Things continue to be well with my little clan.

I just spent the last four minutes thinking of a cleverer way than “clan” to refer to us, but got stuck when my brain started slaughtering Elton John lyrics (sing it with me … But they’re so spaced out, S-S-S-Savvy and the Jays!)

It’s probably better if I just let the pictures do the talking.

Sunday would have been T-Bo’s 17th birthday. I wasn’t sure what to expect, emotion-wise. My sweet husband did everything he could to make it a nice day – and it was. Naturally, there were some melancholy moments, but for the most part I felt peace. Then yesterday I stumbled upon this entry in a journal I kept in second grade. I was a weird kid who said things in weird ways, but I spoke the truth. That boy made a lot of people happy.

This was us all gussied up for Mother’s Day. Aren’t we charming? Ignore the ugly hair tie on my wrist. Ah crap, I just did that thing, didn’t I?

Here was my awesome present (just arrived today). In the past I got loads of flak from CK’s family for being a TOMS wearer. What do you have to say now, you die-hard Sanukians? I say that when it comes to footwear, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Unless it’s Crocs. Crocs are never acceptable.

We have a separate soaker tub in the master bathroom. It’s nice and all, but my favorite part is how it’s become a convenient place for Chip to play while I shower. I can keep an eye on him while he bangs around all his fancy, high-quality toys, like that package of swim diapers. Can’t say we don’t think out of the box around here.

The solar eclipse was best viewed from My Hometown, but we still got a good look up here. I snapped this picture when CK pointed out that the gaps in the leaves of our tree made pinholes, which subsequently created some pretty cool light projections. Look at all those tiny crescents!

And here’s proof of my acquaintance with the nearby city libraries. It’s been so delicious to curl up with a real non-textbook book for once. Ten points if you can spy the police thriller authored by a fictional character.

I’ve tried a few new recipes, each to great success. I didn’t take pictures because I was too busy shoving the subject of my photography down my gullet. Mmmm. Funny how cooking is easier now; I’ve settled into that comfortable stage where I know where all my stuff is, which stores sell harder-to-find ingredients, when the best times to shop are, and what I really need to set my oven timer to when the recipe calls for 30-35 minutes. For example, today I finally took C.’s recommendation and tried Janssen’s delish homemade ranch dressing, as well as Mel’s banana bread. Dinner was an old favorite of CK’s — Milly’s tried ‘n true chicken and chips recipe — because he was sick and I took pity. Nothing says “love” like foods smothered in cheese. Can I get an amen?

So that’s life. And it’s all right by me.

Currently listening to: Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen (Don’t tell him I told you, but this is totally CK’s jam right now, which is hilarious)