite things to do is to make up different themed scavenger hunts. Today she sent Maddie and her friend off on a pirate's treasure scavenger hunt.

S'mores for dessert. 172/365

I think we're ready. 171/365

We've got our team leader - Jordan. We have our team name - Jordan's Journey. We just need to ask for donations from everybody we know to help fund diabetes research.

Jordan has the most severe type of the disease (type 1) and, in order to stay alive, has to continually infuse insulin through a pump and test her blood sugar by pricking her finger six+ times a day. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and a leading cause of nerve damage, stroke, and heart attacks. Diabetes kills one American every three minutes and is the sixth leading cause of death reported in the U.S. JDRF is the only major diabetes organization focused exclusively on research and more than 85% of JDRF's expenditures directly support research. A cure is expected well within Jordan's lifetime. Please consider giving whatever you can to this cause.

Jordan's fundraising page can be found HERE.

Pizza Fusion. 170/365

We spent the day shopping. We needed food for the house after being in Minnesota for nearly a week. We needed a new large suitcase because one large plus three small does not make for happy travelling. We picked up a couple of father's day gifts, some beautiful new sheets for our guest bedroom (hint, hint - Rachel), some scrapbook & craft supplies, some organizational items, and more bird seed and a new feeder. We arrived finally arrived home too late to make a good dinner. We ordered from Pizza Fusion again. The Greek pizza we had last month was fantastic and the BBQ chicken pizza we ordered today was just as good. The best part of ordering this pizza is that the people at Pizza Fusion do everything they can to help save the earth one pizza at a time.

Home Again. 169/365

We had a very quick trip home - even with a connecting flight in Cleveland. We walked right onto the plane after going through security in Minneapolis, then had only a 6-8 minute wait until boarding the plane in Cleveland. This is the worst picture of my 169 posted so far this year, but the girls insisted that I use it anyway.

Tag! 168/365

You're it!

Toss Your Cookies. 167/365

The kids have really gotten into the card games this trip. This is a new one we found at Goodwill today.

Strike! 166/365

Way to go, Matt!

Havin' fun with my sister. 165/365

Dad and his girls. 164/365

Cousins. 163/365

It's been just about a year since these two played together.

Thanks for the Memories. 162/365

This was on the sidewalk at the door of the middle school today. What a perfect sentiment. Jordan just completed her best school year!

Imagination. 161/365

With school winding down and no homework, the girls can finally resume an old favorite - Polly Pocket. They are very good with imaginative play and I am so happy to see it again.

I'm melting. 160/365

We played hooky today and went to Busch Gardens. It was so hot and humid we were melting. Maddie managed to jump in front of a water ride as it landed and was sufficiently splashed but neither Jordan nor I wanted to walk around with wet shorts so we endured the misery. About mid-afternoon, though, all roller coasters were stopped because of the threat of storms. Before we could get out of the park the rain started to fall and more importantly the lightening looked fierce. We took cover after this picture was taken of the girls dancing in the rain.

Wacky Tacky Monday. 159/365

It was quite a coincidence that the girls both had spirit day today with the wacky tacky theme. These were the outfit choices for the day.

New Guy. 158/365

Maddie's friend, Zach, drew a picture of a monster that he was hoping Jordan could make for him. Blood shot eyes, claws on the toes, bendy arrow tail, funky hair - I think she got it!

Kids for a Cure. 157/365

"Hi, I have type 1 diabetes and we're collecting money to help find a cure. Would you like to make a donation?" Can you say no to that? Jordan, along with the other student at her school with diabetes and several friends, spent six hours today raising money for JDRF. This is one of many fundraisers these kids will have before the Walk to Cure Diabetes on September 20th.

8th Grade Dance. 156/365

"The most fun I've ever had anywhere."

Little treasures from the rain. 155/365

It's always fun to look in the yard after several days of rain and see little treasures like this. This one is taller and skinnier than the usual toadstools we grow.

Special Recognition. 154/365

Maddie received special recognition on the televised announcements this morning for her efforts in making her classmates aware of how important it is to recycle. Now they all pitch in and collect recyclables at lunch before they hit the trash cans. Specifically the Frito Lay chip bags and Capri Sun pouches - a company called TerraCycle will turn these items and others into tote bags and other useful items.

98 Degrees. 153/365

Is that boy band still around? It was a scorcher here today! I dreaded walking the half mile to get Jordan at her bus stop and then lugging the wagon with her 20 lb. backpack home. Thankfully Dad was home to carry that load. Since he was willing, Maddie hopped in - but not before she added a seat cushion and a pillow.

Warriors. 152/365

Jordan is ending her term as a Raider and will soon become a Warrior. She had her 9th grade IB orientation tonight.