I just came in after cutting daisies in our yard, that had fallen over and I'm dripping with sweat, it's so hot! This is the third day with a heat advisory and heat indexes over 105. I love the heat though, except if I have to work outside in the yard, pfff!

Yesterday I ran around with Katja and Kai, as Katja woke up with a red eye. Her cousin had thrown a Barbie doll against it on Saturday and it didn't get any better. So off to the eye doctor we went. The good news was no infection, but trauma to the eye, so she can't wear her contacts again until the weekend.

That appointment was at 1:30 and at 2:30 K & K both had an orthodontist appointment about 15 miles away. Amazingly, we made it with 5 minutes to spare! The orthodontist had a good chuckle about my tattoo, thankfully I was able to rub it off after my shower today, it was growing old.

Then to several stores for books and sneakers and what have you.

Rick had a cook out with his co-workers, so I took the kids to Glory Days Grill for dinner. They have the best cheese fries and chicken wings! Ok, not healthy, but sometimes it's fun.

Today I had my hair done and ran around cleaning litter boxes and watering plants and doing laundry. Rick has taken the kids to the new Austin Powers movie, I don't care for it one bit, so a moment of solitude now is nice.

Then Rick and I are going out tonight as he heard today he is getting a promotion at work!!! The first one in about 6 years, so it's very, very exciting and a great affirmation of his hard work.

Tomorrow I'll spend packing up, as we're leaving first thing (*very* first thing, our flight is at 7am) for Beaches at Turks and Caicos. This is going to be the vacation of our lives, I'm so excited!! I can't wait to snorkel and swim in the beautiful Caribbean! Going to a resort like that is something I've dreamed of for years and it's finally happening! We'll be gone until the 12th of August, I doubt I'll have internet access there, but if I find a PC, I'll be sure to update my blog.

The sun is back!!! And how! We have a heat advisory going until Tuesday, meaning temperatures will be in the high 90's, pffff. This is definitely a hot summer so far.

Yesterday was my dad's birthday and my sister and brother in law arrived for a visit. My step nephew, who is Katja's age, is staying here for the night. And I got plenty of smiles out of my little 4 months old nephew. Saskia and I have decided we wouldn't mind keeping him, he's so adorable. And it was really sweet how soft and careful Saskia was with him. I can see very motherly traits in both my girls :).

Before we went to my parents, I took some pictures of the Swallowtail butterflies that visit our Buddleia bush. I got a really great one, to be seen in the "Nature Shots" album at http://community.webshots.com/user/petrarick.

I love seeing those butterflies, they're such a nature miracle. And I felt really bad, when one of them flew against my windshield on the way back from Virginia Beach.

Of course, there is plenty to feel happy about:

1. The singing of the crickets outside, such a summer sound!
2. My husband who just handed me my second cup of coffee
3. Waking up to a sunny, hot day and knowing it will be sunny and hot for several days to come (I still remember the rare hot days in Holland, invariably, the nice weather would be finished in a few days). This type of weather makes me feel so much better!
4. Seeing my sleepy 6 year old come down with her sleeping bag and cuddling up next to me
5. Watching the kittens chase a hornet for me, Snickers caught him